NHS issues school trans guide after ministers dither on advice

NHS issues school trans guide to help teachers, schools and parents after ministers dither on issuing official advice

• NHS say schools should not let kids ‘socially transition’ without parental consent
• The advice is designed for NHS staff working with children as well as teachers 

The NHS has published trans guidance for schools amid a ‘vacuum’ left by ministers who are yet to issue official advice.

The health service guide says schools should not let children who question their gender ‘socially transition’ without parental consent.

It says parents should not be left in the dark about their child’s gender identity and suggests that working with young people and their parents or carers is ‘good practice’.

Social transitioning could include calling a child by a new name, using different pronouns or allowing them to use different toilets.

The NHS England resource is the first guide to help teachers, schools and parents deal with the issue.

The NHS said parents should not be left in the dark about their child’s gender identity and suggests that working with young people and their parents or carers is ‘good practice’

Rishi Sunak vowed in March that government guidelines for schools would be published before the summer break. 

But The Mail understands the delay in publication meant the NHS created its own.

The advice is designed for NHS staff working with children as well as teachers, parents and carers. 

The online course states: ‘There has also been a rise in young people asking to make a social transition at school or college without the knowledge or involvement of their parents or carers. 

‘Supporting a social transition without the involvement of parents or carers can create complex difficulties within families and is not recommended. 

‘Making efforts to work collaboratively with young people, their parents or carers and any wider professional network is good practice.’

The resources were developed independently of the Department for Education (DfE) and is not formal guidance for schools, NHS England said. Its position is believed to be in line with the Government’s draft guidance, which is expected to order schools to inform parents if their child wishes to socially transition.

Rishi Sunak (pictured) vowed in March that government guidelines for schools would be published before the summer break

Last night Tory MP Miriam Cates said there should be ‘no further delay’ with Government guidance, adding it was a ‘scandal that so many schools have changed pupils’ names and pronouns behind parents’ backs’.

And while Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said it was ‘helpful that the NHS is providing guidance’, he added: ‘The frustration is that there continues to be a vacuum in terms of the official guidance that is supposed to be coming from the Department for Education.’

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said in July that the formal guidance would be delayed so the Government could speak to ‘teachers, parents, lawyers and other stakeholders’.

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