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Contents

1. Provision of Information and Advice
2. Puberty and Sexual Identity
3. Pornography
4. Under age Sexual Relationships
5. Contraception
6. Pregnancy and Termination
7. Working with Young Fathers
8. Child Sexual Exploitation
9. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
10. Masturbation

1. Provision of Information and Advice

Those responsible for the care of looked after children must make sure that they are provided with appropriate, accurate and up to date information and advice on matters relating to sexual health and relationships. Training on sexual health and relationships is available and it is the responsibility of Social Care staff to ensure that their skills meet the needs of the young people they are supporting.

The relationships policy for looked after children and young people 'Enabling Sexual Wellbeing' should be referred to before providing such information and advice. 

The parents of Looked After Children should be made aware that on placement in care the child or young person will receive information and advice according to his/her needs. The child/young person has a right to this information.

Children and young people will be able to access confidential support around contraception and sexual health without the consent/notification of their parents.

Parents should be given the opportunity to discuss any concerns or specific needs of the child/young person so that support can give due consideration to the child's cultural and religious background. Any specific arrangements must be incorporated into the child's Placement Information Record. The recording of information relating to sexual health issues is subject to the informed consent of the child or young person including details of what information will be shared with whom. Refer to the Relationships Policy for Looked After Children for further information.

2. Puberty and Sexual Identity

All staff and carers must adopt a non-judgemental attitude toward children, particularly as they mature and develop an awareness of their bodies and sexuality.

The same approach must be adopted towards children who explore or are confused about their sexual identity or who have decided to embrace a particular lifestyle so long as it is not abusive or illegal.

Children who are confused about their sexual identity or indicate they have a preference must be afforded equal access to accurate information, education and support to enable them to move forward positively. Further information is available in the Relationships Policy for Looked After Children.

As necessary this must be addressed in Placement Information Record, again subject to the informed consent of the young person.

3. Pornography

All materials published, circulated or available to children must promote and encourage healthy lifestyles and images of men and women that are positive and encouraging.

Children must be positively discouraged from obtaining material that is potentially offensive or pornographic.

If they obtain such material that is suspected to be illegal it must be confiscated and in extreme circumstances consideration must be given to reporting the matter to the Police.

Such an incident is an ideal opportunity to provide sex and relationships education.

Please refer to the Relationships Policy for Looked After Children.

4. Under age Sexual Relationships

The legal age of consent to sex is 16 for all young people irrespective of their sexual orientation.

Staff/carers should be mindful of their duty to consider the overall welfare of children and this may mean recognising that illegal activity is taking place and working to minimise risks and consequences.  Staff/carers may not condone or permit exploitative or abusive behaviour and must take all reasonable steps to reduce or prevent it.

Staff/carers should endeavour to establish whether any relationship is mutually consensual and between two young people of a similar age/maturity, and if so provide appropriate support around contraception and sexual health.

It is important that staff/carers recognise that under age sexual activity should not automatically trigger  child protection procedures.

Please refer to the Relationships Policy for Looked After Children.

5. Contraception

Staff/carers should identify local sources of professional help and information for children/young people and can accompany them to clinics if requested to do so.

Condoms are the most easily available, non-prescribed form of contraception.  They also protect against many sexually transmitted infections.  Young men and women should learn how to use them correctly - this will require practice!  It is important that girls are equally confident in using them.  Condoms and condom demonstrations are available for this purpose.

Training is available for staff and carers regarding the distribution of condoms.

• Forms part of a broader sex and relationship education programme which includes helping children resist any pressure to have early sex
• Complements local service arrangements for the distribution of free condoms e.g. C-card scheme
• Is always accompanied by verbal and written advice about using condoms correctly, information about sexually transmitted infections and services and where to access emergency contraception if the condom breaks or is not used
• Please refer to the Relationships Policy for Looked After Children

6. Pregnancy and Termination

If a young woman is suspected or known to be pregnant the social worker, staff and carers should talk openly to the young woman about who should be informed and what support the young woman may require to promote her own and the unborn baby's welfare.

If the young person consents then it is good practice for their parent(s) to be informed and be part of drawing up a suitable plan for the promotion of the welfare of the pregnant young woman and the unborn child.

It is important to note that a young woman may be pregnant and not disclose this information to her Social Worker.

Please refer to the Relationships Policy for further information. 

In all cases, should there be suspicions that the pregnant young woman and/or the unborn child are at risk of Significant Harm, the child's social worker must take action under the Local Safeguarding Children Board Inter Agency Procedures (pre-birth assessment).

