Guidance for schools on transgender pupils queries: FOI release

Information requested

I refer to the urgent question on 30th September Meeting of the Parliament: 30/09/2025 | Scottish Parliament Website and Jenny Gilruth comment, "The guidance on which the revised guidance is based was developed in the light of engagement with a range of stakeholders, etc ..."

1) Parents and carers: How many parents/carers were included and how many were non-affirming?

2) Education representatives: What experience did the education representatives have in adolescent development and the issues which arise at puberty?

3) LGBT organisations : Which organisations specifically were included?

4a) How much are the LGBT organisations named funded by ScotGov?

4b) Women’s organisations: Which organisations specifically were included?

5) The Cass Review is wholly adopted by Scottish Government and states that social transition is not a neutral act. How did the guidance include the Cass review?

6) As the Cass Review has commented specifically on neurodivergence - Autism and ADHD, what steps has the Government taken to incorporate the cognitive emotional lag in young people in receiving this guidance?

7) What medical expertise was sought and included in creating the guidelines?

8) What independent oversight was obtained prior to publication?

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

For parts 1, 2, 3 and 4b of your request, the guidance published in 2021 contained an acknowledgements list of organisations who supported the development of the guidance. This is available from https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20250701204620/www.gov.scot/publications/supportingtransgender-young-people-schools-guidance-scottish-schools. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

For part 4a of your request all of the information you have requested is available from LGBTQI+ funding and partners - LGBTQI+ - gov.scot This includes funding to LGBT Youth Scotland, Stonewall Scotland and the Scottish Transgender Alliance. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

For part 5 of your request page fifty-seven of the Supporting Transgender Pupils In Schools guidance describes the current provision of young people’s gender identity healthcare services in Scotland. The Cass Review was an independent review, commissioned by NHS England, into the provision of NHS gender identity services for children and young people in that country. The Cass Review did not consider services in Scotland.

For part 6 of your request, the Supporting transgender pupils in schools: guidance for education authorities and schools – revised is for education authorities and schools. The guidance is not for young people, including those who are neurodivergent. It would be for schools to work with neurodivergent young people and their families in considering any matters arising from the decision of a neurodivergent young person to consider or change their gender identity.

For part 7 of your request, there is no information included within the guidance relating to medical conditions, therefore no specific medical expertise was sought. The guidance reflects that young people may access gender identity health services and also clarifies that these are clinical matters. The guidance is clear that schools and teachers do not need to be involved in this. The guidance focusses on the roles that schools may play in supporting young people who have taken a decision to consider or change their gender identity. Schools do not have a role in supporting that young person to make such a decision. It is for schools to respond to the personal decision of a young person and their family.

For part 8 of your request, appropriate due diligence in preparation for the publication of the Supporting transgender pupils in schools: guidance for education authorities and schools – revised was undertaken, as is usual ahead of the publication of guidance. It is not necessary that this includes independent oversight.

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