Concerns about one sided debate about transgenderism on children and young people

The request was successful.

JOANNE RICHARDSON

Dear Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council,

Would you please respond to my concerns regarding:

1. How many children under 18 are currently identifying as transgender in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council?
2. What proportion of children, 18 and under, who identify as transgender also have a diagnosis of ASD or ADHD?
3. Does Sandwell MBC provide guidance within the council or to schools or other organisations on supporting children and young people identifying as transgender?
4. Who did you consult in producing this guidance?
5. Does this guidance support sex based rights covered by the Equality Act 2010?
6. Can you please supply a copy of this guidance?
7. What support pathways for children who identify as transgender exist, either within Sandwell MBC or in partnership with Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group?

Yours faithfully,
Joanne Richardson

Sandwell MBC, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Ms Joanne Richardson
Your request for information has been passed to an investigating officer.
Your reference is FS-Case-230016752
Thank you
Sandwell MBC
For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find "MyNearest" on their
personalised homepage. For information please go
to [1]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

References

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Info Management, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Dear Joanne

We are all currently facing unprecedented challenges due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Council will endeavour to provide a response to you within the required timescale.

However, the situation involving COVID-19 changes daily and this may lead to unavoidable delays in responding to your request. We ask that you kindly bear with the Council during this time.

Your Request Reference is FS-230016752

Kindest Regards

Governance Team
Legal and Assurance Services
Sandwell MBC
Oldbury Council House
Freeth Street
Oldbury
B69 3DE
e:[Sandwell Council request email]
w:www.sandwelllegalservices.co.uk
satnav:please use post code B69 3DB

show quoted sections

Amanda Carby, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

1 Attachment

Hi Joanne

Does your FOI relate to children in care or all children in Sandwell?

Amanda

 

Amanda Carby

PA to Lesley Hagger, Executive Director of Children’s Services

 

[1]sandwell_mbc

 

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Sandwell Council House

Oldbury

West Midlands

B69 3DE

 

Office: 0121 569 8338 or [mobile number]

 

[2][email address]

[3]www.sandwell.gov.uk

 

References

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2. mailto:[email address]
3. http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/

Sandwell MBC, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

1 Attachment

Dear Ms Joanne Richardson,
Information Request - FS-Case-230016752
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request. In response to your
request I can confirm the following:
Please see the attached response.
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be
submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your
request, and should be addressed to:
Information Management Unit
Sandwell Council House
Freeth Street
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3DE
Email - [Sandwell Council request email]
If you are not content with the outcome of an internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.
Yours sincerely
Sandwell MBC
For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find "MyNearest" on their
personalised homepage. For information please go
to [1]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

References

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JOANNE RICHARDSON

Dear Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council,
With regard to your response to my Freedom of Information request (FOI - FS 230016752)
Your response to my question:

7. What support pathways for children who identify as transgender exist, either within Sandwell MBC or in partnership with Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group?

Referral to Inclusion Support or School Nursing team for support. If the school is also seeking groups for parents to talk to about this and approaches the Local Authority, we signpost to appropriate providers.

I have a further question - Would you please provide me with a list of which organisation you deem to be 'appropriate providers'?

Yours faithfully,

JOANNE RICHARDSON

Amanda Carby, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

FOI - FS 230016752

Thank you for your further question: Would you please provide me with a list of which organisation you deem to be 'appropriate providers'?

Sandwell Council do not hold an ‘approved’ list, and the appropriateness would depend on the needs of the individual.

Thank you.

Amanda Carby
PA to Lesley Hagger, Executive Director of Children’s Services
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Sandwell Council House
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3DE

Office: 0121 569 8338 or [mobile number]

[email address]
www.sandwell.gov.uk

show quoted sections

JOANNE RICHARDSON

Dear Amanda Carby,
The reason for my initial FOi was because as a parent I'm concerned about the huge increase (4.400%) in children identifying as transgender, in particular girls.

Organisations that I would recommend that support the 'watch and wait' approach recommended by the NHS Tavistock clinic are:
Transgender Trend - https://www.transgendertrend.com/
Parents resources - https://www.transgendertrend.com/resourc...
They also have useful resources for schools - https://www.transgendertrend.com/schools...

