Our work in schools and advice for professionals
In April 2015, Barnardo’s secured government funding to tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic (HBT) bullying in schools in Leeds and Wakefield.
Our programme provided face-to-face support for children and young people, and training for staff, with a focus on cultural issues. It also aimed to build schools’ capacity to understand HBT bullying and deal with it effectively, as well as increase the visibility, respect and understanding of young people who are LGBT+.
Our two lead schools were Outwood Grange Academy in Wakefield and Temple Moor High School in Leeds.
Based on our work in these schools, we provide the following services:
- One-to-one support for students, on a drop-in basis
- Group support sessions offering LGBT+ young people and their friends a safe space
- Weekly drop-in clinics for young people who experience or are involved in HBT bullying
- Summer activities to support young people and increase their confidence
- Delivery of Barnardo’s SafeZone identity training to teaching and non-teaching staff
- Training for school leaders and governors on the impact of HBT bullying
- Support for community and faith leaders to find ways to address HBT bullying where it involves issues relating to faith, culture and religion
Accepting different sexualities
As a school, it's important you do not consider heterosexuality to be ‘the norm’ and that different sexualities and genders are covered across the curriculum.
Your staff may not be familiar with different sexualities and gender identities. It would be helpful to provide training in this area so they feel comfortable supporting LGBT+ young people and are able to promote tolerance and support among students.
Creating a safe space
Visible signs of support will help LGBT+ students feel safe in school. As well as posters and leaflets, you may want to consider a pledge that staff and students can make to be an ally and stand up against HBT behaviour.
Staff members that agree to be allies could research local support organisations, set up an LGBT+ group in school or lead on developing the curriculum in their area to incorporate LGBT+ issues.
Supporting trans young people
It is important that trans young people are able to be the gender with which they identify. They have as much right as anyone else and are protected by law.
If you have not had a trans young person or staff member in school before, it may feel like a difficult and unknown subject matter.
The most important thing is to ask the young person what they need and what they want to happen. Under the Equality Act, they have a right to lead on issues such as what name they go by, their clothing, the toilets and changing rooms they use and how much information they want to be shared with others.