We have issued a joint statement, alongside leading organisations, calling for the draft RSHE guidance to be discarded due to significant shortcomings when it comes to safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusion.
The statement is supported by over 100 organisations working across safeguarding, child sexual abuse, violence against women and girls, mental health, physical health, sexual and reproductive health, online safety, inclusion and teaching and leadership (including unions).
We and other signatories believe that the first, necessary step towards better RSHE for all is to discard this draft — as it removes preventative, protective education at a time when it has never been more important. Age restrictions and topic bans would pose a threat to the protective role of RSHE, limiting the prevention of harm in relation to issues including violence against women and girls (VAWG), mental health, safeguarding from sexual abuse, sexual health, LGBT+ inclusion and safeguarding, and tackling current and emerging threats like online misogyny.
“RSHE, and those of you who teach it, should be championed for improving safeguarding and wellbeing rather than demonised as a problem to be solved. Improvements in RSHE under the current guidance are the beginning of a success story with young people noting significant improvements since it became statutory. While we have all engaged in the consultation in good faith, and encouraged our members to do likewise, we share deep concerns about the development process and shortcomings of the draft guidance, particularly on critical aspects of children’s safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusion.”
Jonathan Baggaley, Chief Executive of the PSHE Association
Consultation on the new guidance closed on Thursday 11 July (2024). We submitted evidence and strongly encouraged our members to do likewise as it will help to inform the new government’s approach, even if this involves a fresh start and a new review in due course.
In the meantime, the current RSHE guidance remains in force. Though not perfect, this guidance is based on robust evidence, informed by a rigorous engagement process and a full-length consultation. It provides the foundation on which schools have improved teaching of high quality, age-appropriate RSHE since 2020, despite Covid disruption. Any review of RSHE must build on this progress and focus on responding to the needs and experiences of those the guidance will support: children and young people, teachers and schools.