Bayswater Support - https://www.bayswatersupport.org.uk/

Our Duty group - https://ourduty.group/

Parents of ROGD kids - https://www.parentsofrogdkids.com/

All of these groups are to support the family as a whole rather than alienating the child from their family and support network.
I'm concerned that children and their parents are being advised to contact 'Mermaids Gender' an organisation that promotes the 'affirmation' approach to gender dysphoria leading puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and possible surgery. The NHS and the BBC have both in recent weeks removed Mermaids Gender from their recommended contacts for advice. Mermaids Gender also has links with Helen Webberley - Gender GP that has been suspended by the GMC for prescribing cross sex hormones online to children under 16.
Yours sincerely,

JOANNE RICHARDSON

Dear Amanda Carby,

I responded to this same question last week. Here is my response again:

The reason for my initial FOi was because as a parent I'm concerned about the huge increase (4.400%) in children identifying as transgender, in particular girls.

Organisations that I would recommend that support the 'watch and wait' approach recommended by the NHS Tavistock clinic are:
Transgender Trend - https://www.transgendertrend.com/
Parents resources - https://www.transgendertrend.com/resourc...
They also have useful resources for schools - https://www.transgendertrend.com/schools...

Bayswater Support - https://www.bayswatersupport.org.uk/

Our Duty group - https://ourduty.group/

Parents of ROGD kids - https://www.parentsofrogdkids.com/

All of these groups are to support the family as a whole rather than alienating the child from their family and support network.
I'm concerned that children and their parents are being advised to contact 'Mermaids Gender' an organisation that promotes the 'affirmation' approach to gender dysphoria leading puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and possible surgery. The NHS and the BBC have both in recent weeks removed Mermaids Gender from their recommended contacts for advice. Mermaids Gender also has links with Helen Webberley - Gender GP that has been suspended by the GMC for prescribing cross sex hormones online to children under 16.
Yours sincerely,

JOANNE RICHARDSON

Dear Amanda Carby,

Following on from my original FOI I'm pleased to see that the Department for Education has issued further guidance to schools regarding Relationship, Sex and Health curriculum.

Guidance - Plan your relationships, sex and health curriculum: Gov.UK - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-your-re...

'We are aware that topics involving gender and biological sex can be complex and sensitive matters to navigate. You should not reinforce harmful stereotypes, for instance by suggesting that children might be a different gender based on their personality and interests or the clothes they prefer to wear. Resources used in teaching about this topic must always be age-appropriate and evidence based. Materials which suggest that non-conformity to gender stereotypes should be seen as synonymous with having a different gender identity should not be used and you should not work with external agencies or organisations that produce such material. While teachers should not suggest to a child that their non-compliance with gender stereotypes means that either their personality or their body is wrong and in need of changing, teachers should always seek to treat individual students with sympathy and support'.

Don’t label pupils gender identity in RSE, teachers told: TES - https://www.tes.com/news/dont-label-pupi...

Following the Government's updated guidance I would highly recommend Transgender Trend's resource pack which covers advice for school leaders, tips on how to create a school culture of acceptance of gender non-conformity without denying biological sex, communication, primary schools and secondary schools, existing safeguarding policies and guidance, the legal situation for schools, and a glossary of terms - https://www.transgendertrend.com/transge...

Transgender Trend's school resource pack is the only guidance on this subject recommended by Dudley MBC.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,
JOANNE RICHARDSON

Amanda Carby, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Hi Joanne

This request and any further requests you have for Sandwell Council need to be sent to one of the following:

[email address] for FOIs

[email address] for general Sandwell Council questions/requests/complaints/suggestions

Could you please re-send it to one of the above.

Thank you.
Amanda

Amanda Carby
PA to Lesley Hagger, Executive Director of Children’s Services

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Sandwell Council House
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3DE

Office: 0121 569 8338 or [mobile number]

[email address]
www.sandwell.gov.uk

show quoted sections

Dear Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council,

Amanda Carby, PA to Lesley Hagger, Executive Director of Children’s Services has advised that my FOI request: Reference FS-Case-230016752- 'Concerns about one sided debate about transgenderism on children and young people' and any further requests I have for Sandwell Council need to be sent to either yourselves the main contact for FOI at Sandwell Council or the general Sandwell Council questions/requests/complaints/suggestions.

Following on from my original FOI I'm pleased to see that the Department for Education has issued further guidance to schools regarding Relationship, Sex and Health curriculum.

Guidance - Plan your relationships, sex and health curriculum: Gov.UK - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-your-re...

