Combatting homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools through family engagement: A practice example from the RAINBOW HAS UK project

This chapter focuses on some of the findings from a large European project to illustrate how there is a need for much closer collaboration, communication and engagement across those working with situations involving homophobic/transphobic bullying. It discusses the implications for social work where there is tendency for silence on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues. The chapter looks at the context for the English in-country research. It summarises some of the key findings from the biblio-sitography of the UK context and refers to some of the specific themes from the English data as a result of 'Rights through alliances: Innovating and networking both within homes and schools' (RAINBOW-HAS). The chapter provides a short case study on our experience of developing and implementing a family and student led intervention within two secondary schools in an effort to demonstrate some leadership in acknowledging, recognising and responding to this specific form of bullying.