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Boys who identify as female will now be allowed to join the Girl Guides, Brownies and Rainbows as part of radical changes to the organisation’s single-sex policy, it has emerged.

A document sent out to leaders last week explains membership will be judged on “ self-identity” rather than biological gender , which means boys between the ages of five and 14 will be able to join a group without having to undergo medical treatment or dress as a girl.

The same also applies to adults wishing to become leaders.

The document states: “Girlguiding aims to support all girls and young women. This is understood in terms of the way a person self-identifies their gender identity - a person’s inner sense of self.”

The new rules also state that parents and children should not be told if a biological male who identifies as female joins their group as it might cause alarm over sharing facilities during trips away.

It says: “It is not a requirement - or best practice - to tell parents that a trans person will be attending a residential event.”

The changes have caused alarm among concerned parents.

Amanda Gracey, whose six-year-old daughter recently joined a Rainbows group in Bristol, said: “It’s shocking that if there is a man who believes he is a woman leading the group, it is forbidden that parents should be informed, even on residential trips.

“You might be in a situation with girls having to deal with menstruation going to a leader with no understanding at all.

“Every piece of safeguarding advice says you should provide separate sleeping and changing facilities for children of opposite sexes under the age of 18.”

Chief executive Julie Bentley, said: “Girlguiding complies with the Equality Act 2010 which makes clear organisations providing single-gender services should treat people according to their acquired gender.

“In line with our values of inclusion, we welcome any young person who self-identifies as a girl or young woman.”