Reimagining Youth Work and Sexual Health Nicky Coia

Re-imagining Youth Work and Sexual Health Nicky Coia NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Rachel Barr NHS Lothian

What we will cover today • What we know about young people pre-pandemic • What we know and can predict has happened since March • Resources that can support youth workers

Chlamydia in Scotland 2015 -2019

Gonorrhoea in Scotland 2015 -2019

What we already know and can anticipate 1. Some young people continued to be sexually active during lockdown and have been since 2. Sexual Health Services were largely inaccessible 3. Access to contraception, condoms, STI testing limited 4. Increased use of pornography 5. Children and young people had heightened support needs in relation to their mental health 6. Online child sexual abuse increased 7. Child sexual abuse within the family increased

2. What sexual health and relationship issues are you aware of for young people you work with during the COVID 19 pandemic? (Tick all that apply) Number of respondents: 44, selected answers: 154

https: //www. gov. scot/publications/key-messages-youngpeople-healthy-relationships-consent-resourceprofessionals-working-young-people/

Experience of consent • Low levels of knowledge about consent • Relationships with a degree of vulnerability or exploitation not uncommon • Age and gender difference in experiences of sexual abuse or rape Scot Govt 2017, NHS GG&C 2015 &NATSAL

Content

Wider Policy context for RSHP For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

RSHP Education: what are the benefits? Rights & Protective factors Supporting them to become healthy & happy adults Helping them understand consent and their right to give or withhold consent in a range of situations Supporting them to become critical thinkers and develop digital resilience Delaying the onset of sexual activity and making safer choices when they do enter into sexual relationships Preparing them for things like body changes, developing healthy relationships and keeping themselves safe Encouraging respect and acceptance of others Understanding what a healthy relationships looks and feels like Helping them be more aware of risks and consequences For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

RSHP Education: what young people say. . “It should be based upon the age you are at and not all about ‘when you get older’” “Start this education early enough & make it compulsory for PSE because it often gets missed out” “They say they give you sex ed but they just give you the stuff you know already from primary school - you don’t get to know the important details such as condom sizes. It’s like schools are scared to tell us the right stuff. ” (Secondary School pupil) “All resources should be new and up to date. . . not fuzzy old dvd/clips” “Sex education needs to be LGBTI inclusive” For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

RSHP Resource 3 -18: Why develop a national resource? • To improve the quality, relevance, consistency and coverage of RSHP Education • To support educators in the delivery of this topic area • To better reflect the diversity and rights of children and young people, including girls and young women, LGBT young people and young people with disabilities For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

RSHP Resource 3 -18: What is it? • • An online teaching and learning resource at https: //rshp. scot/ Age and stage appropriate for learners 3 -18 years Up-to-date and engaging and meeting the needs of learners with additional support needs, including mild to moderate learning disabilities Supporting conversations with parents and carers For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

Mapping by theme: https: //rshp. scot/about-theresource/#mappinglearning Bodily autonomy, consent and protection from harm Emotional wellbeing and help-seeking behaviour Equalities and inclusion Gender equality, discrimination and gender-based violence • Parenthood and families • Relationships and friendships • Sexual health and reproduction • • For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

How can we work together? • Sign up for updates at rshp. scot • Tell us how you find using the resource, how can we improve it? • We can offer online CPD to staff

What role can youth work play in young people’s sexual health? • What’s your initial thoughts? • Has anyone used the RSHP resource? • What’s your experience of discussing sexual health with young people? • Have you provided condoms or do you know how to link to local sexual health services?