Local authorities

Stonewall's research shows that homophobic bullying is endemic in Britain's schools. Local authorities play a key role in addressing homophobia and homophobic bullying. Over a quarter of local authorities in England already work with Stonewall through the Education Champions programme to address these issues. Stonewall Scotland have just launched the programme, and South Ayrshire Council have already signed up. Well done to South Ayrshire for leading the way in Scotland.

Stonewall's groundbreaking report, The School Report, showed that more than half of lesbian, gay and bisexual secondary school pupils experience direct homophobic bullying ranging from verbal abuse to death threats.

Local authorities use Stonewall's research, guidance as well as teaching and awareness raising materials to prevent and tackle homophobic bullying in their local communities. We also work with local authorities through our Education Champions Scotland programme which provides bespoke support and advice to local authorities on helping their local schools. Through this programme local authorities work with Stonewall Scotland and each other to establish ways to address homophobic bullying in primary and secondary school and promote a safe and inclusive learning environment for all children and young people.

Since the programme began in England in 2008, over a quarter of their local authorities have joined the Education Champions programme and shown their commitment to addressing the endemic problem of homophobia in schools. We look forward to working more closely with Scottish local authorities to support them in their anti-bullying work.

For more information about the Education Champions programme, the benefits and the costs of joining please click here.

We also have specific pages for those working in other agencies such as the police, health service or with youth.