Barnardo training

[Mooncupdotcom]

Doing barnardo training at work soon.
What should I be preparing for?
Their website doesn't fill me with confidence....

No one?

It's an educational establishment.

Planning questions on how their advice fits with our safeguarding, PE lessons, accommodation, gender stereotypes.

We've been sent a questionnaire in advance which seems odd. 'How far do we promote lgbtq identities in our lessons?'???

They have been stonewalled so expect safeguarding and common sense to be ignored.

You shouldn't be promoting any identities.

Barnardos is very worrying with regard to safeguarding and gender identity imo. A few years ago they set up a 'Positive Identities Service' and developed resources to be used in assemblies or lessons for both Primary and Secondary school children. During these assemblies they promote the idea that everyone has a gender identity and they have used the 'genderbread person' to explain the concept. This is what they have said about toilets and changing rooms in a quiz that they have at the end of their following presentation.

Question - True or False: Trans young people are not allowed to use the toilets or changing rooms of the gender with which they identify?
False: There is nothing that should prohibit a trans young person from using the changing room or toilet of their gender identity. It is in fact their right that if the Trans young person wants to use the facilities of their new gender, they should be able to do so.

They do not appear to me to consider the needs and rights of girls and I find it particularly awful that this includes no consideration of the very specific needs of girls who have previously been traumatised by sexual abuse. These are girls that Barnardos should have particular concern and care for, given that one of the major remits of their charity is to help children who have been abused. Barnardos will know that research shows that vast majority of sexually abused children will feel unable to seek help or explain their needs during their childhood.

Barnardos should consider it a serious safeguarding concern that vulnerable girls who feel deeply worried, frightened or distressed about sharing spaces such as toilets, changing rooms or bedrooms with males will potentially be forced to do so on a regular basis and be left to cope with the probable emotional consequences of that alone.

This is certainly not my only safeguarding concern that I have about the Barnardos approach to gender identity.

www.pshe-association.org.uk/sites/default/files/u26918/Barnardo%27s%20Secondary%20School%20Reource%20Pack%20Final.pdf

Does the questionnaire also include questions about how to support sex/disability related equality in the lessons?

@MIdgebabe
No, just lgbt

@ChickenonaMug
Thanks for the link. Lots of 'assigned at birth' stuff.

Really dreading it. Feel obliged to speak up but nervous.

Good luck. I’m waiting for the day my work come up with this shit

I'm just checking the recommended reading list for primary schools on that link - seriously what? Some of them look good, although I haven't read them, but I do feel so sorry for the kids who have to navigate all this at such a young age, what are we asking of them? I'm appalled that Barnardos is pushing this, I shouldn't be shocked but I am.

Let us know how it goes OP, hope you can speak up but understand if you feel it's not possible.

Suggestion to you OP: ask lots of questions regarding safeguarding. LOTS of them.

Yes, ask lots of questions, but play it dumb. Act like this is the first you’re hearing of this and get them to explain any jargon in simple terms... the whole thing will crumble before everyone’s eyes!