The Programme for Government commits that ‘this Government will develop inclusive and age appropriate curricula for Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) across primary and post-primary schools, including an inclusive programme on LGBTI+ relationships’.
Work to implement this commitment is ongoing, building on a major review of RSE in schools, completed in 2019 by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). A draft revised Junior Cycle specification was published for consultation in July 2022, with the consultation running until October 2022. The report of this consultation is available on the website of the NCCA, and has informed the NCCA’s finalisation of the Junior Cycle specification. The aim is that this will be implemented in schools in September of this year.
My Department has not taken legal advice on the possibility of litigation arising from circumstances such as those described by the Deputy. My Department does not anticipate any such circumstances arising as a result of the implementation of a revised SPHE curriculum.
In regard to the duty of care of schools, my Department’s Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice (2019) promotes the provision of a whole-school approach to supporting wellbeing, an approach that has been found internationally to produce a wide range of educational and social benefits for individual children and young people, including increased inclusion, greater social cohesion, increased social capital and improvements to mental health. To support schools in this work the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) provides training to schools to ensure that the promotion of wellbeing is at the core of the ethos of every school. NEPS has also developed training for school staff on the promotion of wellbeing and resilience in schools.
If a school has concerns about a student the school may request the involvement of the NEPS psychologist. The role of a NEPS Educational Psychologist is to support the wellbeing, inclusion and participation of all students in schools through the application of psychological theory and practice. The NEPS service focuses on the provision of psychological services for a student, working either directly with the student and/or with the teachers and parents. Where necessary the NEPS psychologist will signpost schools to the appropriate external supports.
