'Schools shouldn't tell parents if children come out as trans', Chief Rabbi ... trends now
The Chief Rabbi previously issued guidance to schools telling them they should not tell children's parents if they come out as trans at school due to safeguarding risks, amid fears transgender pupils could face transphobia and abuse from home.
The guidance states that 'any information about staff or pupil sexuality or gender identity should be treated as confidential' - but the Chief Rabbi's office added this only refers to disclosures around identity and not to changes of pronouns or names.
The publication, which has been in force since 2018 without issue, described how informing parents of a child's sexuality or gender identity 'can itself be a safeguarding risk', as teachers can never know how a parent will react.
The Office says that a disclosure about being a member of the LGBT+ community should not be shared with anyone.
It comes as the Department for Education is due to publish its own guidelines to schools on pupils questioning their gender identity by the end of the school term.
Britain's Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis's office released guidance in 2018 which recognised the serious risks to children questioning their sexuality or gender identity at home
A spokesperson for the Chief Rabbi's Office said: 'Teachers must of course communicate with parents but think carefully about how and when this is done'
In a section discussing how teachers should treat a disclosure around sexuality or gender identity, the guidance states: 'All staff should be clear that a pupil coming out is not a safeguarding issue.
'They have simply shared an aspect of their identity.
'Like any other personal information, any information about staff or pupil sexuality or gender identity should be treated as confidential.
'Unless there is a risk of harm, this should not be disclosed to anyone, including their parents.
'Making a pupil's parents aware of their child's sexuality and gender identity can itself be a safeguarding risk, particularly as the school cannot know how parents or carers might react.
'However, if the young person has shared that they have been threatened or are at risk of harm because of other people's reactions to their sexuality or gender identity, this should be discussed with the school's designated safeguarding lead, and advice can be sought from local children's services.'
It also discusses offering support to children who come from LGBT+ families
