After significant delay, the UK government has published draft guidance for schools in England on “gender questioning children”, from education secretary Gillian Keegan and women and equalities minister Kemi Badenoch.
The guidance is non-statutory, meaning it is not legally enforceable, and the government has launched a consultation on the plans. Until March 12 2024, individuals and organisations can provide feedback before the final version is published.
Already, though, disagreement has emerged. Former prime minister Liz Truss has stated that the guidance does not go far enough, and that it “does not sufficiently protect children”. Reports have suggested that a previous draft of the guidance was delayed when the attorney general advised that a planned ban on social transitioning – taking actions such as changing names, clothing and pronouns – in school was unlawful. Truss is calling for a change in the law to, among other things, stop schools from formally recognising social transitioning.
The guidance states that schools should not consider any action towards allowing a young person to socially transition until it has been explicitly requested by the child. The guidance recommends a period of “watchful waiting” before taking action.