Any decision to terminate a pregnancy should be reached by the young woman. If she has a partner and wants him to be involved this should be supported.

Advice, counselling and support in making the decision must only be given by suitably qualified independent counsellors.

If the young woman decides to terminate the pregnancy, her social worker and staff/carers must ensure that adequate support is given throughout and afterwards to ensure the young woman's privacy is protected and any physical or emotional needs are addressed sensitively.

Please refer to the Relationships Policy for Looked After Children.

Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood Integrated Care Pathway this is a referral checklist for professionals working with young people in Leeds who may be pregnant, or are parents.

7. Working with Young Fathers

This can be a difficult area of work because the choice and responsibility in decisions relating to the baby lies with the mother. Regardless of how the mother views the situation, young fathers still need to be supported. The following points should be addressed:

• What does the young man want his role to be?
• Does this conflict with what the young woman wants? If so, how will this be managed?
• How will you support him to deal with his thoughts, feelings, hopes and fears?
• How can he play an active role in the child's life?
• Is the young man clear about his legal rights, choices and responsibilities in relation to his child?

Please refer to the Relationships Policy for Looked After Children.

8. Child Sexual Exploitation

Children of any sexual orientation and ability may be abused through sexual exploitation.  This can involve more than payment of money in exchange for sexual services; it includes remuneration of any kind, given to the child, for example mobile phones, alcohol, new clothes and other 'treats'.

Children who are abused/exploited should benefit from multi-agency planning and services that ensure the child's immediate protection, and through a longer term strategy, that encourage and support his/her exit from exploitation.

Staff/carers need to be alert to any behaviour that might indicate that the child is involved in Child Sexual Exploitation or at risk of becoming involved.  This should be discussed in supervision and a response strategy agreed.  Concerns should be shared with the child.

• Look out for warning signs - changes in appearance, getting lifts home from strangers, coming home having eaten yet not having had to pay for food, having credit on mobile phones that can't be accounted for or updated mobile phones, mood changes, different language, new style of dress, new possessions, truanting from school, losing touch with old friends, telling lies, using drugs, a new name, staying out at night.
• Go slowly - don't rush in. Befriend and form the beginnings of a trusting relationship before mentioning your concerns (unless you think the child is at immediate risk).
• Remember that some children/young people are controlled by pimps and involvement of professionals needs to be handled sensitively in order that the child/young person's safety is not put at further risk.
• Children/young people may need you to act as their advocate regarding liaison with other agencies.
• Children/young people often have immediate practical support needs upon which you can build a relationship.
• Be supportive and non-judgmental.

Where there is any suspicion that a child/young person is engaged in such behaviour it should be addressed in their Placement Information Record through strategies to help the child/young person find alternative lifestyles.  If a child/young person is engaged or suspected to be engaged in Child Sexual Exploitation, the Safeguarding and Reviews Team, Regulatory Authority, local authority and Police for the area where the child is placed, must be informed.

Please see the Relationships Policy/West Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Boards' Protocol and Practitioner Guidance Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation.

9. Sexually Transmitted Diseases

It is the absolute right of children and young people to have information and advice on safer sex, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections. In providing such advice and guidance to children, it is important that they are made aware that there are many safer and pleasurable alternatives to penetrative sex, for example, stroking, exploration of erogenous zones, sucking, kissing, licking, or mutual masturbation.

Children/young people should be encouraged and supported to take responsibility for their own sexual well being, acknowledging cultural diversity.  The opportunity to discuss this with staff/carers and a variety of health professionals should be available.

With regard to sexually transmitted infections including HIV, children should be advised of clinics where anonymity and appropriate pre and post testing counselling are available.  They should be made aware that, if they are tested by their G.P. then the results of this will be recorded in their medical notes and these may be available to prospective employers etc. in the future.  There is, however, complete confidentiality at Genito-urinary Medicine (G.U.M.) clinics.

Only those immediate carers of the child/young person who need to know will be informed of any suspicion or the outcome of any tests and strategies or measures to be adopted.

Please see the Relationships Policy for further information.

Consent to testing

The permission of the child aged 16 or over must be given before testing.

If a child under 16 has sufficient age and understanding, his or her permission must be given before testing.

10. Masturbation

It is accepted that masturbation is part of normal sexual behaviour but children must be positively encouraged to undertake such activities in private and in a manner that is not harmful to themselves or other people.

Please refer to the Relationships Policy for Looked After Children.

End