'We are aware that topics involving gender and biological sex can be complex and sensitive matters to navigate. You should not reinforce harmful stereotypes, for instance by suggesting that children might be a different gender based on their personality and interests or the clothes they prefer to wear. Resources used in teaching about this topic must always be age-appropriate and evidence based. Materials which suggest that non-conformity to gender stereotypes should be seen as synonymous with having a different gender identity should not be used and you should not work with external agencies or organisations that produce such material. While teachers should not suggest to a child that their non-compliance with gender stereotypes means that either their personality or their body is wrong and in need of changing, teachers should always seek to treat individual students with sympathy and support'.

Don’t label pupils gender identity in RSE, teachers told: TES - https://www.tes.com/news/dont-label-pupi...

Following the Government's updated guidance I would highly recommend Transgender Trend's resource pack which covers advice for school leaders, tips on how to create a school culture of acceptance of gender non-conformity without denying biological sex, communication, primary schools and secondary schools, existing safeguarding policies and guidance, the legal situation for schools, and a glossary of terms - https://www.transgendertrend.com/transge...

Transgender Trend's school resource pack is the only guidance on this subject recommended by Dudley MBC.

I look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully,

JOANNE RICHARDSON

Sandwell MBC, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Ms Joanne Richardson
Your request for information has been passed to an investigating officer.
Your reference is FS-Case-255647119
Thank you
Sandwell MBC
For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find "MyNearest" on their
personalised homepage. For information please go
to [1]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

References

Visible links
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Info Management, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Dear Joanne,

Thank you for your email. I can confirm that your request (FS-255647119) has been allocated.

We are all currently facing unprecedented challenges due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Council will endeavour to provide a response to you within the required timescale.

However, the situation involving COVID-19 changes daily and this may lead to unavoidable delays in responding to your request. We ask that you kindly bear with the Council during this time.

Kindest Regards

Governance Case Worker
Legal and Assurance Services
Sandwell MBC
Oldbury Council House
Freeth Street
Oldbury
B69 3DE
e: [Sandwell Council request email]
w: www.sandwelllegalservices.co.uk
sat nav: please use post code B69 3DB

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If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender and delete the e-mail and all attachments immediately. This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, any reliance on, use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or attachments is strictly prohibited.

This e-mail is not intended nor should it be taken to create any legal relations, contractual or otherwise. Any views or opinions expressed within this e-mail or attachment are solely those of the sender, and do not necessarily represent those of Sandwell Council unless otherwise specifically stated. Sandwell Council is not bound by or liable for any opinion, contract or offer to contract expressed in any e-mail.
E-mail Security: Communication by internet email is not secure as messages can be intercepted and read by someone else. Therefore we strongly advise you not to email any information, which if disclosed to unrelated third parties would be likely to cause harm or distress. If you have an enquiry of this nature please provide a postal address to allow us to communicate with you in a more secure way. If you want us to respond by email you must realise that there can be no guarantee of privacy.

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Sandwell MBC, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Dear Ms Joanne Richardson,
Information Request - FS-Case-255647119
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request. In response to your
request I can confirm the following:
Thank you for your response.
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be
submitted within 14 days of the date of receipt of the response to your
request, and should be addressed to:
Information Management Unit
Sandwell Council House
Freeth Street
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3DE
Email - [Sandwell Council request email]
If you are not content with the outcome of an internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.
Yours sincerely
Sandwell MBC
For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find "MyNearest" on their
personalised homepage. For information please go
to [1]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

References

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JOANNE RICHARDSON

Dear Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council,
My request for information is long overdue. I understand that this a politically charged issue and certain political parties have wholeheartedly taken up the promotion of transgender ideology to the detriment of women and children in regards of safeguarding and women's sex based protected rights under the Equality act 2010.

With new guidance released on 24th September 2020 by the Government: Guidance - Plan your relationships, sex and health curriculum: Gov.UK - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-your-re...
Sandwell Council has been provided with clear information on which organisations should and should not be providing guidance within the council, to schools or other organisations on supporting children, young people identifying as transgender.

I'd also like to recommend this excellent resource from Safe Schools Alliance UK: Safe Schools Alliance UK: Parent’s guide to external PSHE/RSE providers - https://safeschoolsallianceuk.net/wp-con...

There are a number of organisations that offer training on Equality and Diversity, RSE or PSHE to
schools. Safe Schools Alliance have serious concerns about some of the content of the lesson plans and
resources offered by these organisations, where it is not evidence-based, promotes a particular ideology,
or fails to safeguard children.

