Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people

Who are our Gypsy Roma and Traveller children and young people? 

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities are a connected but distinct collection of ethnic groups who share similar historical themes and traditions around nomadism. Communities include Gypsies, Travellers of Irish Heritage, Roma, Scottish Travellers or Gypsies, Welsh Gypsies or Travellers, Showmen, Circus Travellers, New Travellers, and Boater or Bargee Travellers. Each of these groups are distinct, but can often be reported together due to facing similar challenges. 

• The Traveller Movement and Friends, Families and Travellers provide detailed overviews on some of the groups listed above. 
• The European Roma Rights Centre have produced a video focused on 7 Things You Should Know About Roma People. 
• An animation, written and narrated by Traveller women, provides a short history of Irish Travellers. 
• Travellers Times provides a video focused on GRT history titled Roads from the Past: A Short History of Britain's Gypsies, Roma and Travellers. 

Why is it important for us to be aware of children and young people who are GRT? 

Children or young people who are GRT may face challenges with accessing and engaging with the curriculum, educational attainment, discrimination and bullying, and their wellbeing. GRT children and young people are also at higher risk of absences and exclusion from education. They are likely to need a higher level of appropriate and differentiated support to support positive educational outcomes. 

There can sometimes be a lack of cultural understanding towards GRT children or young people leading to a disconnect between the GRT way of life and education which can impact educational outcomes negatively. All children and young people, including those who are GRT, should have the opportunity to fully access the curriculum and fulfil their potential.  

If we are aware of the unique challenges that GRT children or young people may face, teachers can better support them in their educational journey and promote a more inclusive, diverse and understanding environment to support all to Flourish.   

What does the law say? 

Gypsies, Roma, Travellers of Irish Heritage and Scottish Travellers or Gypsies are recognised ethnicity groups.  Schools and settings must comply with the relevant provisions of the Equality Act 2010, under which race, religion or belief are amongst the protected characteristics.  

What support is available? 

National 

• The Traveller Movement's education website provides a wealth of information for educators, including resources, training, publications, and ways to get involved in supporting GRT children and young people in education. The Traveller Movement has also produced a Healthy Relationships Toolkit to support with delivery of RSHE content. 
• The Anti-Bullying Alliance provides specific guidance on addressing the bullying of GRT children and young people. They have published a report titled "Bullied, Not Believed and Blamed: The Experiences of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Pupils". They offer a range of resources and advice for parents, carers, young people, and those who work with young people including an anti-bullying audit tool. 
• Friends, Families and Travellers offers a range of resources, books, and media to enrich educators' understanding of GRT histories and cultures. They also provide tools and information to help schools tackle GRT targeted bullying. 
• The Education People provides a range of training and support for schools / settings around GRT children and young people. 
• The Diverse Educators' GRT Inclusion Toolkit is a resource designed to support educators in understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by GRT communities. 

Norfolk 

Our local offer draws upon what is available nationally, helping you contextualise approaches, and provides targeted support to meet the needs of your school community. Find out more on our Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) graduated offer web page. 

Norfolk County Council has developed a toolkit for schools and settings focused on GRT. The aim of the toolkit is to provide guidance around a whole school or setting approach to supporting children or young people who are GRT to feel welcome, safe and valued as well as providing step by step guidance on how to support individual GRT children or young people appropriately.  

Key contacts

If you would like any further support from our GRT advisers, please contact us on inclusionandsend@norfok.gov.uk.