Parents should be consulted when children question gender identity, schools told
New government guidance for teachers says parents should be involved in the “vast majority” of cases where a child questions their gender.
It is also stated that schools should seek the views of parents unless there is a justification and should always take into account the clinical advice received by families.
The Department for Education has proposed legally binding guidelines on how schools should support children questioning their gender.
The draft document states that schools should have single-sex areas and that children over eight on trips should not share toilets or make mixed-gender sleeping arrangements.
The guidance also warns that there are no exceptions for single-sex facilities, including toilets and changing rooms, in schools and colleges. Single-sex sports also need to be protected.
However, schools were given some flexibility in how they handled issues such as children’s names and uniforms.
Teachers should not initiate steps toward social transition when students change their name, pronouns, or clothing to reflect their gender identity, but instead carefully consider what other support a child may need.
The guidance says a child’s birth gender should be recorded in school and university records.
The new guidance comes from Dr, who conducted a review of gender services for young people and supported the new advice. Hilary was influenced by Cass’ advice.
A consultation on updates to the safeguarding guidance will take place over 10 weeks.
School head unions welcomed the publication of the guidance.
Education Minister Bridget Phillipson said other proposed changes would include advice on mobile phone use, child sexual abuse, misogyny, gangs and serious violence.
Ms Phillipson said: “Parents send their children to school and university trusting that they will be protected. Teachers work tirelessly to keep them safe. This is non-negotiable and this is not a political football.”
An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Children must be at the center of these discussions and the final guidance. At Childline, we hear from young people who are questioning their gender identity, are afraid, confused and don’t know who they can turn to.”
“The government needs to hear from these children in particular to ensure their experiences are reflected in the guidance so that all children can feel safe and benefit from an inclusive education.”
