Brook’s statement on forthcoming RSHE Guidance

It has been widely reported that the draft RSHE guidance will be published on Thursday 16 May. As an organisation dedicated to fighting for improved Relationships and Sex Education we are deeply concerned by the severe age-restrictions that may be imposed by this guidance. Young people are already disproportionately affected by STIs, they are experiencing extreme misogyny and sexual harassment in schools, and their mental health (particularly those who identify as LGBT+) is at crisis point. Denying young people the right to timely, inclusive and comprehensive sexual health information and education will only put them at greater risk of harm.  

Schools should be reminded to continue working to the 2019 statutory guidance. Nothing in the draft guidance has statutory status until the completion of the public consultation and the publication of rewritten guidance informed by that consultation. 

Once the draft guidance is published, we will: 

• provide detailed comment on the content 
• share links to the draft guidance widely and encourage everyone to respond to the consultation  
• provide our perspective and advice on key issues to respond to 
• work with young people to ensure their views are heard during the consultation process 

Alongside organisations across the health, education, safeguarding and youth sectors we are looking for guidance that will build on the work done since 2017 to ensure that all children and young people can participate in high-quality Relationships and Sex Education that keeps them safe. These are the things we will be looking for in the revised guidance: 

• reassurance that any recommended age-ratings included in the guidance will give schools the flexibility and confidence to address critical issues in a timely way 
• that the guidance will support robust safeguarding 
• evidence that it has been informed by expert advice and up to date research 
• evidence that it has taken into account young people’s views and voices 
• practical evidence-based advice for schools about how to address sexual bullying and sexual violence through RSE 
• a continued commitment to a curriculum and approach that is LGBT+ inclusive 

Here is a brief definition of the kind of high-quality, inclusive RSHE we would like the guidance to support. If you agree that this is the kind of RSHE young people in England need please sign and share the pledge and prepare to respond to the guidance consultation.