Physical Spaces

Toilets should have accessible facilities for everyone. Gender neutral toilets are a great way to make everyone feel included and can reduce bullying and segregation. There must be at least one toilet in your school which has no specific gender and is in a location that is easy to get to for both pupils and staff.

Remember, accessible toilets will also need to be available for parents and family members who may have needs when they attend meetings or events in the school/setting.

 adapted from INCLUDE: Northern Alliance

In social areas, it is good to keep an eye on how people are being treated and if there are any issues with disrespect towards any of the protected characteristics.

Try and check in with pupils and other staff members often to ensure that nobody is being singled out or just left out because of these things.

adapted from INCLUDE: Northern Alliance

When changing for PE or any other activity, it is important to make sure that all young people feel comfortable.

Try and provide different areas for pupils such as a gender neutral space and a changing area with additional space for children and young people who have physical disabilities or if you can’t, give people who do not wish to change in front of others time before or after everyone else goes in to get changed.

adapted from INCLUDE: Northern Alliance

There will be times when pupils may feel like they are completely overwhelmed and may need a quiet place to ‘breathe’.

Making sure a safe space is known to pupils and that they feel okay asking to use it is a great way of reminding pupils that there is always a place for them in the school, even when things get a bit too much.

Furthermore, make sure pupils are supported in finding areas within your setting that can accommodate any of their needs such as an area for prayers or social areas free of food/drink during Ramadan.

adapted from INCLUDE: Northern Alliance