FOI Request - Looked After Children

Request 101003600846

For the purpose of these questions, ‘sex’ refers to a child’s biological sex, whereas gender refers to perceived gender identity that a person may consider they have, that may or may not match their biological sex.

Please provide any information that you hold in relation to the questions below:

1.  Information relating to the total number of Looked After Children in your care

2.  Information relating to the number of Looked After Children in your care currently who have expressed that they may be a different gender to their sex or expressed a wish to change their gender. I would like to know:

a)  The total number of such children

In addition, if you can provide the information below without identifying children, I would also like to know:

b)  The number of such children aged 10 and under

c)  The number of such children who are:
i.      Biologically male; i.e. their sex at birth was male
ii.      Biologically female; i.e. their sex at birth was female

3.  Information relating to the number of Looked After Children in your care who have been referred to an NHS Service in the last 48 months due to their expression of gender dysphoria, gender incongruence, or the belief that their gender identity is different to their sex.

4.  Documents relating to any training or resources you have used from an external provider (charity or commercial organisation) on gender identity, sex and sexuality, or transition in the last 48 months.

a)  If training has been provided, please provide details of the organisations who provided the training, the date, and the cost to the Local Authority.

5.  A copy of all your policies relating to transgender or gender questioning Looked After Children.

6.  Who, if anyone, would the Local Authority consult before allowing a Looked After Child to socially transition (i.e. identify as a different gender to their sex). Please name all relevant roles.

7.  Whether you are a member of any Stonewall schemed including their “Diversity Champion” scheme

a)  Whether you have been a member of any Stonewall schemes in the last 48 months.

b)  Any application you have made to Stonewall to be a “Stonewall Diversity Champion” or to be included on Stonewall’s “Workplace Equality Index”.

Please provide any relevant documents that set out this information

Response 30-07-2024

1. 92

2. a) nil

b) Not applicable

c) i.& ii. Not applicable

3. Not held. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.

4. Not held. There have been no documents in relation to this topic. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.

a) Not applicable

5. Not held. We have no policies or procedures relating to this area. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.

6. Not applicable

7. No 

a) No

b) Not applicable