Question reference: S5W-35656
- Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 2 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 11 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development and publication of updated guidance for schools in supporting transgender children and young people.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to improving the lives of trans and non-binary people in Scotland. Trans people continue to suffer poorer outcomes relative to the wider population, and this needs to change.
We are committed to ensuring that all children and young people are supported in school and are able to reach their full potential, including transgender young people. We committed to develop guidance to support schools to do this.
Due to the significant impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, schools are very focused on supporting pupils and are working hard on the phased return of schools. Consequently, we feel it would not be the best time to provide this guidance when attention is on ensuring the continued safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff during the pandemic. Therefore guidance will be published when all pupils have returned to school, or at the earliest opportunity in the new Parliamentary term. Education Authorities and schools should continue to use resources and guidance that they have determined responds positively to the needs of all pupils.