Treating Children as Children (P.14/2026): second amendment

STATES OF JERSEY

TREATING CHILDREN AS CHILDREN (P.14/2026): SECOND AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 17th March 2026

by Deputy I.J. Gorst of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter Earliest date for debate: 24th March 2026

STATES GREFFE

2026  P.14 Amd.(2)

TREATING CHILDREN AS CHILDREN (P.14/2026): SECOND AMENDMENT

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Substitute the word "replace" with the word "review".

After the words "17th March 2025 with" insert the words "the review to be undertaken immediately after the June 2026 elections and completed by 31st December 2026 and to involve all interested parties (including parents of children potentially affected) and consideration of".

After the words "and to make" substitute the word "this" with the words "revised guidance subsequently".

DEPUTY I.J. GORST OF ST. MARY, ST. OUEN AND ST. PETER

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

to request the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning to review the existing Trans Inclusion Guidance (Non-statutory guidance for CYPES including schools and educational settings in Jersey) published on 17th March 2025 with the review to be undertaken immediately after the June 2026 elections and completed by 31st December 2026 and to involve all interested parties (including parents of children potentially affected) and consideration of the document entitled "Treating children as children: a safeguarding approach to trans-identifying children and adolescents in Jersey schools" contained in Appendix 1 to the report accompanying  this  proposition  and  to  make  revised  guidance subsequently available to all schools and educational settings.

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P.14/2026 Amd.(2)

REPORT

This amendment is borne out of the many concerns that have been raised by members of the public, both supporting the proposition and those who support the current guidance and are concerned about the proposed guidance.

As a general rule Jersey has largely managed contentious issues with respect and balance, understanding that in a small community, often sitting together and solving problems is the best and only way to reach agreement.

I realise that the issue of Trans guidance in schools in other places, has been extremely divisive and many on both sides of the arguments have become entrenched and have stopped listening to alternative voices.

This amendment seeks to ensure that we don't fall into that trap here in Jersey, it gives the opportunity for all interested parties to come together to deliver guidance that all can support, and where Children's wellbeing is at its heart.

Best practice elsewhere has been, on this and many other issues, to use a co-production framework, that includes all voices equally and journeys together to find common ground and grow a solution, in this case guidance, from there. My amendment provides the opportunity to seek unity.

The amendment is also in line with the departments plan to review its current guidance in May 2027. Therefore, supporting this amendment will simply bring that review forward by a number of months.

Financial and staffing implications

There are no financial or staffing implications from this amendment.

Children's Rights Impact Assessment

A Children's Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) has been prepared in relation to this amendment and is available to read on the States Assembly website.

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P.14/2026 Amd.(2)