The KCSIE 2026 guidance now incorporates the government’s guidance on children who are questioning their gender. This means that schools must consider these issues as part of their statutory safeguarding responsibilities from 1 September 2026.

The guidance stresses that schools should take a careful, cautious and individualised approach when a child asks to socially transition. Decisions should focus on the child’s welfare and safeguarding, rather than applying a blanket approach to every situation. Schools are also expected to consider the circumstances and potential impact on other pupils.

KCSIE 2026 also makes clear that schools should protect the privacy, dignity and safety of pupils when providing single-sex facilities. In particular, the guidance sets expectations around toilets and changing facilities. Government guidance states that schools should provide separate toilet facilities for boys and girls aged 8 and over and separate changing facilities for pupils aged 11 and over. Schools therefore need to consider how their arrangements for toilets, changing rooms, residential accommodation and sport align with the new guidance, while continuing to consider individual safeguarding circumstances.

KCSIE 2026 says schools could consider providing alternative facilities where a child who is questioning their gender does not want to use the facilities designated for their biological sex. For example, using a multi-sex accessible toilet. However, the alternative arrangement must not undermine the single-sex provision. In other words, the guidance does not allow a school to solve the issue by simply allowing the child to use the opposite-sex toilets or changing rooms.