A Complementary Framework
How does ESAS build on work schools are already doing?
Equally Safe at School (ESAS) provides a comprehensive and overarching framework which enables schools to bring together all the work they are doing to address gender-based violence (GBV) into one place. We work extensively with schools and other partners to ensure that the Equally Safe at School intervention complements and enhances other approaches being taken to prevent sexual and gender-based violence in schools.
The tools and resources available via the ESAS website support secondary schools to implement many aspects of national guidance, including the Preventing and Responding to Gender Based Violence: A Whole School Framework and the Equally Safe Delivery Plan.
We support schools to understand how existing student education programmes like the Mentors in Violence Prevention programme, Relationship, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) curriculum, Improving Gender Balance and Equalities programme, and the Rape Crisis National Sexual Violence Prevention Programme contribute to a whole school approach and how ESAS tools can be used to ensure a holistic approach to curriculum delivery.
You can read more about the resources and programmes and how ESAS complements them:
Equally Safe in Practice
You may also have heard about a programme called Equally Safe in Practice (ESiP.) ESiP is a workforce development framework led by Scottish Women’s Aid which aims to equip the Scottish workforce with knowledge, understanding and the tools necessary to improve responses to violence against women and girls (VAWG) and ensure safe and positive outcomes for women, children and young people. Whilst local authority education staff may be invited to take the training, it is recommended that schools prioritise engagement with ESAS as it has been designed specifically for schools.
Primary School
Equally Safe at School (ESAS) has been developed for and with secondary schools. Given the importance of taking an age-and-stage-appropriate approach to the subject matter of gender-based violence (GBV), it is not recommended for primary schools.
These alternative resources will support primary schools to promote gender equality and lay the foundations for preventing GBV:
- The Improving Gender Balance and Equalities Programme includes resources for practitioners including primary schools
- The ‘Gender 10’ toolkit was developed by East Ayrshire Council Health and Wellbeing Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and East Ayrshire Women’s Aid, to provide guidance and practical examples of how to use a whole school approach to embed gender equality into school policy, ethos and the curriculum.
- The national resource for relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education for children and young people provides a comprehensive set of learning activities for use in all settings, including primary schools.
