Improving relationships and behaviour in schools: ensuring safe and consistent environments for all. Joint action plan 2024 - 2027: 2nd Annual Progress Report

Theme 6: Engaging with the whole-school community

Action 18: All members of a school community - children and young people, parents and carers, and staff – have their views embedded in the development of school policies and procedures.

Guidance produced as part of the relationships and behaviour in schools action plan continues to highlight the importance of schools proactively engaging with their whole learning community, including children and young people and parents and carers, in the development of their local policies. This messaging was included within the Fostering a positive, inclusive and safe school environment guidance, and guidance on risk assessments for violent, aggressive and dangerous behaviour.

Updated attendance guidance published in March 2026 was informed by the views of both parents and carers, and young people, facilitated by Connect and Quarriers, respectively. The interim guidance on addressing racism and racist incidents between children and young people, and the whole school approach on racism and racist incidents was also informed by direct engagement with young people, facilitated by Intercultural Youth Scotland.

To support young people’s involvement in the development of local policy and practice, as noted at action 11 above, Education Scotland published a Youth Voice Toolkit in June 2025 to support schools and local authorities’ engagement with children and young people. As detailed in action 10, respectme has developed a new e-learning module to support a lead adult, alongside children and young people, through the process of setting up a local, peer-led, Anti-Bullying Club to encourage young anti-bullying activists to create change in their setting.

SAGRABIS acknowledges the important role that parents play in supporting relationships and behaviour approaches in schools and this action includes a commitment to identify, develop and promote support for parents and carers, children and young people to understand relationships and behaviour policies. To support parents, a new section on behaviour in schools has been added to the Parent Club website, which covers topics such as what schools expect from children and young people, how can parents help their children understand what is expected of them in school, and how can parents support their children at school. The new webpage aligns with national guidance published as part of the action plan including Fostering a positive, supportive and safe school environment, risk assessments for violent, disruptive and dangerous behaviour, and guidance on mobile phones in schools.

Updates have also been made to existing Parent Club pages. This includes existing guidance on talking to your child about racism, and what to do if your child experiences racism at school, to reflect the Whole Schools Approach on Racism and Racist Incidents. Parent Club’s resources on bullying in school have also been updated to reflect the revised Respect for All guidance, published in November 2024.

respectme has developed an e-learning module for parents to support their children through school transitions, either from nursery to school, or primary to secondary school. The module’s focus is on helping children to understand and adjust to social change and foster respectful relationships and behaviours.

As explored in action 8, a national attendance marketing campaign aimed at parents and carers of P1 to S4 pupils ran between 30 October and 30 November 2025 and again between 12 January to 8 February, which sought to encourage parents to engage proactively with their child's school to develop tailored support that addresses the specific barriers affecting their child's attendance.