Advice on teaching same-sex relationships welcomed

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In a letter to the Sunday Herald, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Tam Baillie, welcomed the guidance issued last week by the Scottish Government.

The guidelines on Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Education (RSHPE), last updated 14 years ago, were revised most notably to include teaching about same-sex relationships and civil partnerships.

The letter, signed by 26 children’s and health organisation chiefs, read: “We strongly support this new guidance which applies to all children and young people in all schools and helps to equip them with full, accurate and evidence-based information; promotes respectful and compassionate attitudes that recognise the impact that gender stereotypes can have upon relationships; and supports safe, informed, responsible and healthy choices about their relationships and emotional and sexual health and wellbeing.”

Signatories included Jackie Brock, chief executive of Children in Scotland; Martin Crewe, director of Barnado’s Scotland; Dr Miles Mack, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners; and Mhairi McMillan of LGBT Youth Scotland.

Heads from the EIS, Scottish Youth Parliament and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health were also among those who supported the new guidelines.

Acknowledging the role ­teaching staff have in informing ­children about relationships and sex education, the letter added: “As was indicated by the Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS), the commitment identified in the guidance to professional, equitable and non-judgmental classroom practice is the right framework in which to take forward the provision of education, including on issues some teachers may find difficult to address.

“We welcome the focus on the need for high-quality training for teachers and support staff, which should be delivered in collaboration with school nurses, youth workers, voluntary sector agencies and other public health professionals, so that they feel comfortable and supported in the delivery of positive lessons relating to RSHPE education.”

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