Decisions in sexual health education

Abstract

Dear colleagues, Sexual health is always high on the school health agenda – and is always a contentious issue with many perspectives. Central to our role is, as always, providing evidence-based, factual and effective information and interventions which support children and young people in making healthy and positive choices. This is one area of school health, and particularly of school health nursing, where all elements of the practice continuum are involved – from the widest population-based levels of public health and health promotion issues, to individual one-to-one patient care. Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) throughout the curricula – from early years right through to secondary education – is one forum for improving sexual health. It is fundamental that children learn that they have the right of control and choice over how contact is made with their bodies, by whom and when (including the appropriateness of context). Recent high profile cases of child abuse absolutely highlight this issue and demonstrate the need for our services to support children and young people through not only the process of healthy sexual maturation, but also understanding of context, as well as providing support and information for children who have concerns. How to deliver this work, without creating an atmosphere of fear, anxiety or distrust is an area in which school health excels and this is further developed in this issue.