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<p>Schools and colleges have a critical role to play in protecting children and keeping
them safe.</p><p>The subjects of relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) are
now a statutory part of the curriculum. They include teaching pupils what healthy
relationships look like, and the concepts of, and laws relating to, all forms of abuse.
The RSHE statutory guidance also advises schools to be alive to issues such as sexism,
misogyny, homophobia, and gender stereotypes, and to take positive action to tackle
these issues. The guidance is available to view here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education</a>.</p><p>As
with other aspects of the curriculum, schools have flexibility over how they deliver
these subjects, so they can develop an integrated approach that is sensitive to the
needs and backgrounds of their pupils. The department has provided advice on choosing
resources and working with external agencies in the non-statutory implementation guidance
here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-your-relationships-sex-and-health-curriculum"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-your-relationships-sex-and-health-curriculum</a>.</p><p>Following
the Ofsted review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges, the department is strengthening
support for designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) so they can confidently identify
and address sexual abuse and harassment. This includes funding What Works for Children’s
Social Care to trial supervision and training for DSLs in schools with a particular
focus on supporting them to respond to sexual abuse issues in schools, working with
the Centre for Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse. This also includes incorporating resources
on child sexual abuse into the online resource hub for DSLs, which will launch in
summer 2022.</p><p>Further education providers are expected to provide personal and
social development for their learners and will be judged by Ofsted on how they deliver
this. Key criteria for the assessment include developing confidence and resilience,
understanding how to keep mentally and physically healthy and developing an age-appropriate
understanding of healthy relationships through appropriate relationships and sex education.
The department does not specify how colleges should achieve this.</p><p>The statutory
safeguarding guidance 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' is very clear that all
staff in schools and colleges should be aware of indicators of any form of abuse and
or neglect, and what they should do if they have any concerns about a child being
abused.</p>
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