Steps - Salford Foundation

Steps aims to reduce instances of Gender Based Violence by engaging with and educating boys about gender equity.

The investment has come from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, to support the Mayor’s commitment to prevent and reduce gender based violence. This work has been commissioned and overseen by the governance board of the gender based violence strategy.

Steps is a Gender Based Violence education initiative aimed at reducing misogynistic attitudes and behaviours in primary and secondary settings. Designed to complement the GM Gender-Based Violence Strategy, Steps addresses the behaviours that enable and excuse Gender-Based Violence in order to empower boys to make their own communities safer and more equitable.

Steps implements an education-based approach, bringing groups of boys from years five to eight together in hour-long, school-based sessions. Steps invites boys to discuss their identities, responsibilities and concerns related to gender and masculinity. We work with boys to develop an awareness of Gender-Based Violence and gender inequity along with a sense of responsibility to challenge unhealthy behaviours throughout their life course.

Steps is a six-week program (one session per week) and covers the following topics:

Gender stereotypes, internalisation and misogyny.
Supporting those effected by online misogyny.
Online diet and safety.
Algorithms and social media.
Healthy Relationships and Active Bystander.

So far Steps has worked with over 600 boys, across six schools and four boroughs in Greater Manchester.

Steps Pathfinder initiative is a completely free chance to avail of our curriculum developed as part of GMCA’s Gender Based Violence Strategy and training delivered by a former head teacher with extensive experience implementing equality and diversity policies and initiatives within schools.

If you would like to know more about Steps delivery or our offer of free CPD and resources, reach out to us at steps@salfordfoundation.org.uk

Resources

Curriculum Overview

What people are saying

'I enjoyed how I had Freedom of speech'

'I learnt why its important to be a good man'

'I enjoyed taking part in different activities'

'I learnt that it is important to have a healthy relationship'

'We got to share our thoughts and work with our friends'

'I learnt what positive masculinity means'

'After the Pathfinder Training I feel empowered to take the training materials back to my school and share more widely. Able to better challenge negative views on the programme and clearly articulate why it is so important. I feel better able to implement the materials into our curriculum'

'After the Pathfinder training I have a greater understanding of the issues and how I can support my colleagues.'

'After the Pathfinder training I have a greater understanding around GBV and a passion to incorporate this into our PSHE curriculum and disseminate information to the whole school staff team.'

'Thank you for a well-planned day, bringing together professionals from a range of settings, from across the city. The presentations were high quality, well-informed and the pack of resources is of amazing quality. A groundbreaking piece of work that will generate all sorts of thinking and interventions in our setting and I'm sure many others.'

'Great training - one of the best sessions I have attended certainly this year and possibly during my career.'

'The work you’re doing is amazing. Thank you so much for working with Ladybridge High. The training was brilliant keep being changemakers in this space!'