Item 26 Public Engagement

Public Question from Mr Adrian Hart

For several years, a very serious schools safeguarding matter raised by parents has been rebuffed by BHCC. I refer to my question at Full Council 20/07/23 but also to the parents trying desperately to alert BHCC to the plight of their children who are typically autistic, female and same sex attracted (you will be aware of this case - see [1]). These pupils represent a subset of the group who have been 'affirmed' at school (i.e. henceforth, the child identifies as the opposite sex and the school participates with the process of ‘socially transition’). The logical next step for these pupils has been to seek puberty blockers and/or proceed along a medical pathway to transition. While it has been argued that the latest version of the ‘Toolkit’ guidance adheres to legal safeguarding requirements, will the Chair meet with PSHE Brighton parents and listen to their truly shocking accounts?     

[1] I recognise that neither the Board nor BHCC can comment on the ongoing case linked below but the article describes the avenue taken by just of one of many parents whose complaints are well known to, albeit a tiny few, senior people at BHCC:
https://archive.ph/2024.12.22-072840/https:/www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/22/nhs-faces-high-court-legal-fight-over-cross-sex-hormones/