Uniting Achieves Rainbow Tick Accreditation for their Aged Care Services

Uniting is the first large and first faith-based aged care provider in Australia to be recognised for its true commitment to serving the ageing LGBTI communities.

Through the Rainbow Tick Accreditation, LGBTI people have the reassurance that Uniting will not only protect their rights, but embrace them.

Uniting has been judged against strict standards set by Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria. Organisations that are Rainbow Tick accredited are demonstrating their commitment to LGBTI pride, diversity and inclusion. They are letting their LGBTI clients, staff and community know that they will receive inclusive services from the moment they walk inside.

Uniting opened its doors to the QIP accreditation team by providing a comprehensive response to each of the standards and having six assessors visit 30 sites over eight days.

This recognition follows Uniting’s achievement of being included in Pride in Diversity’s Top 20 Employers in Australia for LGBTI people in 2015. With the combination of the Rainbow Tick and its Pride and Diversity status Uniting is truly a leading advocate and provider of services to older members of the LGBTI communities. 

Director of Ageing at Uniting, Steve Teulan said, “This achievement has been one of the proudest moments of my career. It reflects the wonderful Uniting Church values of a passionate commitment to social justice and the celebration of diversity.

"It represents four years of hard work by our people to ensure that we are equipped to serve older members of the LGBTI communities. We have also received extraordinary assistance from LGBTI organisations, in particular ACON and the Gender Centre," he said.

“The journey that Uniting went on to reach this point taught us so much about ourselves, but showed us that there is much more we still need to do. We hope that our achievement of the Rainbow Tick will encourage other providers in their development of inclusive services.

"Our greatest hope is that in the next decade the aged care sector will be inclusive so that all older members of the LGBTI communities seeking aged care services will no longer have a reason to fear discrimination or lack of sensitivity and understanding.” Mr Teulan concluded. 

Melanie Dicks, Chair of the Uniting LGBTI Working Group said, “It means so much to me to work for an organisation that is so committed to achieving truly inclusive services.

"There is nothing more that we strive for each day than to ensure everyone feels free to live the life they choose. We are here for everyone, no matter who they are, what they do, or who they love.”

The Director of GLHV Liam Leonard said it was fabulous to see Uniting, a major aged care provider showing such leadership, “Many older LGBTI people have been discriminated against for much of their life. Well done to everyone involved at Uniting for gaining Rainbow Tick accreditation.

"It’s a fabulous achievement and sign of Uniting’s commitment and capacity to provide LGBTI inclusive aged and community care services.  GLHV is proud to be associated with the Rainbow Tick program and we hope that other faith-based providers follow Uniting’s lead.”

Health care providers must meet rigorous criteria to get a Rainbow Tick of approval:

• Embeds inclusive LGBTI practices across the organisation
• Manages risks to ensure the cultural safety of LGBTI clients
• Ensures staff are confident about LGBTI practices
• Ensures LGBTI clients are consulted on and participate in the development services
• Ensures LGBTI consumers feel safe to disclose personal information
• Welcomes and intakes LGBTI clients

Click here to find out more about Uniting's aged care services.