LATEST
- Parents ask Council Chief Executive what lessons have been learned from the WellBN investigationMore than a hundred residents of Brighton & Hove raised concerns regarding the Council’s safeguarding practices and educational policies related to gender-related issues, seeking clarity on six key questions. The Chief Executive’s response was seen as insufficient, highlighting the need for a comprehensive review of the Council’s governance, curriculum, and handling of parental concerns.
- Safeguarding First: Why We Are Writing to Schools About KCSIE 2026PSHE Brighton has urged educational leaders to review safeguarding policies ahead of the new statutory guidance effective September 2026. The emphasis is on ensuring children’s welfare, engaging parents, and understanding the importance of the terms “must” and “should.” The guidance highlights that safeguarding is a shared responsibility and advocates for careful consideration regarding social transition decisions.
- PSHEbrighton Statement on the Goldsmid By-ElectionAhead of the Goldsmid ward by-election, PSHEbrighton sought candidates’ views on safeguarding concerns, particularly following an NHS investigation into WellBN. Only Luke Willmoth responded, highlighting wider silence from public officials on pressing safeguarding questions. PSHEbrighton emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing long-standing parental concerns in Brighton & Hove.
- WellBN: The Questions Brighton Was Told Not to AskThe NHS Sussex investigation into gender-related hormone treatment at WellBN in Brighton revealed significant care failings, affecting 78 children. Many prescriptions lacked necessary consultations and monitoring. Questions of safeguarding were disregarded, highlighting the need for thorough examination of concerns before dismissing them as baseless. Institutional scrutiny is essential for child safety.
- Ask your schoolRecent developments, including the Cass Review, the Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland, updated Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance and changes to national safeguarding expectations, mean many schools are reviewing policies relating to sex, privacy, safeguarding and parental involvement.
Existing Legislation and Guidance of Interest
The following legislation and official guidance applies in England and is relevant to the provision of a broad and balanced curriculum, the safeguarding and welfare of children, relationships, sex and health education, and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Safeguarding
Working Together to Safeguard Children
This is the Government’s statutory multi-agency safeguarding guidance. The current edition is Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026.
Keeping Children Safe in Education
This is the principal statutory safeguarding guidance for schools and colleges. The 2025 edition remains in force until 31 August 2026. The 2026 edition comes into force on 1 September 2026.
Special educational needs and disabilities
SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years
This statutory code explains the duties of schools, local authorities, health bodies and other organisations towards children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Curriculum and political impartiality
Education Act 2002, section 78
Section 78 sets out the statutory requirement for maintained schools to provide a balanced and broadly based curriculum.
Education Act 1996, sections 406 and 407
These provisions prohibit the promotion of partisan political views in teaching and require the balanced presentation of opposing views when political issues are brought to pupils’ attention.
Political impartiality in schools
This Department for Education guidance explains how schools should meet their legal duties when teaching about political and contested issues.
Relationships, sex and health education
Relationships education, relationships and sex education and health education: statutory guidance
The 2019 statutory guidance applies until 31 August 2026. Revised statutory guidance published in 2025 applies from 1 September 2026. Schools should ensure that policies, curriculum materials and staff training are reviewed against the version applicable at the time of teaching.
The following Government pages provide supplementary planning and teaching resources:
Plan your relationships, sex and health curriculum
Teaching about relationships, sex and health
These are supplementary resources and should be read alongside the current statutory guidance.
Children who are questioning their gender
Relevant safeguarding guidance concerning children who are questioning their gender is included in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, which comes into force on 1 September 2026.
The Department for Education has confirmed that the previously proposed standalone guidance on gender-questioning children will not be published separately.
Including guidance on children who are questioning their gender in KCSIE
The Cass Review and NHS services
The independent review of NHS gender identity services for children and young people was commissioned by NHS England in 2020. Its final report was published in April 2024 and supersedes the interim report for current reference. The former Cass Review website is now preserved by the UK Government Web Archive.
NHS England: Implementing advice from the Cass Review
This page contains information about NHS England’s implementation of the final report and subsequent work concerning services, research and clinical pathways.
Children’s Commissioner resources
This 2023 research commentary records children’s reported experiences of RSHE. It is not legislation or statutory guidance and should be read alongside the current Department for Education requirements.
Growing up in the online world: a national consultation response
Published in June 2026, this provides a more current account of the Children’s Commissioner’s recommendations concerning children’s experiences and safety online.
Brighton and Hove services
Brighton & Hove SEND Local Offer
The Local Offer provides information about education, health, care and support available to children and young people with SEND and their families in Brighton and Hove.
SENDIASS provides free, confidential and impartial information and advice to children, young people and parents concerning SEND, education and related statutory processes in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex.
Brighton & Hove Safeguarding Children Partnership
The Partnership publishes local safeguarding information, procedures and advice for professionals, families and members of the public.
Get in touch…
Support for families affected by PSHE/RSE delivery in schools and associated issues in Brighton & Hove. PSHEbrighton is currently listening to affected families, if you have issues or concerns about the delivery of PSHE/RSE in Brighton schools, please be in touch!
