Service pathway for older adolescents in the gender identity development service (GIDS) (UK)

The GID service is a nationally commissioned service for gender diverse young people up to the age of 18 years old. Media attention (both national and social) has increased awareness of gender services and momentum in the... [ view full abstract ]

The GID service is a nationally commissioned service for gender diverse young people up to the age of 18 years old.
Media attention (both national and social) has increased awareness of gender services and momentum in the development of societal norms in respect to gender. As such, the rapidly developing context around gender may have contributed to an unprecedented and rapid increase in referrals, which has outstripped workforce capacity and created a wait exceeding the National Health Service guidelines of 18 weeks.
Demands from increased referrals and the specific needs of older adolescents referred to the GID service provided the impetus from clinicians to develop a number of innovations to meet the growing needs of this client group.
One of the challenges presented by this scenario was to provide a service of value to the client, with a limited time-frame available, in the context of ensuring a secure and seamless transfer to the adult service chosen by the young person. Consequently an ‘older adolescent’ pathway was developed in response to this service need.

The aim was to provide 17 year olds with: quicker access to the service, provide an assessment in a limited time-frame, to facilitate decision-making and create progression to adult services and to provide support and... [ view full abstract ]

The aim was to provide 17 year olds with: quicker access to the service, provide an assessment in a limited time-frame, to facilitate decision-making and create progression to adult services and to provide support and opportunities for young people and parents to connect with other families.
This presentation will describe the innovations developed to meet these demands. We aim to present the impact on waiting lists, waiting times, and evaluate service users’ and clinicians’ feedback.

The service developments were evaluated by service users and clinicians within GIDS by a semi-structured questionnaire. Data on the impact on service performance in relation to waiting times was drawn from standard service... [ view full abstract ]

The service developments were evaluated by service users and clinicians within GIDS by a semi-structured questionnaire.
Data on the impact on service performance in relation to waiting times was drawn from standard service information.

A feedback questionnaire was created for both the young people and parents to complete at the end of the group. The first part of the questionnaire consists of 8 comments relating to group experience, which they are asked to... [ view full abstract ]

A feedback questionnaire was created for both the young people and parents to complete at the end of the group. The first part of the questionnaire consists of 8 comments relating to group experience, which they are asked to rate on a 5-point Likert scale. The second part of the questionnaire asks three open-ended questions regarding their experience of the service.

The new pathway was developed to meet the unique needs of older adolescents referred to the service. The pathway consists of three stages which allow young people to be introduced to gender services: 1. The first consisted of... [ view full abstract ]

The new pathway was developed to meet the unique needs of older adolescents referred to the service. The pathway consists of three stages which allow young people to be introduced to gender services:
1. The first consisted of a self-report pre-assessment using the 'All About Me' booklet, which asked for a number of statements around the history, development and experience of the young person’s gender. A battery of standardised questionnaires was included exploring general wellbeing, social responsiveness, early and more recent gender history and body image.
2. The young people are invited to a group consisting of a presentation meeting for families exploring topics on gender, service pathways and decision-making, and following a break, a young people’s and parent’s discussion groups.
3. The option of a one-to-one follow-up appointment with a clinician is offered to discuss individual needs which may include further work with GIDS or referral to adult services.
A reduction in the waiting list and waiting times were observed within GIDS. Feedback demonstrated that the majority of young people were satisfied with and valued the presentations and discussion groups. An exploration of the results in the context of clinician feedback and socio-cultural context will be presented.

The development of the Older Adolescent pathway has utilised a number of innovations that has provided a valued service to older adolescents and their families. Although contact with the GID service may be brief, the families... [ view full abstract ]

The development of the Older Adolescent pathway has utilised a number of innovations that has provided a valued service to older adolescents and their families. Although contact with the GID service may be brief, the families are provided with specialist advice and information, assessment, support and opportunities to develop social networks within the transgender community. These innovations led to reduced waiting times for older adolescents and greater movement through gender service pathways within the United Kingdom.