Yours faithfully,

JOANNE RICHARDSON

Dear Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council,
It's been another month since my last communication with you. I understand that the Covid situation will affect response time but ' the law states that you must respond within 20 working days' and so I really expected to have heard a response by now.
Yours faithfully,

JOANNE RICHARDSON

Dear Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council's handling of my FOI request - FS-Case-230016752 'Concerns about one sided debate about transgenderism on children and young people'.

My initial request was made on 20th July 2020 and Sandwell councils response has been delayed many times since.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/c...

Yours faithfully,

JOANNE RICHARDSON

Info Management, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

This has been forwarded to the relevant department within SMBC with a request that they respond direct to you

Legal and Assurance Services
Sandwell MBC
Oldbury Council House
Freeth Street
Oldbury
B69 3DE
e: [Sandwell Council request email]
w: www.sandwelllegalservices.co.uk                                   
sat nav: please use post code B69 3DB

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If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender and delete the e-mail and all attachments immediately. This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, any reliance on, use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or attachments is strictly prohibited.

This e-mail is not intended nor should it be taken to create any legal relations, contractual or otherwise. Any views or opinions expressed within this e-mail or attachment are solely those of the sender, and do not necessarily represent those of Sandwell Council unless otherwise specifically stated. Sandwell Council is not bound by or liable for any opinion, contract or offer to contract expressed in any e-mail.
E-mail Security: Communication by internet email is not secure as messages can be intercepted and read by someone else. Therefore we strongly advise you not to email any information, which if disclosed to unrelated third parties would be likely to cause harm or distress. If you have an enquiry of this nature please provide a postal address to allow us to communicate with you in a more secure way. If you want us to respond by email you must realise that there can be no guarantee of privacy.

show quoted sections

The Governance Team, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

1 Attachment

Reference: FOI-276558105
Date of request: 25/11/2020
Title of request: Concerns about one sided debate about transgenderism on
children and young people

Dear Joanne Richardson,

Thank you for your Freedom of Information Request.

I can confirm that this will be reviewed and allocated to the appropriate
service area for response.

You will receive a further acknowledgement once your request has been
allocated.

Kind regards
Sandwell Council

Sandwell Council...working for you

[1]www.sandwell.gov.uk

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For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find "MyNearest" on their
personalised homepage. For information please go to
[5]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

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The Governance Team, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Reference: FOI-276558105
Date of request: 25/11/2020
Title of request: Concerns about one sided debate about transgenderism on
children and young people

Dear Joanne Richardson,

Dear Ms Richardson 
I can confirm that we received your request for freedom of information
review of FS-230016752. 
This will be logged and dealt with through our customer complaint system.
kindest regards 
Governance Team

Kind regards
Sandwell Council

Sandwell Council...working for you

[1]www.sandwell.gov.uk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

[2]Facebook    [3]Twitter   [4]YouTube

For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find "MyNearest" on their
personalised homepage. For information please go to
[5]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

References

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Sandwell Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

[1]MySandwell

Dear Ms Richardson,

Your reference number is CU276566452.

Thank you for contacting us. The Customer Feedback team will take a look
at your feedback as soon as possible. You will receive an email shortly
detailing the next steps. However, due to the current unprecedented
circumstances there may be a possible delay in response times. We will
endeavour to contact you as soon as possible.

Kind regards
Customer Feedback Team
For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find ‘MyNearest’ on their
personalised homepage. For information please go
to [2]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

Sandwell Council...working for you
[3]www.sandwell.gov.uk
[4]Facebook    [5]Twitter    [6]YouTube

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5. https://twitter.com/sandwellcouncil
6. http://www.youtube.com/discoversandwell

Info Management, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Good afternoon Ms Richardson

Your review has been logged under the reference CU276566452

Legal and Assurance Services
Sandwell MBC
Oldbury Council House
Freeth Street
Oldbury
B69 3DE
e: [Sandwell Council request email]
w: www.sandwelllegalservices.co.uk                                   
sat nav: please use post code B69 3DB

Legal Services: Commercial Law  .  Prosecutions  .  Licensing  .  Governance  .  Civil and Housing  .  Child Care  .  Employment and Adult Law  .  Property, Planning, Highways, CPO  .  Procurement and Project .  Information Management

If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender and delete the e-mail and all attachments immediately. This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, any reliance on, use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or attachments is strictly prohibited.

