FOI Request - Gender Neutral/Unisex Toilets
Request 101003064527
1. What provision/plans have/are being made to introduce gender neutral/unisex toilet facilities in schools, at what cost and which schools?
2. Also what provision/plans have/are being made to introduce gender neutral/unisex toilets in council run facilities, at what cost and which facilities?
Response 27-05-2022
1. In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 please be advised that this information is not held. However, the department have given this statement:
Moray have no current plans to introduce gender neutral/unisex toilet facilities our schools and there is no statutory requirement to do so. Current legislation states that toilet facilities for boys and girls must be provided in schools and that schools are also required to provide accessible facilities for young people with a disability. Should legislation change then this will be reviewed, and any changes to toilet provision would be assessed and options developed and agreed, following full consultation with pupils, parents and school staff.
Moray’s approach to the provision of toilets for transgender young people in our schools follows the recent SG guidance and the considerations therein. A transgender young person should not be made to use the toilet or changing room of their sex assigned at birth. We recognise that some transgender young people may not be comfortable using a single sex toilet or changing room that matches their gender identity and that providing a gender-neutral or accessible toilet may be the best alternative in this instance. However, this does not mean that all toilets need to become unisex or gender neutral. Our schools work closely with children and young people including those transgender in order to put in place arrangements which meet the needs of the child or young person taking their views into consideration. If in any doubt over how to manage a specific issue school staff will seek advice from their senior management team and/or their education authority officer.
A number of our recent new build schools have toilet facilities designed with fully enclosed cubicles (full height and completely private) and open plan communal wash areas that can be seen from the corridor. Although these are designated based on gender they could in the future convert to unisex toilets. The cost of these modern designed toilets is commensurate and in most cases is less than traditional toilet spaces.
2. In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 please be advised that this information is not held. The department has given this statement: Currently there are no plans to introduce gender neutral/unisex toilets within Council operational buildings.