Responding to racist incidents: Responding to racist incidents experienced by children and young people
Responding effectively to a report of a racist incident between children and young people is crucial in creating a culture where the whole school community understands that racism is unacceptable.
Responses should include supporting children and young people, families, and staff to address an incident, and should be done in the context of broader school approaches to relationships and behaviour.
Addressing racism and racist incidents offers detailed guidance on how schools should respond to a racist incident between children and young people. This includes information about the statutory duty to record incidents and:
- what to do in response to a racist incident
- responding to a child or young person experiencing racism
- responding to a child or young person displaying racist behaviour
- barriers to reporting
- responding to a racist incident involving a child or young person with additional support needs
- hate crime
- engaging with families following a racist incident
- confidentiality
- supporting staff to have potentially challenging conversations
- responding to the wider school community
- repairing relationships
If a child or young person reports an incident of racist behaviour displayed by a staff member in the school, this should be referred to senior leadership, who should respond in line with local authority protocols regarding staff conduct.
Further information and guidance on reporting and monitoring racist incidents.
Professional learning on responding to hate crime and prejudice-based behaviours can also support practitioners responding to racist incidents.
