Teachers should respond to social transition requests with caution under new gender guidance for schools

Schools and colleges will soon have clear and pragmatic guidance instructing them that they must take a very careful approach when a child asks to socially transition.

The government plans to embed this draft guidance within Keeping Children Safe in Education. This is the established statutory safeguarding framework schools are expected to follow. It believes that, in doing so, legal duties will be absolutely clear.

Evidence, safeguarding and the Cass review

Baroness Cass’ review warned that strong evidence about the impact of social transition remains limited. She backs the guidance, believing that children’s wellbeing and safeguarding must be at the centre of every decision. Schools cannot take a one size fits all approach.

The guidance makes it clear that schools must protect single‑sex spaces. No child should ever feel unsafe because of inappropriate mixed‑sex sport. There should be no sharing of school and college toilet facilities over eight years old. There should also be no mixed sex sleeping arrangements on trips.  

The government believes schools and teachers should be aware of any child’s birth sex. This will allow them to take appropriate action where needed. Therefore, the guidance requires schools and colleges to record this accurately in their records.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

“Parents send their children to school and college trusting that they’ll be protected. Teachers work tirelessly to keep them safe. That’s not negotiable, and it’s not a political football.  

“This is about pragmatic support for teachers, reassurance for parents, and above all, the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.”  

The guidance also determines that schools should always consider any clinical advice the family has received. The school should seek parents’ views unless there is a genuine safeguarding reason not to.

KCSIE is kept under regular review to make sure it is meeting the need of schools, colleges and families. It allows for further changes as new evidence emerges. It is already used by teachers and schools and colleges every day. The latest iteration includes strengthened guidance and guardrails on issues central to children’s safety from violence and harassment to online risks and mental health.

Dr Hilary Cass, author of the Cass Review, said: 

“The safety and wellbeing of the child must be at the heart of any decision when a young person is questioning their gender. Schools, parents and government share this fundamental responsibility.

“Integrating this guidance within Keeping Children Safe in Education ensures this. It places this work alongside other duties to protect children, on a clear statutory footing, with proper accountability for all involved.”

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“Schools and colleges have done a very good job in dealing with this complex and sensitive issue over the course of many years, striving to create inclusive environments for all their young people. But they have had to do so amid an often-polarised public debate.

“We have long called for clear, pragmatic and well-evidenced national guidance to support them in this area and we are pleased to have reached this point.”

Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“We welcome the publication of this guidance for consultation, as there is a clear need for greater clarity about how schools should manage this sensitive issue and support their pupils.

“It is important to remember that individual children and young people are at the heart of this, and schools remain focused on ensuring that every child in their care is safe and treated with compassion and humanity.”