Safe environments

Many organisations have questions about creating and maintaining safer environments for children and young people who express a gender identity different to the sex they were registered with at birth. This is particularly the case in relation to toileting, washing, changing, and sleeping.

There are several approaches to take to this.

Here are some key principles to apply in relation to safeguarding: 

Provide at least one individual toilet, shower, or changing space accessible to anyone. This ensures privacy for children or young people who need it—such as those who have experienced trauma, have physical differences, or whose gender identity differs from their birth sex.

This also aligns with the UK Supreme Court’s April 2025 ruling that under the Equality Act 2010, “man” and “woman” refer to biological sex. Single-sex spaces can lawfully exclude those not biologically female, even if they identify as women. The Court encourages additional inclusive facilities—such as unisex or individual-use spaces—to ensure safe, appropriate access without infringing others’ rights.

A child or young person should not be forced to use a toilet or occupy any space that feels unsafe or would cause them mental distress.

For residential trips: 

Seek advice and include in your risk assessment any child whose needs don’t fit default arrangements (e.g. shared dormitories by biological sex). This may include trans-identifying children, those who have experienced abuse, children with disabilities or sensory needs, looked-after children, or known perpetrators of child-on-child abuse.

Find out what the child would like to happen, what would make them feel safe and comfortable and let that inform your planning as far as is safe and practical. 

If room allocations change from your original plan and risk assessment, ensure that you still have sufficient staff and volunteers to maintain safe ratios.