This e-mail is not intended nor should it be taken to create any legal relations, contractual or otherwise. Any views or opinions expressed within this e-mail or attachment are solely those of the sender, and do not necessarily represent those of Sandwell Council unless otherwise specifically stated. Sandwell Council is not bound by or liable for any opinion, contract or offer to contract expressed in any e-mail.
E-mail Security: Communication by internet email is not secure as messages can be intercepted and read by someone else. Therefore we strongly advise you not to email any information, which if disclosed to unrelated third parties would be likely to cause harm or distress. If you have an enquiry of this nature please provide a postal address to allow us to communicate with you in a more secure way. If you want us to respond by email you must realise that there can be no guarantee of privacy.

show quoted sections

Sandwell Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

[1]MySandwell

Dear Ms Richardson,

Thank you for your enquiry which is being dealt with in accordance with
Sandwell’s Comments, Compliments and Complaints procedure.

Your enquiry has been passed to an officer in the service area involved
who will be in touch with you shortly.

You should receive a response to your comments within 10 working days.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any
further assistance.

Your reference number is CU276566452.

Kind regards
Customer Feedback Team
For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find ‘MyNearest’ on their
personalised homepage. For information please go
to [2]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

Sandwell Council...working for you
[3]www.sandwell.gov.uk
[4]Facebook    [5]Twitter    [6]YouTube

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JOANNE RICHARDSON

Dear Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council,
Further to my earlier FOI request, for which I'm still awaiting a response, I'd like to draw you attention to the recent case of Keira Bell v Tavistock NHS Trust. On the 1st December 2020 the High Court handed down judgement to protect children from experimental medical interventions with serious known and unknown risks and lifelong consequences.

The judgement concluded that it is highly unlikely that a child aged 13 or under would ever be Gillick competent to give consent to being treated with puberty blockers and very doubtful that children aged 14 and 15 could understand the long-term risks and consequences of treatment in such a way as to have sufficient understanding to give consent.

The court also ruled that it would be appropriate for clinicians to involve the court in any case where there may be any doubt as to whether the long-term interests of a 16 or 17 year-old would be served by the clinical interventions of blockers and hormones.

The full judgement Keira Bell v Tavistock NHS Trust is available here: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uplo...

The Times: Landmark High Court ruling restricts puberty blockers for children - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/landm...

Despite this judgement, many organisations such as Stonewall and Mermaids are still promoting the medical pathway beginning with puberty blockers. I hope that Sandwell MBC would not recommend any such group promoting this experimental medical intervention to any children, young people or parents resident in Sandwell.

Yours faithfully,

JOANNE RICHARDSON

education directorate, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

8 Attachments

Please find attached and below response to Freedom of Information request
FS255647119:

o [1]https://safeschoolsallianceuk.net/get-in...

 

 

Thank you

Education, Skills and Employment Directorate

Sandwell Council...working for you

E: [2][email address]

Education Support Services & Learning Improvement Service

Education, Skills and Employment Directorate

Sandwell Council House

Oldbury

West Midlands

B69 3DE

 

Web: [3]www.sandwell.gov.uk

 

 

Get social with Sandwell...
[4]twitter [5]facebook [6]cid:image011.jpg@01D60846.BA69B0F0 [7]cid:image012.jpg@01D60846.BA69B0F0

 

 

 

“Amanda Carby, PA to Lesley Hagger, Executive Director of Children’s
Services has advised that my FOI  request: Reference  FS-Case-230016752-
'Concerns about one sided debate about transgenderism on children and
young people' and any further requests I have for Sandwell Council need to
be sent to either yourselves the main contact for FOI at Sandwell Council
or the general Sandwell Council questions/requests/complaints/suggestions.

 

Following on from my original FOI I'm pleased to see that the Department
for Education has issued further guidance to schools regarding
Relationship, Sex and Health curriculum.

 

Guidance - Plan your relationships, sex and health curriculum: Gov.UK -
[8]https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-your-re...

 

'We are aware that topics involving gender and biological sex can be
complex and sensitive matters to navigate. You should not reinforce
harmful stereotypes, for instance by suggesting that children might be a
different gender based on their personality and interests or the clothes
they prefer to wear. Resources used in teaching about this topic must
always be age-appropriate and evidence based. Materials which suggest that
non-conformity to gender stereotypes should be seen as synonymous with
having a different gender identity should not be used and you should not
work with external agencies or organisations that produce such material.
While teachers should not suggest to a child that their non-compliance
with gender stereotypes means that either their personality or their body
is wrong and in need of changing, teachers should always seek to treat
individual students with sympathy and support'.

 

Don’t label pupils gender identity in RSE, teachers told: TES -
[9]https://www.tes.com/news/dont-label-pupi...

