NSPCC praises ‘turning point’ in provision of healthy relationships education

NSPCC Cymru / Wales has described the Welsh Government’s decision to overhaul sex education in schools as a ‘turning point’ for the national curriculum which will benefit children and young people across the country.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education has today announced that this area of study will become Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE); a statutory part of Wales’ new curriculum for children aged five to 16 from 2022.

At present, schools across Wales make their own decisions on how the subject is taught. A change to RSE will broaden that approach and place a statutory emphasis on healthy relationships.

The change has long been advocated by NSPCC Cymru / Wales and the charity was a member of the SRE Expert Panel, which recently published a series of recommendations, including the need to make expertly-taught age appropriate healthy relationships education statutory.

Head of NSPCC Cymru / Wales, Des Mannion, said:

“This is a turning point for our children and young people, our schools and the national curriculum. It is a hugely positive step which will benefit children, help them better understand healthy behaviour and relationships and how to keep themselves safe.

“Age-appropriate sexuality and relationships education is key to ensuring children have the right information about sexuality, consent and risks.

“It is a crucial tool in the prevention of both sexual abuse and domestic abuse and will help children and young people realise when something is not right and to know where to go for support.”

The NSPCC already delivers its innovative Speak Out Stay Safe service to primary schools across Wales which helps young children recognise the signs of abuse.

The charity aims to reach every single primary school with its special assemblies, speaking to nearly 70,000 pupils and visiting 520 schools in Wales in the 2016/17 school year alone.

Any child in need of advice and support can call ChildLine for free at any time of day or night on 0800 1111. Adults with concerns over a youngster’s welfare can call our helpline on 0808 800 5000.