On this page
Our commitment
The department is committed to a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment for every child and young person.
Our policy and procedure
The department’s policy and procedure outline the responsibilities for our staff and volunteers. They also explain how we support gender diverse and intersex children and young people.
- Supporting gender diverse, intersex and sexually diverse children and young people policy (PDF 254 KB)
- Gender diverse and intersex children and young people support procedure (PDF 245 KB)
Specific advice and support for schools and preschools
South Australian government schools and preschools can access advice and support on:
- how to support an individual child or young person
- policy and procedure implementation
- specialist consultancy for extra support for complex situations.
Contact Engagement and Wellbeing to get the support you need.
LGBTQIA+ student voice
There are many students in our schools who identify as LGBTQIA+. These students have unique perspectives and experiences that educators should be aware of and consider in their day-to-day practice.
A video featuring voices of LGBTQIA+ secondary students has been created and will help contribute to informing and supporting educators, leadership and other staff to develop a greater understanding of how to support and include gender diverse, intersex and sexually diverse children and young people in education settings.
‘Being me: LGBTQIA+ inclusion in South Australian schools’ is part of a range of activities taking place to increase the visibility and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ students in South Australian public schools.
Being me: LGBTQIA+ inclusion in South Australian schools
Being me: LGBTQIA+ inclusion in South Australian schools - transcript
I definitely feel quite connected to my school. Since I’ve been at high school I’ve been an openly queer person even before I came out as transmasculine. I would not change my schooling for anything. And I’ve always been supported by my teachers and my peers and stuff like that. So yeah, I really do feel quite connected here.
I feel like Marryatville is a place where my identity is supported. The teachers are super inclusive and stuff. We don’t have too many queer teachers but that’s just the world we live in. We do have some queer teachers though, who are very open and positive about who they are. They also happen to run our pride club. Our gay/straight alliance which is really helpful. Seeing other kids my age like me it’s, you know, really empowering.
A lot of students have experience with bullying and discrimination because they are queer. In this society it’s a part of being queer. It’s a part of growing up being queer, and that’s something has to change. Because it’s me, this is who I am. And why do I have to change that for how you see me?
The Queer Collective is certainly something that give us a space to be who we really are, even if we can’t be it outside The Queer Collective. And we all knew that that was a big impact especially when, people would be changing their pronouns every week. And it was like, “You are allowed to do that, that’s ok.” And that was huge.
So the Seaview Wellbeing Team. Our main aim here is to support students around their learning. It’s around maybe supporting them to navigate some of the challenges in their life. We’re a safe place to come and talk and work on strategies to making them feel more connected to their school community.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and as a gay male, I feel like, I don’t see many of my kind, that’s one thing, especially as a person of colour. Of course within the school’s representation though, we have the Gender Sexuality Alliance and stuff and we celebrate Wear It Purple Day and all those things. But I feel like some work can be done.
Having teachers not stand up for me, and people like me, made me feel different. It made me feel like, it wasn’t right to be the way I am. I think having a rainbow group or a GSA, would have made me realise that it was ok to be the way I am. It would have made me feel more supported, and more connected to the school.
I would like to send a message to our educators that being a part of the LGBTQI+ community is such a big thing. It’s not just something to be overlooked, that we’re such a massive and amazing community and we’re allowed to explore our own identity without being discriminated against. And we shouldn’t feel bad or guilty about ourselves just because we’re trying to figure out who we are as young people.
I’ve been very lucky knowing that I’ve been safe here. The first big group of people I came out to were the LGBTQI+ collective, and that was something that made me feel so safe and so comfortable in a big group of people for the first time. There’s this level of connection that the students have that is something magical, I think.
What it means to me to a part of the queer community is feeling supported by so many people that you don’t necessarily see every day. I think having that connection allows you to form bonds that you didn’t realise you could form.
End of transcript.
Staff training to support gender diverse, intersex and sexually diverse children and young people
Staff in South Australian government schools can access 2 types of professional learning:
Introduction training (online)
The 1-hour online training module is suitable for all staff and covers the essentials. It provides guidance and information on how:
- learning settings can address the needs of children and young people who are gender diverse, intersex and sexually diverse
- to support inclusion through the department’s policy and procedure
- to support them in schools, preschools and care settings.
SA government school staff can register for this training at: introduction training to supporting gender diverse, intersex and sexually diverse children and young people (staff login required).
Advanced training (face-to-face)
The 2-hour face-to-face advanced training is delivered at the school so all staff can attend. It provides knowledge and understanding of:
- inclusion and diversity
- legislative obligations and the department's policy and procedures
- the experiences and issues encountered by children and young people who are gender diverse and sexually diverse
- the learning site's role in supporting social transitioning of a child or young person
- inclusive whole school and individual practices to support gender diverse, intersex and sexually diverse children and young people.
To apply for training, leaders in South Australian government schools can contact Engagement and Wellbeing.
External support and resources for children, young people and families
For parents and families
- Transcend Australia offers peer and family support, information including to support services and medical referrals and other resources.
- Parents of gender diverse children – direct peer support, information, workshops, referrals and resources.
- Parenting SA – parent easy guides.
For young people, and their families and friends
- SHINE SA – counselling, peer support and resources.
- Bfriend (Uniting Communities) – counselling, peer support and resources.
- Qlife – talk to highly experienced staff to explore what is going on in your life, or to talk about someone you care about.
- Women’s and Children’s Hospital (up to 17 years).