 

Following the Government's updated guidance I would highly recommend
Transgender Trend's resource pack which covers advice for school leaders,
tips on how to create a school culture of acceptance of gender
non-conformity without denying biological sex, communication, primary
schools and secondary schools, existing safeguarding policies and
guidance, the legal situation for schools, and a glossary of terms -
[10]https://www.transgendertrend.com/transge...

 

Transgender Trend's school resource pack is the only guidance on this
subject recommended by Dudley MBC.

 

I look forward to your response.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

JOANNE RICHARDSON”

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://safeschoolsallianceuk.net/get-in...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. file:///tmp/www.sandwell.gov.uk
4. http://twitter.com/sandwellcouncil
5. http://www.facebook.com/sandwellcouncil
6. http://www.instagram.com/sandwellcouncil
7. https://www.youtube.com/user/sandwellcha...
8. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-your-re
9. https://www.tes.com/news/dont-label-pupi
10. https://www.transgendertrend.com/transge

Dear education directorate,
Thank you for sharing a photograph of a message on a screen (Picture 1.10.20.docx) and a letter (Letter 1.10.20.docx). In sharing this information you have not told me from where this correspondence originated or how this influences Sandwell council's position.
I look forward to receiving a complete response from you.

Yours sincerely,
JOANNE RICHARDSON

education directorate, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

The letter originates from the Safer Schools Partnership, the local authority are following DfE guidance.

Thank you
Education, Skills and Employment Directorate

Sandwell Council...working for you
E: [email address]
Education Support Services & Learning Improvement Service
Education, Skills and Employment Directorate
Sandwell Council House
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3DE

Web: www.sandwell.gov.uk

Get social with Sandwell...    

show quoted sections

JOANNE RICHARDSON

Dear education directorate,

I think you mean Safe Schools Alliance UK but thank you for your reply. It's a shame it's taken 6 months for you to supply this information.

Yours sincerely,
JOANNE RICHARDSON

The Governance Team, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

1 Attachment

Reference: FOI-308366195
Date of request: 16/02/2021
Title of request: FS-Case-230016752 'Concerns about one sided debate about
transgenderism on children and young people'.

Dear Joanna Richardson,

Thank you for your Freedom of Information Request.

I can confirm that this will be reviewed and allocated to the appropriate
service area for response.

You will receive a further acknowledgement once your request has been
allocated.

Kind regards
Sandwell Council

Sandwell Council...working for you

[1]www.sandwell.gov.uk

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For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find "MyNearest" on their
personalised homepage. For information please go to
[5]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

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Sandwell Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

[1]MySandwell

Dear Ms Richardson,

We have responded to your case with reference number CU276566452.

I am writing in response to your request for a review of your Freedom of
Information Enquiry. 

Regrettably this was not allocated correctly and therefore there has been
a delay in the review taking place.  Please accept our apologies for this
and we can assure you that it is now correctly allocated to Children's
Services who will write to you directly with their response.

The reference number for this is FOI-308366195 and we have requested that
the review should take place within 10 working days.

Once again, our apologies for this delay and for any inconvenience this
may have caused.

 

 

 

 

Kind regards
Customer Feedback Team
For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find ‘MyNearest’ on their
personalised homepage. For information please go
to [2]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

Sandwell Council...working for you
[3]www.sandwell.gov.uk
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Sandwell Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

[1]MySandwell

Dear Ms Richardson,

We have responded to your case with reference number CU276566452.

We have now closed this enquiry on the system as this was logged as a
duplicate
Please do not hesitate to contact us if needed

Kind regards
Customer Feedback Team
For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find ‘MyNearest’ on their
personalised homepage. For information please go
to [2]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

Sandwell Council...working for you
[3]www.sandwell.gov.uk
[4]Facebook    [5]Twitter    [6]YouTube

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The Governance Team, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

1 Attachment

Reference: FOI-308366195
Date of request: 16/02/2021
Title of request: FS-Case-230016752 'Concerns about one sided debate about
transgenderism on children and young people'.

Dear Joanna Richardson,

Please see the attached letter in response to your FOI Review Request FOI
308366195.

Kind regards
Sandwell Council

Sandwell Council...working for you

[1]www.sandwell.gov.uk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

[2]Facebook    [3]Twitter   [4]YouTube

For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find "MyNearest" on their
personalised homepage. For information please go to
[5]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

References

Visible links
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2. https://www.facebook.com/sandwellcouncil
3. https://twitter.com/sandwellcouncil
5. http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell