BASHH STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSULTATION ON ‘GENDER QUESTIONING CHILDREN: DRAFT GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

26 January 2024

BASHH recognises the need for guidance to support schools to navigate the complexity that can arise for children questioning their gender in schools and we welcome steps to introduce guidance through a consultative process. BASHH will consult with its membership and fully engage with the consultation over the coming weeks. BASHH notes that there are both risks and benefits in relation to the involvement of parents of gender questioning young people, which must be carefully considered through the consultation process. We highlight, with concern, that there is significant evidence to show that gender questioning young people can be at risk from their parents’ involvement in more than just the ‘exceptional circumstances’ currently identified in the draft guidance. The start of the new school term, following the publication of draft guidance, will no doubt be a worrying time for some gender questioning young people. We emphasise the important role that support and advocacy services can play and, above all, we underline the paramount importance of focusing on the wellbeing of young people, whose voice should be kept at the heart of this matter.