Non-Binary Working Group - Government Support Services Sub-Group minutes: 16 December 2021

Attendees and apologies

Attendees

• Louise Thompson, Homelessness Unit, Scottish Government
• Olivia Sharkey, Homelessness Unit, Scottish Government
• Julie Stewart, Homelessness Unit, Scottish Government
• Andrew McNamee, Reserved Benefits Unit, Scottish Government

Group members

• Dr Ben Vincent, The Open University
• Vic Valentine, Scottish Trans
• Megan Snedden, Stonewall Scotland
• Katrina Mitchell, LGBT Health & Wellbeing
• Dr Carolynn Gray, The University of the West of Scotland
• Dr Peter Dunne, The University of Bristol

Secretariat

• Keir McDonald - Equality and Inclusion Division, Scottish Government

Apologies

• Oceana Maund, Scottish Trans

Items and actions

Key discussion points

The group discussed:

Homelessness Policy

• the “duty” of Local Authorities to investigate instances where individuals had made themselves homeless had been revised to a “power”
• "intentionality” and local connection were important for non-binary people and training on these issues was suggested for local authorities
• limited data on the impact of homelessness on LGBT communities. Collection of more data, particularly on non-binary people, was necessary
• the need for an intersectional approach
• equality Impact Assessments (EQIAs) on existing policies to ensure that they were suitable, including the possibility of amending policies, if evidence supported it

Reserved Benefits Policy

• importance of benefits as they often impacted the most marginalised
• the officials present focused on reserved benefits policy and devolved benefits sit with Social Security Scotland. Social Security Scotland is best placed to advise
• issues faced by non-binary people using the benefits system, including their view that it was particularly gendered and they did not want this to be replicated in Scotland
• a third gender variable would not be the solution – instead, removing gender variables which were not essential to delivering the service may be preferable

Action: homelessness officials to share details of LGBTI Equality Team with Change Group leads to explore these issues