Minutes: June 2005
Wednesday 8th June 2005
held at Civic Offices Committee Room 2
1. Present
Christine, Chris, Ken, Cllr David Wren, Bob Basley SBC, Rita Glen-Gallo SBC, Gillian Morris SBC, Kathleen Daley SBC.
2. Apologies
Sue, Jane, Cllr Doreen Dart
Christine chaired the meeting in the absence of the Chair and Deputy Chair.
3. Minutes of last meeting and matters arising
With one amendment under Any Other Business point 6 - Christine meant the Council were not discussing the Transgender issue - these were agreed as a correct record.
Matters Arising
Response to the Issue Sheet regarding guidance given to staff about Gender Realignment Legislation was circulated.
ACTION: a copy of the response to be sent out with the minutes.
4. Consultation on New Grants Criteria – Gillian Morris
Gillian gave Anne Fisher’s apologies as she was on leave. She explained that they had been asked to take this consultation to all of the Coalitions this year.
One of the key changes within the criteria is from an annual to a 3-year funding programme. The suggested criteria that groups should meet before they are eligible is listed on page one. Another key change is the move from 3 to 5 categories for grant applications – Promoting Social Inclusion, Promoting Equality, Voluntary & Community Infrastructure Support, Promoting Community Cohesion and Neighbourhood-based Community Support.
Finally on the feedback sheet we have asked organisations if they think this revised criteria would have any adverse impact on equality communities.
All feedback received would be passed to Councillors so please encourage any community groups to fill in the feedback form.
5. Bob Basley and Rita Glen-Gallo, SBC Education Department attended the meeting to respond to questions raised at the last meeting:
1. Do teachers receive training to challenge homophobic bullying in schools?
Bob advised that teachers receive training in addressing bullying as a generic issue and the Social Health programme particularly is pro-active on the preventative side of things. ‘Don’t Suffer in Silence’ package has been used in secondary schools a lot and is now going into primary schools. Katrina Carpenter has undertaken training in Health & Well Being using ‘It’s ok to Talk’ – resource supplied by Gary. Another training resource made available through the National Healthy Schools Initiative is ‘Stand up for us’. Section 11 makes it clear how homophobia and homophobic bullying can be challenged.
Rita stated that schools, as a statutory requirement, have to have an anti-bullying policy and will have to record all bullying within schools. From April 2006 they will have to provide us with the number of recorded incidents but they will not have to give a breakdown of the type of bullying that is being recorded.
Bob advised that there was a whole range of training resources available for teachers, parents and pupils.
2. Is True Vision available in schools?
Yes, through PSHE training and the Police.
3. Would schools or the Education Department have any objection to recording homophobic bullying?
Rita said the problem would be that it is a statutory requirement to record bullying but not to record a breakdown of types of bullying.
4. If a young person ‘comes out’ what support is given to them? Is there guidance and if so, what is the guidance?
Schools can address through sex education with support being given either by school nurse or Gay Men’s Health. Gary gives support through training to teachers, pupils and parents.
Gillian asked if schools were aware of Pride Youth? They have a lot of good experience of working with young people and a reputation for being supportive to them. Bob was not aware of this Organisation but would raise as an issue at the next Anti Bullying Group and get them to invite a member of Pride Youth to attend.
5. What support is available for staff suffering homophobic bullying, teaching and non-teaching?
Bob advised that there was a draft policy ‘Acceptable Behaviour in the workplace: an employment policy for Swindon schools’. This will need to be looked at again due to new legislation, but this is the employment policy for schools. It will shortly be going out for consultation.
Cllr Wren asked if children are being asked to report incidents happening outside of school?
Rita said that incidents happening outside of school could be reported but they wouldn’t be recorded as a bullying issue. Bob explained that it would be difficult for schools to pick up these as they would have no authority, but they could support the person in referring the matter to the police and/or support groups.
Bob and Rita were thanked for attending and for their detailed input.
6. ‘Drug Use Among Gay Men’ – Gary Jefferson
No presentation as Gary did not attend the meeting.
ACTION: Kathleen to contact him and find out if he wishes to do the presentation at our August meeting.
7. Report of the Hate Crime Forum – Robin Stannard
No report as Robin did not attend the meeting.
8. Any Other Business:
Gillian asked what the Coalition would like done about getting people to attend. It was very disappointing to have had such a small turnout as the Coalition had requested that people from the Education Department be invited to this meeting.
ACTION: A letter to be sent out with the minutes encouraging everyone to attend.
Ken felt it was vital that the website was kept up to date and minutes etc were entered. Everyone agreed.
ACTION: Kathleen to contact Lee regarding his charges and what exactly is covered by them.
9. Date of the next meetings:
LGBT
7-9pm, Wednesday 10 August: Function Room, Civic
7-9pm, Wednesday 12 October: CR2, Civic
7-9pm, Wednesday 14 December
Hate Crime Forum
7-9pm, Wednesday 14 September: CR2, Civic
7-9pm, Wednesday 9 November: CR2, Civic
