Each child is different and may become interested in relationships, sex and sexuality at slightly different ages. As children get older and develop, the way they express their sexual feelings changes. Many sexual behaviours children and young people show as they grow up are normal and healthy, as long as they're not causing harm to others or to themselves.
However, sometimes children and young people can develop sexual behaviour that's inappropriate for their age and / or harmful and settings must be alert to such behaviours and appropriately address any concerns in accordance with safeguarding procedures.
In this section
- Child on Child Abuse - Harmful Sexual Behaviour Guidance and Appendices
- Harmful Sexual Behaviour Training Resources
Child on Child Abuse - Harmful Sexual Behaviour Guidance and Appendices
To support settings in their response to Harmful Sexual Behaviour, the Education Safeguarding Team have produced a 'Child on Child Abuse – Harmful Sexual Behaviour' guidance document and appendices which can be found on the Guidance documents, Model Policies and Templates page.
The guidance includes four sections:
- A whole school/setting approach to preventing Harmful Sexual Behaviour
- Understanding Harmful Sexual Behaviour and Child on Child abuse
- Responding to incidents of Harmful Sexual Behaviour
- Ongoing considerations following an incident of Harmful Sexual Behaviour
The Appendices include:
- A HSB self-audit tool for education settings
- A Common Language Framework
- An individual Risk Assessment and Safety Plan template
- Guidance on when to contact other agencies, including statutory agencies, following an incident
- Model HSB policies for primary and secondary settings
- A document signposting to resources, training and agencies
Harmful Sexual Behaviour Training Resources
The presentations from the Harmful Sexual Behaviour training events run by the Education Safeguarding Team can be found below:
Harmful Sexual Behaviour – Primary settings – 16 May 2022
- The presentation can be accessed here. The agenda can be accessed here.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour – Secondary Settings – 12 May 2022
- The presentation can be accessed here. The agenda can be accessed here.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour – Online Briefing – All settings - 17 March 2022
- The presentation can be accessed here .
Harmful Sexual Behaviour – Online Briefing – Secondary Schools – 10 June 2021
