Quick Query re SSAUK template on school loos

[AniseDanehill]

Could someone please let me know if the points in SSAUK's document on toilet provision in schools also applies in an FE context or are the requirements different in a college. I have a meeting next week with SLT to discuss the replacement of female toilets with mixed sex loos. Many thanks in advance.

[persistentwoman]

Don't have the answer OP but most Colleges have secondary school age children on site at times so all the normal safeguarding rules must apply? I believe there are Workplace rules about offering single sex toilets ? (someone on here will have a link)
And maybe at a time when women's safety is being talked about, isn't removing one of the essential tools for maintaining women's privacy and safety a bit tone deaf at the moment?

[Xanthangum]

I would imagine they apply if you are a traditional FE college rather than a private training provider or employer, but then I should add I'm not an SSA representative.

If your provision includes 16-18 I would definitely think it applies.

[titchy]

Ask them why they decided the female loos were to be mixed sex and not the male loos? Ask them for their equality impact assessment. Ask them how Muslim female students will be able to adjust their headwear out of the sight of males.

[FemaleAndLearning]

Safe Schools Alliance are usually very quick to respond via messenger on their Facebook page.

[ValancyRedfern]

I think the rules for single sex toilets apply to both schools and workplaces, so I'd be surprised if FE colleges are exempt.

[titchy]

Are there separate staff toilets? Are they also going to become mixed sex? If not then safeguarding issue - allows male staff who identify as female to use the same toilets as teenage girls. Not a good look.

[AniseDanehill]

Thanks for the responses. This is my first thread; longtime lurker. I am so angry!!! Especially as the news was broken in an email to staff telling us we weren't allowed to talk about and not to make a fuss!

There aren't separate staff loos; there are 16-18s onsite.

[persistentwoman]

Is the College a stonewall champion? The no debate and silencing sound very familiar tactics?

[AniseDanehill]

Persistentwoman no, not Stonewall but they have recently signed up with a different equality and diversity body.

[gardenbird48]

I would be furious too op. It is quite shocking that they are repurposing the female toilets but not the male (have I got that right?) so they are doubling up on provision for the male staff and students and removing all single sex provision for female staff and students. Absolutely unbelievable.

I assume it applies here as it is a workplace but this link specifies that employers must provide single sex facilities (I can't get onto the HSE website as it is down for maintenance)

Good luck with your pushback - that is absolutely disgusting behaviour!!

worksmart.org.uk/health-advice/where-you-work/toilets-and-washrooms/does-my-employer-have-provide-separate-male-and

[AniseDanehill]

GardenBird thanks for the link. I'll read the information carefully. I just want to be sure of my ground before the meeting.