Assessment, Management and Outcomes for GIDS CYP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Retrospective secondary data analysis of the Outcomes for children and young people referred to a National Gender Identity Development Service between 2009 – 2020.
IRAS ID
357397
Contact name
Edward Kendall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS England
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 29 days
Research summary
Some children and young people can experience significant levels of gender-related distress during their development. This distress can arise from a persistent mismatch between a young person’s gender identity and the sex they were registered/assigned at birth1.
The number of children and young people previously referred to the Tavistock and Portman’s Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) – now superseded by redesigned specialised gender services, but previously the only NHS funded service for young people with gender related distress in England - rose over a decade, resulting in lengthy waiting times and uncertainty for young people and their families. There were also changes in the group of young people referred, including an increase in birth-registered females being referred and a high representation of young people who have traits or a diagnosis of autistic spectrum condition. To improve the planning and design of NHS services, as well as clinical decision-making for and with patients, there is a need for more medium and long term outcome data, and analysis. We want to better understand the needs of this changing population, identify the management options offered and assess outcomes for children and young people who have experienced gender related distress.
This analysis will use data collected within the NHS, including data from the former Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), prescribing data, hospital wards, outpatient clinics and emergency departments and adult gender identity clinics to assess the intermediate and longer-term outcomes for children and young people referred to the GIDS service. The analysis will look at changing features of these children, e.g. age at referral, co-occurring diagnoses of autism and/or other mental health difficulties, assess if some groups of children are more likely to follow a medical or non-medical approach to managing their gender related distress, and report , where identified, patterns of longer-term outcomes including successful transition, detransition and mental health outcomes.This data should provide valuable evidence for clinicians and policy makers planning and delivering services for children and young people.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/YH/0036
Date of REC Opinion
16 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion