Statement on ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance

The Department of Education new statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, for schools and colleges in England came into effect on 1 September 2026. It sets out the legal duties that schools and colleges must comply with to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18.

We welcome the guidance continuing to emphasise child-centred safeguarding. At Brunswick, our priority is the safety, wellbeing and dignity of LGBTQ+ children and young people. As such, we do have concerns about some of the guidance relating to gender identity, social transition and parental involvement.

These are complex and sensitive issues, and we believe they need to be considered carefully in the context of each individual young person, their circumstances, wishes and safeguarding needs.

Brunswick is developing a more detailed response to the updated guidance and we will share this in due course to support schools, colleges, professionals, young people and families across Kirklees and Calderdale to navigate these changes.

Transgender and gender-questioning young people deserve to be listened to, treated with dignity, and protected from harm. 

Safeguarding should always support young people to feel safe asking for help.

The links below provide a range of important and helpful information and guidance:

GIRES: KCSIE 2026: Supporting Trans+ and Gender-Questioning Pupils in Schools 

Mermaids: ‘Keeping Children Safe In Education’ Guidance: An Explainer for Trans Children and Young People and their Parents and Carers

Anne Health: New Keeping Children Safe in Education (KSCIE) guidance: We’ve been here before

NSPC: Gillick competence and Fraser guidelines