Politicians clash over trans guidance in schools

A politician is challenging the existing guidelines around trans inclusion in Jersey schools.

Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache said the advice was not "fit for purpose" and encouraged children to question their gender identity. But education minister Rob Ward said a proposal put forward to replace existing guidance was "politically motivated" and not based on evidence.

Sir Philip said: "Children who exhibit tendencies towards gender dysphoria are almost invariably very vulnerable," and "their uncertainties and vulnerabilities should not be encouraged by an activist stance".

Ward said "the replacement document directs practitioners to deprioritise the voice of the child".

The proposal to change the current guidance states: "The proposer of this motion has been approached by members of the Women's Rights Network, Jersey (WRNJ) who are unhappy with the Trans Inclusion Guidance."

"Their view is that the existing guidance is too much influenced by a flawed and mis-applied equality and inclusion agenda to the prejudice of safeguarding children in general.

"The aim must surely be to issue guidance which is centred upon safeguarding all children in schools, including those suffering from gender dysphoria."

It went on to say the current guidance was "The existing guidance is muddled and contradictory" and "takes no account of the fundamental changes in approach brought about by the independent review conducted at the request of NHS England by Dr Hilary Cass and her team", know as the Cass Review and published in April 2024.

However, the education minister said: "I am concerned that the proposal appears politically driven rather than grounded in evidence," adding policies must be "rooted in non-discrimination, dignity, and respect".

Ward said "young people had the right to participate in decisions affecting them".

"Existing guidance already provides clear standards on behaviour, bullying prevention and collaborative decision‑making with families and professionals and explicitly excludes medical decision-making from the remit of schools."

He added: "The replacement document directs practitioners to deprioritise the voice of the child, an approach fundamentally at odds with Jersey's statutory requirements, international conventions, and modern safeguarding practice."

Ward added: "Safeguarding must be led by professionals - not politics."

But Sir Philip said safeguarding children's interests "is hardly ever more important than in relation to such children".

He called for a policy with less intervention, and said: "Regrettably, the existing guidance does not embody that approach as a clear recommendation for teachers and staff."

Liberate Jersey said on social media it often saw decisions being made about minority groups "by others".

It said: "In light of the recent proposition concerning inclusion guidance for schools, we strongly encourage States Members to engage with individuals with lived experience and their advocates, in order to have a full understanding of how this proposition could shift the objective and impact from inclusion to exclusion."

The States is due to debate the proposal on 24 February at the earliest.

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