Top Tips for Effective Implementation

Congratulations! You have a robust SOGI-inclusive policy or procedure in place. But, that doesn’t mean that it is well known, well implemented, or well understood.

Here are some ways that others have successfully employed their documents for maximum impact:

Communicate with stakeholders.

Work towards a common understanding of what SOGI-inclusive education is (a means to support student safety) and isn’t (a set curriculum with a specific agenda).

Educate all staff.

Having a clear understanding of the policies and procedures can avoid many potential negative outcomes, and can provide confidence to educators who may be unsure if they can act by strengthening their belief that the system or school supports them.

Provide capacity and support.

Staff must bring the policy to life. Designating a staff lead and providing resources will go a long way to ensuring actions match the written statement.

Create a team.

Having a SOGI committee or network that includes students, staff, and other stakeholders means that the work doesn’t rely on the passion of a single staff member.

Set a schedule for review.

This is especially important in the early days of a new policy to increase general awareness, take into account feedback, and to validate what is working well. In addition, SOGI language is always evolving, so more regular reviews may be needed as compared to other policies and procedures.