Commenting on the draft Department for Education
(DfE) guidance for schools and colleges on gender
questioning children, the consultation on which closes
today, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT
– The Teachers’ Union, said:
"Schools and colleges, quite legitimately, have sought
advice and guidance from the government about how they
can best provide care and support for gender questioning
children. They have requested clarification on the expectations
ministers have of them in this respect. They have asked for
advice that ensures they give priority to the best interests of
these children, as they seek to do with all children. They have
also continued to request guidance that reflects the reality of
the circumstances they and such children and their families face.
Schools and colleges need guidance that includes sensible and
credible interpretations of their legal duties.
"However, the DfE's draft guidance falls short of what
schools and colleges have a right to expect from the Government.
“Teachers and headteachers need to be confident that following
guidance from the Government will not conflict with other legal
and statutory obligations, such as the Equality Act 2010, or
Keeping Children Safe in Education safeguarding laws.
“In our view, the draft guidance fails to provide effective
support on practical issues that schools and colleges may face,
including on working with children who have already
transitioned with the support of their families. It also fails to
address the issue that teachers, schools and colleges rarely have
access to adequate support on these matters from external
agencies.
"We urge the Government to consider fully the concerns raised in
response to this consultation. The draft guidance should be
withdrawn and replaced with guidance that provides meaningful and
appropriate information and advice that enables schools and
colleges to act with confidence in what is a complex and
sensitive aspect of their work."
Notes to Editors
NASUWT’s full consultation
response on the DfE’s draft guidance for schools and colleges on
gender questioning children can be found on the list here.
For further examination of the manner in which the draft guidance
may conflict with schools’ and colleges’ responsibilities under
the Equality Act 2010, please see points 27-31 in the
consultation response.
For further examination of the manner in which the draft guidance
may conflict with schools’ and colleges’ responsibilities under
the Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance, please
see points 33-35 in the consultation response.
