Read on Twitter
Ireland –
BeLongTo – child safeguarding and the law
Support services for LGBT children is vital. Organisations that provide these services should be aware of, never step outside of the law nor encourage others to
We expect the same of teachers, doctors, Gardai etc
A thread
1/
BeLongTo – child safeguarding and the law
Support services for LGBT children is vital. Organisations that provide these services should be aware of, never step outside of the law nor encourage others to
We expect the same of teachers, doctors, Gardai etc
A thread
1/
There are many laws in Ireland which support the welfare of children. In 2017 the Children First Act, 2015 was enacted. All organisations working with children must do so in accordance with the Act.
A guide was produced to help organisations understand their responsibilities
2/
A guide was produced to help organisations understand their responsibilities
2/
Adherence to this guidance is mandatory.
Oganisations working with children can’t pick and choose which parts to follow and parts to ignore.
In fact we’d expect nothing less.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/114c50-children-first-national-guidelines-for-the-protection-and-welfare-of/
3/
Oganisations working with children can’t pick and choose which parts to follow and parts to ignore.
In fact we’d expect nothing less.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/114c50-children-first-national-guidelines-for-the-protection-and-welfare-of/
3/
BeLonGTo have developed a Child Protection and Welfare Policy (CPWP) in order to demonstrate that they understand the law. And certainly at first glance and perhaps at an audit they appear to do so.
https://belongto.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Child-Protection-and-Welfare-Policy.pdf
4/
https://belongto.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Child-Protection-and-Welfare-Policy.pdf
4/
Let’s delve a little deeper, both within the CPWP and other documents that BeLonGTo develop for teachers, youth organisations and others.
First up within the CPWP lets look at the section
“Key Principles for best practice in Child Protection”
5/
First up within the CPWP lets look at the section
“Key Principles for best practice in Child Protection”
5/
“Parents/guardians have a right to respect, and should be consulted and involved in matters that concern their family”
Couldn’t agree more.
However when you compare this to the material they issued to teachers and youth workers it’s different picture. Instead...
6/
Couldn’t agree more.
However when you compare this to the material they issued to teachers and youth workers it’s different picture. Instead...
6/
it encourages parental alienation and asks teachers and youth workers to promise confidentiality
https://belongto.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Creating-Inclusive-Schools-and-Youth-Services-Handbook.pdf
7/
https://belongto.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Creating-Inclusive-Schools-and-Youth-Services-Handbook.pdf
7/
So even if a parent of a trans child specifically asks a teacher nothing is to be disclosed.
Encouraging parental alienation is the opposite of child safeguarding.
8/
Encouraging parental alienation is the opposite of child safeguarding.
8/
The adult in question should allow the child to lead.
Medical transitioning can lead to long term medicalisation and sterilisation. Coupled with the teaching that no adult should break a child’s confidence -
This is a massive safeguarding concern
9/
Medical transitioning can lead to long term medicalisation and sterilisation. Coupled with the teaching that no adult should break a child’s confidence -
This is a massive safeguarding concern
9/
Child safeguarding should be adult led and child centred
NOT
Child led
10/
NOT
Child led
10/
What does Tusla say about mixed sex overnight accomodation?
Unsurprisingly it’s not allowed.
What does BeLonGTo instruct?
That students should share overnight accommodation – what on earth could go wrong?
11/
Unsurprisingly it’s not allowed.
What does BeLonGTo instruct?
That students should share overnight accommodation – what on earth could go wrong?
11/
More on safeguarding…
BeLonGTo form groups of both adults and children (14-24 year olds) to discuss their sexuality.
Mixing children, who are just understanding their sexuality, with adults who might be sexually is worrying.
https://www.belongto.org/new-online-lgbti-youth-group/
12/
BeLonGTo form groups of both adults and children (14-24 year olds) to discuss their sexuality.
Mixing children, who are just understanding their sexuality, with adults who might be sexually is worrying.
https://www.belongto.org/new-online-lgbti-youth-group/
12/
Let’s now talk about the Equality Act and see where BeLonGTo are failing to comply with it
First up their understanding of what is covered by the Act
- Gender identity
- Sexual norms
These are NOT covered by the Act.
13/
First up their understanding of what is covered by the Act
- Gender identity
- Sexual norms
These are NOT covered by the Act.
13/
I don’t know if BeLonGTo know that homosexuality is covered by the Act – but it is! They leave it out of every lingo and definition list in all recent publications
14/
14/
And what is being a lesbian (according to BeLonGTo)?
Throughout all of their resources a lesbian is defined as someone who is MAINLY attracted to women.
No, no it is not.
15/
Throughout all of their resources a lesbian is defined as someone who is MAINLY attracted to women.
No, no it is not.
15/
Let’s go back to Gender Identity. Another one that they are teaching is a protected characteristic.
It is not a protected characteristic.
Gender is and this is female or male.
16/
It is not a protected characteristic.
Gender is and this is female or male.
16/
“Sexual Norms”. Again these are not covered by the Act.
Why would BeLonGTo say this?
Let’s look into the document.
“Address gaps in current legislation and policies and ensure inclusion of LGBTI+ young people in future legislation and policy development”
17/
Why would BeLonGTo say this?
Let’s look into the document.
“Address gaps in current legislation and policies and ensure inclusion of LGBTI+ young people in future legislation and policy development”
17/
Do BeLonGTo want to make a sexual norm a protected characteristic?
Surely not?
18/
Surely not?
18/
Moving on to child welfare. Physical education is important to build resilience and confidence. This is recognised in the well being in schools publication.
What is BeLonGTo’s opinion?
Trans student are not obliged to partake in PE.
19/
https://www.education.ie/en/publications/education-reports/well_being_pp_schools_guidelines.pdf
What is BeLonGTo’s opinion?
Trans student are not obliged to partake in PE.
19/
https://www.education.ie/en/publications/education-reports/well_being_pp_schools_guidelines.pdf
Not that they should be accommodated by the school but that they just shouldn’t have to take part.
Whose best interests are at the heart of BeLonGTo?
20/
Whose best interests are at the heart of BeLonGTo?
20/
Young LGBT people need an organisation who understands their needs and the laws that are there to protect them.
Are BeLonGTo that organisation?
21/
Are BeLonGTo that organisation?
21/
Who funds BeLonGTo?
Tax payers.
They receive massive funds from numerous departments within our government.
Is your money well spent?
@NormaFoleyTD1 @dcediy @DeptJusticeIRL @rodericogorman @Education_Ire
22/ END
Tax payers.
They receive massive funds from numerous departments within our government.
Is your money well spent?
@NormaFoleyTD1 @dcediy @DeptJusticeIRL @rodericogorman @Education_Ire
22/ END
Oops! Important photos for tweet 13. Sexual norms and gender identity.
Forgot the very loose definition of lesbian in 15-similar ones for gay men. They’re male identified attracted to other male identified. No such thing as same sex attraction?
Could a lesbian be turned if a man just tried hard enough? Didn’t we get rid of that homophobic attitude?
Could a lesbian be turned if a man just tried hard enough? Didn’t we get rid of that homophobic attitude?
