Develop inclusive policies and systems, and procedures
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Design inclusive school-wide systems and processes’
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Policy protection
Policy protection
… policy based protection in schools is one of the strongest protective factors for same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse young people.
Hillier et al. (2010)
Review your policies
Review your policies
Review your school’s policies and procedures to identify if they explicitly mention and are inclusive of sex, sexuality and intersex and gender diverse students, staff and families.
Students feel safer in a school with inclusive policies which include:
- inclusive school vision and values
- equitable enrollment policies
- anti-bullying policies
- gender-neitral uniform policies
- equitable toilet and changing area policies
- optional participation in sporting teams and activities
- discrimation-free school-wide events eg camps, balls, outside trips.
Review ENROL and SMS procedures
Review ENROL and SMS procedures
Ensure your systems are accurate.
Support students by:
- using “known as” name on the ENROL system
- acknowledging a student's identity – developing systems and protocols for inputting the correct information as expressed by the student
- making changes to the ENROL system and informing NZQA when a student acquires a new birth certificate with a new identity
- having a student’s preferred name and gender on attendance rolls, and notifying relieving teachers
- entering the student’s name and gender of preference in your school’s SMS
- updating all SMS school records when a student’s name has been legally changed.
Design respectful transition approaches
Design respectful transition approaches
In partnership with students, create effective, respectful ways to share information about students between teachers and between schools.
Consider how you:
- maintain the privacy and confidentiality of all student information
- discuss with the student, parent, or whānau any considerations regarding the sharing of information (including self-disclosure)
- decide what information needs to be shared and with whom
- gain consent if student information needs to be shared
- ensure a student’s preferred name and gender is entered correctly on school management systems and classroom rolls
- induct new staff, students, and families on the school’s safety and wellbeing policies, programmes, and procedures.
Source: Diversity in Queensland schools – Information for principals (opens in a new tab/window)
Create rainbow-inclusive policies and procedures
Create rainbow-inclusive policies and procedures
Useful resources
Useful resources
Leadership commitment to a safe school
This Australian website provides resources to support schools to develop a shared understanding and ownership of policies and procedures that support student safety and wellbeing.
Publisher: Education Services Australia
Guide to hosting inclusive school formals
This pamphlet provides practical guidelines to help make your school event safe, inclusive, and fun for all students. Developed by Australia’s Safe Schools Coalition.
Publisher: Education Services Australia
BullyingfreeNZ
This guide supports schools to create safe and positive learning environments. It aims to help prevent bullying behaviour and provides practical advice on what to do when bullying occurs. It also includes a section on whole-school approaches.
Publisher: BullyingFree NZ
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Design inclusive school-wide systems and processes”:
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Current page Develop inclusive policies and systems
Return to the guide “Supporting LGBTQIA+ students”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: LGBTQIA+ students
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Build knowledge of sex, gender, and sexuality diversityShow suggestions for Build knowledge of sex, gender, and sexuality diversity
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Design inclusive school-wide systems and processesShow suggestions for Design inclusive school-wide systems and processes
- Engage with community
- Develop inclusive policies and systems
- Create safe, inclusive environments with students
- Provide support systems
- Support and resource sexuality and gender education
- Provide professional learning
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Address immediate environmental, physical and social needsShow suggestions for Address immediate environmental, physical and social needs
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Develop an inclusive classroom and curriculumShow suggestions for Develop an inclusive classroom and curriculum
