Special Needs teachers are special. We try to step into the inner world of others and create ways to better understand what is being communicated to us. Ultimately, all we do is relational.
Relationships are key to our success. We are establishing relationships to enable our special learners to become as independent as possible as they journey through life. Through these relationships, we find ways to encourage self-esteem, independence, self-advocacy, and social inclusion for our fellow human beings.
We understand that for our special learners to truly develop and grow, they must be prepared and guided in their development and growth and supported emotionally and physically as well.
The importance of Relationships & Sex Education
Relationships & Sex Education is a vital element in that process. It is also an essential arm of safeguarding; both for our deeper understanding of the vulnerability of our learners and for their ability to safeguard themselves and their peers.
We want to give our learners the opportunity to learn about themselves, their changing bodies through puberty, how to keep themselves safe, about different relationships we develop as we grow older, understanding public and private or good, bad and necessary touch, healthy and unhealthy relationships, and consent. We are constantly finding that balance between safeguarding vulnerable individuals and advocating for them. But many individuals with additional needs still receive no RSE guidance at all.
Building confidence in teaching RSE to SEND learners
Relationships & Sex Education is perceived as a difficult area to teach. We know there is limited specific guidance for SEND and a lack of appropriate resources. Teacher confidence in delivering Relationships and Sex Education remains very low.
At Team Teach, we want to change that. We want to offer relevant RSE training for our special colleagues, to develop a support hub to help us all provide outstanding Relationships and Sex Education for our special learners, because that is what they need – and deserve.
How can we get RSE support to as many schools, individuals, and families as possible?
We know that RSE support for our special learners is difficult to find. Since RSE was awarded statutory status[i], there are many organisations offering support and resources, but with limited or no real differentiation for SEND.
We can look at RSE in the same way we do safeguarding. Staff need to be trained and supported to create safe and healthy environments, not have it delivered on their behalf. Safeguarding is about building a positive culture in our workplaces. Why should Relationships & Sex Education be treated differently?
At Team Teach, we passionately believe that you are the experts when it comes to the needs of your learners. We can offer you the support and guidance you need.
If you are looking to get support and training to improve, or introduce, RSE in your school, then we are here to help. We believe by offering this training and supporting your implementation of RSE within your school, we will all be making a huge difference to the lives of those individuals we support and care for.
More information
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Paul Bray is a Principal Team Teach trainer, experienced educator and RSE specialist.
In his role as Headteacher of a Post-16 SEND provision in 2010, Paul quickly learned there was no RSE guidance relevant to his learners.
Paul has become renowned for his work in supporting Relationships and Sex Education, particularly for disabled young people and those with special educational needs.
He’s taught on the Special Educational Needs & Disability Studies degree course, and been a speaker at the National Association of Colleges’ annual conference, the World Education Summit, the Sex Education Forum & the National Children’s Bureau conference.
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[i] Department for Education (2019) Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education. (accessed 15.9.22). Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education