Addressing Sexualised Behaviour in SEND Schools and Colleges: A Dignified Approach to Keep Learners Safe

This book explores how teachers working with learners with SEND can deliver meaningful teaching around masturbation so that learners understand what it is and why people do it, the necessary rules and boundaries, and feel confident to safely explore their bodies if they want to. Exploring both proactive discrete teaching, as well as interventions in response to problematic sexualised behaviour, this book is a valuable toolkit for teachers and educators. Chapters include:

• Guidance on how to educate about masturbation as part of relationships and sex education in a relevant, age‑appropriate way
• Suggestions and real‑life examples for addressing sexualised behaviour if it presents in the education setting or in public
• Ways to work collaboratively with families and carers to ensure a consistent and respectful approach to sexualised behaviour
• Advice for enabling learners with SEND to understand masturbation and be able to make informed choices relating to their sexuality

Taking a positive, learner‑centred approach to sexuality and learning disability, this book will equip teachers working in SEND schools and colleges with practical strategies and guidance to deliver a robust and meaningful education about intimate touch. It is also useful reading for families and allied professionals.

Rachael Baker is a qualified teacher and SEND specialist Relationships and Sex Education Consultant. She works with special schools and colleges to develop all aspects of their RSE provision, including sexualised behaviour strategy development. Rachael considers relationships and sex education to be skills for life, preparing learners with SEND to navigate their adult relationships with confidence and autonomy.