Relationships & Sex
People who have Down’s syndrome and other learning disabilities have a right to exist as sexual beings, and to receive accessible information to enable them to enjoy sex.
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is essential in supporting people with learning disabilities to understand their rights, their freedoms to sexual expression, consent, boundaries and safe sex. RSE is also important in providing people with learning disabilities the tools to understand their own body and crucial in protecting individuals from abuse.
Our Aim
Relationships can bring much joy and fulfilment to individuals, and people with a learning disability should not be excluded from experiencing this. Some parents or carers may feel that the person who has Down’s syndrome does not need RSE due to not wanting a romantic relationship, or feeling that the individual does not have the understanding to engage in one.
RSE is important for everyone as it teaches us things that are a part of our everyday lives, such as consent, privacy and boundaries, understanding our bodies and relationships (both platonic and romantic). It also provides individuals with the knowledge to protect themselves from abuse and exploitation.
Secondary School Relationships & Sex Education
Many parents and carers worry about the impact of starting Relationship and Sex Education too early, and the concern that this may encourage early sexual activity. This is addressed in UK government guidance for teaching RSE relationships in secondary schools:
‘Effective RSE does not encourage early sexual experimentation. It should teach young people to understand human sexuality and to respect themselves and others. It enables young people to mature, build their confidence and self-esteem and understand the reasons for delaying sexual activity. Effective RSE also supports people, throughout life, to develop safe, fulfilling and healthy sexual relationships, at the appropriate time’.
Being frank and open about the issues surrounding sex, relationships and bodies will create a safe environment where the young person feels able to ask questions. It is important to remember, however, that young people who have Down’s syndrome may not be able to do this as freely as typically developing children; they may need additional visual prompts and guidance.
In order to support parents, carers and practitioners in discussing Relationships and Sex, we have created accessible resources for young people.
The Let’s Talk about Relationships and Sex – Teenage resources are five separate packs, covering consent, relationships, privacy and boundaries, gender, sexuality and safe sex and sexual acts.
Each pack is visually based and tailored to the general learning needs of people who have Down’s syndrome. We have an extra, sixth pack which is a collection of accessible, clear and uncomplicated illustrations that can be used to increase understanding of private body parts and sexual acts.
Adult Relationships & Sex Education
For adults we have created a unique, comprehensive and widely acclaimed training package with accessible resources, workbooks and teaching materials for people who have Down’s syndrome.
The eight session training course can be facilitated by parents, carers, professionals and supported living organisations.
Find out more about the DSA Let’s Talk about Relationships and Sex Training Resource below.
Let’s Talk About Relationships & Sex: Trainer Package
This training package has been specifically designed for the learning strengths and challenges of people with Down’s syndrome.
The resource is suitable for adults aged 18 and over. The training resource is made up of 8 different sessions covering:
- Rights
- Consent
- Privacy and boundaries
- Sexual acts
- Sexuality, gender and safe sex
- Relationships
- Online safety and self esteem
- Recap session
The training package is designed to be facilitated by those who purchase the resource, such as a care provider, a local authority, support group or a parent or carer, who will use the resource to deliver eight sessions covering all aspects of Relationships and Sex.
What you will receive
Trainer’s guide – a comprehensive guide for facilitators, explaining how to run each session and outlining additional resources for you to use with participants.
Downloads for:
- Eight sets of accessible slides, one set for each topic and the revision session
- Accessible activity resources for participants
- Accessible easy read workbooks for each session
- Accessible easy read course evaluations to monitor understanding and progress
The pilot
The training resource has been piloted by New Key, a care provider in the South West of England. The participants said:
“I enjoyed the course and have found most of it easy to understand.”
“I have learnt that it is OK to say no.”
“I have learnt not to tell the bus driver about my sex life.”
To access the resources, please complete the registration form below.
After you’ve completed the form, you will be sent an email with the links to the resources.
Let’s Talk About Relationships & Sex: Teenage Resources
Each pack is visually based and tailored to the general learning needs of people who have Down’s syndrome. We have an extra, sixth pack which is a collection of accessible, clear and uncomplicated illustrations that can be used to increase understanding of private body parts and sexual acts.
Consent pack
Illustration pack
Privacy & boundaries pack
Relationships pack
Sexual acts pack
Sexuality, gender & safe sex pack
To access the resources, please complete the registration form below.
After you’ve completed the form, you will be sent an email with the links to the resources.
Register to download the resources
Other
GOV.UK PRIMARY EDUCATION
GOV.UK RSE SECONDARY EDUCATION
Further Info & Advice
If you need any further advice around Relationships and Sex Education for a family member or person you are supporting, you can contact the DSA Helpline 0333 1212300 or email using info@downs-syndrome.org.uk. To find out about DSA RSE training email training@downs-syndrome.org.uk.