Open Doors Youth ServiceOpen Doors Youth ServiceCREATING SAFER, MORE INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS TOGETHER.
Open Doors Youth Service (ODYS) works alongside schools to strengthen their capacity to support LGBTQIA+ young people.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience supporting LGBTQIA+ young people, our school support brings together specialist knowledge, practical strategies and the experiences of the young people we work alongside. All our work with schools is free of charge.
Whether your school is looking to build staff confidence, strengthen support for trans and gender diverse students, or create more opportunities for LGBTQIA+ young people to connect and belong, ODYS can help.
LGBTQIA+ students in Queensland face significant challenges. Writing Themselves in 4, a national survey of LGBTQIA+ young people aged 14 – 21 found:
HOW WE CAN HELP
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Build the knowledge, confidence and practical skills of teachers, school leaders, guidance officers and other school staff to better understand and support LGBTQIA+ young people. Our professional development explores identity, affirming practice, inclusive language and practical strategies that staff can apply within their everyday work with students.
TRANS & GENDER DIVERSE INCLUSION
Every young person deserves to feel safe, respected and included at school.
ODYS provides specialist consultation to help schools confidently support trans and gender diverse students. We can work alongside school staff to navigate individual student needs and strengthen inclusive approaches across the broader school environment.
FREE RESOURCES
Pride groups can provide an important space for LGBTQIA+ students to connect with peers, celebrate identity and build a sense of belonging at school. ODYS provides free resources, activities and practical tools to support school-based Pride and LGBTQIA+ groups and the staff who facilitate them.
SUPPORT THAT MEETS YOUR SCHOOL WHERE IT IS
Every school community is different. Our approach is collaborative, practical and tailored to the needs of your students, staff and school community. From a single professional development session through to ongoing consultation and resources, ODYS can work with your school to create environments where LGBTQIA+ young people feel safe, supported, connected and proud of who they are.
“INCREDIBLE facilitators, I was sad for it to end – wish it was a 2 dayer! They created a safe environment for us to ask questions and not know things which is so important. They were understanding of the variation in our roles and were able to explain how we all play an important part in creating a safe environment.”
“Fabulous presenters who gave 110% in delivering with such grace, humility and care. Thank you for making the experience today a comfortable one and something I am excited to share with my friends and family.”
We can facilitate a stall at your school health, wellbeing or LGBTQIASB+ event. We love being out in schools and connecting with your school community! We try to get out to as many schools as possible but certain days are highly requested (i.e. IDAHOBIT, Mental Health Week, Wear It Purple Day) we have limited capacity around these dates, so please plan and register early to avoid disappointment.
Open Doors Youth Service Inc. acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First people and Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters where we meet, live, learn and work. We acknowledge and celebrate the rich and thriving diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the oldest continuing living cultures in the world.