Agenda item

8.1

The Sheffield Adult Safeguarding Partnership Board is seeking endorsement on its proposal to produce a position statement on Conversion Therapy or Practice and to note its direction of travel.

Conversion Practice is any intervention that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It works towards one goal and that goal is to cure someone from being LGBTQIA+.

The proposal for a position statement supports the rights and autonomy of all people, regardless of sexual identity, and takes a gender affirming perspective. We are asking our Council members and wider organisations to endorse the position statement which condemns this harmful and unethical practice.

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(1) approves sign up to the Adult Safeguarding Board Conversion Practice Position statement and delivery plan; and

(2) requests the Director of Adult Health and Social Care to bring an update to Committee on an annual basis regards implementation of the statement.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

Endorsing and noting the direction of travel will:

• Raise awareness of the practice of Conversion therapy in Sheffield.

• Encourage the LGBTQ+ community to speak out with confidence where they are subjected to this practice.

• Provide strategies within a framework to support the LGBTQ+ community.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

A position statement is proposed to define the issues and implement strategies that will produce a measurable and positive result for the LGBTQ+ community. It will also provide a framework for guidance rather than a mandatory policy which cannot be enforced across the numerous organisations which we hope to sign up.

7.1

The Director of Adult Health and Social Care submitted a report stating that the Sheffield Adult Safeguarding Partnership Board is seeking endorsement on its proposal to produce a position statement on Conversion Therapy or Practice and to note its direction of travel.

Conversion Practice is any intervention that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It works towards one goal and that goal is to cure someone from being LGBTQIA+.

The proposal for a position statement supports the rights and autonomy of all people, regardless of sexual identity, and takes a gender affirming perspective. We are asking our Council members and wider organisations to endorse the position statement which condemns this harmful and unethical practice.

At this point in the proceedings Dr Nicky Cowan asked a public question as follows:

“I am concerned that the SCC’s report on conversion therapy makes no reference to the painstaking research of Dr Hilary Cass (to be found in the Interim Cass report). This research casts serious doubts on the Tavistock Gender Identity Clinic’s practice of affirmation only for gender confused children. As such I fear that supporting this proposed ban on conversion therapy , instead of protecting children, could be harmful to them.

I am therefore asking the following: would this committee please pause any consideration of the SCC’s report advocating a ban on conversion therapy until the final Cass Report has been published (due out the end of this year) and committee members have read it?

As a psychiatrist, I would be happy to assist councillors with any of the medical evidence relating to the report”.

It was agreed that the points now raised be noted and that ensuing debate on the issue would provide further information and background to the proposal. In particular it was noted that the work carried out by the Sheffield Adult Safeguarding Partnership Board had been adults focused and that there was a need to ensure that there were no unintended consequences to the position statement.  Further work to enhance the statement would be undertaken as necessary.

7.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(1) approves sign up to the Adult Safeguarding Board Conversion Practice Position statement and delivery plan; and

(2) requests the Director of Adult Health and Social Care to bring an update to Committee on an annual basis regards implementation of the statement.

7.3

Reasons for Decision

7.3.1

Endorsing and noting the direction of travel will:

• Raise awareness of the practice of Conversion therapy in Sheffield.

• Encourage the LGBTQ+ community to speak out with confidence where they are subjected to this practice.

• Provide strategies within a framework to support the LGBTQ+ community.

7.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

7.4.1

A position statement is proposed to define the issues and implement strategies that will produce a measurable and positive result for the LGBTQ+ community. It will also provide a framework for guidance rather than a mandatory policy which cannot be enforced across the numerous organisations which we hope to sign up.