Brighton & Hove’s trans guidance for schools leaves no one behind

Councillors will review an updated version of Brighton & Hove’s Trans Inclusion Toolkit at the next Children, Young People & Skills committee on 14 June 2021.

The toolkit is one of several guides produced by Brighton & Hove City Council around safeguarding, equality and anti-bullying policies that support the whole school community. Advice is for trans inclusion work to be applied within an equalities framework that prevents gender stereotyping and sexism.

The kit was originally produced in 2013 to support children and young people whose gender identity did not align with their gender registered at birth.

An updated version of the document has been created following further, recent consultation with parents, carers, school governors and year 10 pupils. 

Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee, Hannah Clare says: “This is an important element of work to ensure all pupils in our city’s schools feel safe and supported.

“Supporting trans children is just one vital part of continued efforts to tackle any form of discrimination.

“We want all pupils to feel comfortable in their own skin so they can make the most of all that education offers and flourish into being the very best version of themselves.

“Many of our schools are already working to ensure that their environment and curriculum celebrates all children and their families. This Toolkit provides guidance on how to ensure trans members of the community feel equally welcome, represented and safe in our city.

A joint Notice of Motion about trans inclusion was agreed by Brighton & Hove’s Green, Labour and Conservative groups at a full council meeting in January 2021.