Gender Identity

When engaging with the topic(s) of gender identity, expression and transition, those working with children and young people often encounter barriers to getting appropriate information and support. While no prescribed safeguarding or child protection processes are specific to gender identity, expression, and transition, your organisation needs to consider how to respond and support.

As with any emerging social issue, it can be difficult to know how to respond well. On an issue such as this, it is easy to become focused on questions of ideology, morality and theology. Whether you or your organisation have a strong conviction, no opinion or are worried you might be wrong, the safeguarding perspective is always that if you are worried that a child isn’t safe or well, you should always report your concern.

If a child or young person tells you they are questioning their gender, that they have a gender identity different from the sex assigned to them at birth, or that they would like you to call them by a new name the way you respond will have an impact on them.

There are a variety of positive ways you can respond, regardless of any ideological or theological position of your organisation or that you personally hold.

You should:

Follow good practice guidance for all conversations with children and young people.

Ask them if they have discussed this with their parents. If so, you could let the parents know that they have also shared this with you (as long as the child or young person is happy for you to do so). If not, ask if they would like your support to do this- ensuring they know this is an open offer, not something you are demanding of them.

Talk to your Safeguarding Lead for advice if you feel you need to tell a child’s parent(s) something they have shared with you, but the child has asked you not to.

Make a record and pass on to your Safeguarding Lead if something that a child or young person says that makes you think they, or someone else, may be at at risk of harm. 

You must NOT share information with parents or another person that might place the child or young person at increased risk of harm. 

Things to consider:

Be encouraged if your organisation is a place where a young person feels safe and comfortable to express a vulnerable aspect of their identity with you. Reflect on what it is about your culture & that makes this the case and nurture it.

Healthy encouragement, guidance or counselling can support a child or young person to explore their feelings, but it should never involve pressure, fear or threat. Some interventions are harmful, such as ‘conversion therapy’ and other interactions that involve coercive control. You should always pass on your concern if you think a child or young person is experiencing this.

Working alongside a child or young person’s parent(s) or primary carer(s) can often enable you to provide the best support possible to them in any circumstances.