Following the Cass Review Final Report April 2024 an independent review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People in England. The DFE have produced some non-statutory guidance for schools to to help them navigate challenges which may arise when supporting CYP who have socially transitioned. The draft is currently review but a summary of the guidance can be found here linked with specific questions schools may be facing.
The Guidance highlights 5 key principles:
- Schools and colleges have statutory duties to safeguard and promote the welfare
of all children. - Schools and colleges should be respectful and tolerant places where bullying is
never tolerated. - Parents should not be excluded from decisions taken by a school or college
relating to requests for a child to ‘socially transition’. - Schools and colleges have specific legal duties that are framed by a child’s
biological sex. - There is no general duty to allow a child to ‘social transition’.
The National Education Union also provide advice to help school and college staff support gender questioning students in education.
Resources for schools
Healthy schools have produced a Trans, Non-Binary & Gender Questioning Padlet which contains posters, activities and links to wider organisations and resources to support transgender inclusion and gender diversity.
Stonewall a charity which works to promote access to LGBTQ-inclusive education for every young person have produced a guide for schools around creating an LGBT-inclusive primary curriculum.
The Trevor project offers LGBTQ+ community resources including specific guides for schools and resources about gender identity.
Further information on support, resources and organisations available to support LGBTQ+ young people including with their mental health and wellbeing can be found on our LGBTQIA+ and young people webpage.
Books for children and young people
Last updated: 14/05/2024