Subject: Public Involvement – Written Questions

Date of meeting: 11 September 2023

WRITTEN QUESTIONS

A period of not more than fifteen minutes shall be allowed at each ordinary meeting for questions submitted by a member of the public.

The question will be answered without discussion. The person who asked the question may ask one relevant supplementary question, which shall be put and answered without discussion. The person to whom a question, or supplementary question, has been put may decline to answer it.

The following written questions have been received from members of the public:

2. Social transitioning

The Council recently responded to a Freedom of Information request (1) by stating that it "[does] not have a specific policy about social transitioning in schools".

Officers further clarified that the council's Trans Inclusion Schools Toolkit represents guidance rather than policy and that schools are free to choose the toolkit's gender affirmative model.

Given the findings of the Interim Cass Report (2) to the NHS (the Independent Review of Gender Identity services for children and young people) does the chair agree with me that the toolkit's affirmative approach steers children toward a single transgender identity, with other options left unexplored?

Notes:

(1) FOI 13779865

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/i_am_requesting_clarification_on£incoming-2390294

(2) The Cass Report states: "There are different views on the benefits versus the harms of early social transition. Whatever position one takes, it is important to acknowledge that it is not a neutral act and better information is needed about outcomes". P62/3

https://cass.independent-review.uk/publications/interim-report

Name: Lesley Hammond

3. The Hive

The Hive was commissioned to meet needs of Autistic children with school-based anxiety. Most haven't attended school for months/ years due to lack of provision meeting their EHCP-stated needs.

Cosmur were contracted to refurbish the site in January, for September opening but failed to deliver, with parents given 14 days' notice of switching to a temporary site which isn't suitable for meeting these children's needs.

Please outline steps taken to avoid this outcome, including risk assessments on potential delay and contingency planning regarding transition needs, ongoing education, in the event the site wouldn't be available? On Reflection, was planning robust?

Name: Simone Birch