Independent review of gender identity services for children and young people published
Dr Hilary Cass was commissioned by NHS England to conduct an independent review on gender identity services for children and young people. Her final report was published on 10 April 2024. This describes what is known about the young people seeking support around their gender identity and sets out the recommended clinical approach to care and support, interventions that should be available, and how services should be organised. It also makes recommendations on the quality improvement and research infrastructure required to ensure that the evidence base underpinning care for children and young people exploring their gender identity is strengthened.
Details about the review and the approach it has taken can be found here and includes an interim report and the final report. The review has made a number of core recommendations including children and young people should receive a holistic assessment of their needs when they are referred to NHS gender services and that there should be more research about characteristics, interventions and outcomes for young people presenting to NHS gender services. Here is an overview of findings and recommendations.
The NHS will be considering the findings in the report and will set out a full implementation plan. NHS England announced in March 2024 that puberty suppressing hormones are not available as a routine commissioning treatment option for treatment of children and young people who have gender incongruence / gender dysphoria. The Gender Identity Development Service at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust was also closed on 31 March 2024.
We will keep you updated on further developments and any policy or regulatory changes stemming from Dr Cass’ report. We will also seek clarification on how these recommendations will affect social workers and other professionals, as well as carers, working with or looking after children and young people in adoption, fostering or kinship care.