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Gender Incongruence
We know that gender incongruence (when your gender is different to the gender you were assigned at birth) is not a mental health disorder. However, we also know that a high number of children and young people who are concerned about, or distressed by, issues of gender incongruence experience mental health, neuro-developmental and or personal, family or social complexities in their lives.
Following the Cass Review, a new model of care has been developed for children and young people with gender incongruence. The previous service, provided by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust closed in March 2024 and two new services commenced. The new services based in the North West (a partnership between Alder Hey Children’s and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital) and London (a partnership between Great Ormond Street Hospital, Evelina London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust) both opened on 1st April 2024. Further regional centres will be developed over the next two years.
Within West Yorkshire we are mindful of the long waits for this national service and the distress that this has caused, and is causing, our young people and their families. In response to this the following resources are for our local population, and for professionals in services working with children and families who are impacted by the changes and long waits.
If you want to explore your gender identity in a safe space, are on the waiting list for the above service, considering a referral to the service, or working with anyone impacted please note that there is currently a support offer provided though Barnardo’s Positive Identities service in West Yorkshire. This was set up in response to the increasing need for holistic support for trans young people, and the long waits many children and young people were and are experiencing when seeking gender identity support via a medical pathway.
The Positive Identities Service is running a service called Gender Space. This service offers online one to one and group therapeutic support for young people who identify as trans, non-binary and/or gender questioning (age 13 to 18, up to 19th birthday). A group is also available for parents and carers.
The format consists of 1 to 3 one to one introductory sessions, six group sessions, then an optional (for young people) course of up to 6 individual therapy sessions, if an appropriate next step. The groups run on either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. The group for parents and carers of young people runs on a Monday or Thursday. Exact days and times for all groups will be based on demand and preference. Please note that in order for a parent or carer to access the groups, they do not need to have a young person already accessing Gender Space support. The referral form can be found online. Self referrals are also accepted.
There is currently legislation that restricts the prescribing of puberty blockers (gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues), and a temporary ban on the sale and supply of them. This ban came into force in Great Britain on 3 September 2024. Children, young people, and their families are strongly discouraged from sourcing puberty suppressing or gender affirming hormones from unregulated sources or from online providers that are not regulated by UK regulatory bodies. Advice to parents, carers or guardians can be found here.
Further support
More support and information can be found on the following websites:
Gendered Intelligence has in person offers in London and Leeds, and online offers countrywide. There is also an annual residential which is open to all in the country. They reimburse travel costs for in person attendance to groups. They also have online resources.
Transtastic, Yorkshire MESMAC is a Trans youth group for people who identify as Trans aged 13 to 18 years old that is run through the Leeds City Council Youth Services. It aims to support Trans and gender questioning young people with a wide range of activities and mutual peer support.
BLAGY (Bradford). This is a social and support group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people aged 14 to 25. They meet weekly on a Wednesday evening. For more information call 01274 395815 or 07810 550534 or email bradford
The Phoenix Trans Youth Group group in Bradford is for young people aged 13 to 21 who identify as Trans or may be questioning their gender.
The Brunswick Centre offers youth groups in Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Halifax, and a one to one support offer in Calderdale. They also have a parent and carer support group, and information sessions for families.
The Proud Trust website has lots of resources, and a search tool to help you find an LGBTQ+ youth group near you. The organisation itself runs in person in Manchester and Greater Manchester.