LGBT inclusive education: guidance

Further Information

Child Protection

When delivering LGBT inclusive education, some of the learning and teaching content may lead to individual learners wishing to discuss particular issues or experiences with staff. For example, if learners are engaging with lessons about prejudice or bullying, this may provide them with the confidence to disclose their own experiences.

Using a Getting It Right For Every Child approach to supporting wellbeing, it is important for all staff to be aware of how to handle this in a supportive and safe manner. Staff should be aware of standard safeguarding procedures, how to manage disclosures, and how to appropriately signpost for further support. This should be included in your school’s Child Protection Policy. The National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland provides information as to how to proceed if there is a risk of harm to a child or young person.

All children and young people have a right to privacy. Young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender can often worry about people disclosing information about their identity to others. Staff should be aware of the potential consequences for a young person if their identity is shared without their consent and not in accordance with data protection law. However, there may be times when this is necessary in order to protect them, for example if a young person is taking part in an unsafe relationship or their safety is at risk because of who they are.

In such circumstances, staff have a duty of care to act on their concerns. Learners should be informed and, where possible, involved in any decision making affecting them. They should understand what is happening and why. It is important to ensure the young person involved is fully supported.

Additional information in this area is included in Part 4 of the Stage 1 E-Learning module.

LGBT Inclusive Education and withdrawal

Guidance on the teaching of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) education makes clear that parents and carers may have the option to withdraw their child(ren) from from all or part of a planned sexual health education programme as part of RSHP. This is usually considered when a parent or carer has had the opportunity to consider the topics which will be considered as part of the curriculum. There are no similar terms on which withdrawal can be requested from LGBT Inclusive Education learning.

Where LGBT-related content or themes arise as part of the curriculum in the delivery of broader Experiences and Outcomes (for example, a text which includes a gay character during planned learning in Literacy or learning about rights movements in Social Studies), it would not be possible for a withdrawal request to be granted. This is because it does not relate to a sexual health education programme as part of RSHP. Learning related to LGBT inclusive education is part of the broader curriculum and will be included across curriculum areas.

Resources and information regarding learning content and outcomes can be shared with parents and carers. This can support an understanding of the purpose of LGBT inclusive education and the school’s approach to it – which should be connected to school values and form part of a broader ethos of providing an inclusive education about all of the protected characteristics.

Parentclub provides a range of information for parents and carers about LGBT and Gender Identity, including sources of support, advice and information.

Signposting and Support

Support is available for schools to implement LGBT inclusive education effectively. Signposting to relevant national organisations, and a range of guidance can be found at National Guidance and Signposting – LGBT Inclusive Education | National Platform (lgbteducation.scot).