To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it will review any guidance in relation to the teaching of gender identity in schools, in light of the Cass report. (S6O-03835)

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the guidance remains up to date and fit for purpose. As with any significant legal or policy development, we will consider whether the guidance requires to be updated to reflect that. That will include any findings of the “Cass Review—implications for Scotland report” that are relevant to schools.

Dr Hilary Cass said that social transition

“is not a neutral act”,

but teachers with no experience in that area allow pupils to socially transition and, indeed, are encouraged to do so by the “Supporting transgender young people in schools” guidance. Is it not morally wrong to teach our children that they could be born in the wrong body and that it is possible to change one’s sex? Why, despite the Cass review’s findings, is the Scottish Government continuing to allow and encourage gender ideology in schools?

The “Cass Review—implications for Scotland” report, which was commissioned by the chief medical officer, set out the review’s recommendations, which have been accepted. They are relevant to gender identity and healthcare improvement in NHS Scotland. The report also recommends how such clinical services should be best delivered in NHS Scotland, and those recommendations are now being acted on.

However, neither the report nor the Cass review examined or considered education settings, which is an important point. The Cass review’s remit was to consider NHS England’s provision of healthcare for children and young people who seek clinical support relating to their gender identity via national health service clinical services. Such services are not provided by schools or by school staff.

I am clear that it is not the role of schools or school staff to encourage or practically support a young person with regard to their decision about their gender identity. That is a matter for the young person and their families.

In recognition of the importance of ensuring that our guidance for schools is as up to date as possible, as I indicated in my previous response, the guidance for schools will be updated to reflect any relevant changes and information relating to gender identity services in Scotland, as appropriate.

For many young LGBTQ+ people, home is not always a safe space where they can be themselves. A trusted teacher might be the only person available for them to confide in and turn to for advice and support. In a time of rising hostility and fearmongering around the LGBTQ community—and young trans people in particular—will the cabinet secretary outline how the Scottish Government will ensure that young people who might be questioning their sexuality or gender identity are able to go to a trusted educational professional for support and information?

Emma Roddick makes a hugely important point. I am clear that it is essential that all young people are able to seek pastoral support, including advice, from school staff. I also agree that there might be an increased need for such support, given the current on-going discourse in wider society in relation to LGBT young people and their rights. The situation has become more challenging in recent years, which is exactly why it is important that young people are able to have those relationships with people in their schools.

As has been mentioned, Dr Hilary Cass highlighted that social transitioning in classrooms was setting some children on a pathway to irreversible medical interventions. In addition, it has been widely reported that Scottish primary schools are appointing children as LGBT champions and are asking pupils as young as four whether they are transgender. Will the cabinet secretary confirm whether the Scottish Government will look into the role that taxpayer-funded organisations such as LGBT Youth Scotland play in teaching gender identity in our schools?

The issue in relation to LGBT Youth Scotland—which, I should say, is not actually funded by the education and skills portfolio—has already been discussed in the chamber in recent months. We work with a variety of third sector organisations, including LGBT Youth Scotland, to help to shape policy and practice and to improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ communities.

Funding is awarded to LGBT Youth Scotland through our equality and human rights fund. It delivers a range of projects to support young people, and we are committed to working with organisations to support young people in their education.

Going back to Emma Roddick’s point, I note that that work has become much more important at a time when there has been a rise in the number of attacks against the LGBTQ+ community. It is, of course, up to individual schools, colleges and universities to decide whether they want to adopt the LGBT Youth Scotland charter for education, and I encourage the member to visit schools in her local area to see the impact of the charter in practice.