From a Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA) Spokesperson

From a Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA) Spokesperson:

The continued discussion against the Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA) has made a series of false claims. These claims are contributing to ongoing misinformation.

The SSCA program resources and content are all publically available and we encourage anyone who wants to find out more about the program to see the SSCA website here and the parent fact sheet here.

The SSCA program delivers free, approved support services and resources to high school teachers to equip them with the knowledge and skills to make their school environments more inclusive for LGBTI young people. We have provided professional development training to over 25,000 teachers.

Participation in the Safe Schools Coalition Australia is voluntary for all schools. No schools are forced to join Safe Schools or use any of the resources and schools looking to become formal members need to have parental consent.

We do not advocate for specific policies, but instead work with teachers to build a safer, more inclusive environment for their students at school leaderships discretion. This may include:

• Professional development for school staff;
• Guidance and support for teachers around specific issues and concerns or for schools to support individual students upon request;
• Printed and digital approved resources for teachers that provide the information and tools to respond to bullying and discrimination;
• Support to ensure the schools curriculum and practices are inclusive to students who are same sex attracted, gender diverse or intersex;
• Support for schools in reviewing or introducing anti-bullying or diversity policies to be safer and more inclusive.

Schools may have ongoing specific requests for staff support or further resources which can be made via phone or email.

The only in classroom resource SSCA offers is the evidence-based All Of Us unit guide which was written by education experts. If teachers decide to use this resource school leadership must obtain consent from the relevant parental body.

All Of Us and the SSCA program aim to increase the knowledge, understanding and awareness of the whole school community of the needs and issues faced by LGBTI young people. Suggested activities in All Of Us are common teaching tools, designed to build empathy, understanding and tolerance.