Whole school approach to racism and racist incidents: guidance

Targeted Responses: Responding to racist incidents experienced by children and young people

• Responding effectively to a report of a racist incident between children and young people is crucial in creating a culture where the whole school community understands that racism is unacceptable. Responses should include supporting children and young people, families, and staff to address an incident, and should be done in the context of broader school approaches to relationships and behaviour. Further guidance in available at Schools - fostering a positive, inclusive and safe environment: guidance - gov.scot.

Detailed guidance on how schools should respond to a racist incident between children and young people, including information about the statutory duty to record incidents, can be found in can be found in the Addressing racism and racist incidents guidance, including:

• what to do in response to a racist incident
• responding to a child or young person experiencing racism
• responding to a child or young person displaying racist behaviour
• barriers to reporting
• responding to a racist incident involving a child or young person with additional support needs
• hate crime
• engaging with families following a racist incident
• confidentiality
• supporting staff to have potentially challenging conversations
• responding to the wider school community
• repairing relationships

If a child or young person reports an incident of racist behaviour displayed by a staff member in the school, any report should be referred to senior leadership, who should respond in line with local authority protocols regarding staff conduct.