Workforce Development:
  Introduction to Contraception and Sexually Transmitted Infections

Research undertaken in the United Kingdom suggest there has been an increase in risk taking sexual behaviour amongst young people resulting in rising infection rates and unintended teenage pregnancy. In response this one day course has been devised aiming to equip participants with the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes for the effective provision of contraception and sexual health advice to young people. Risk assessment, consent and confidentiality will be covered within the programme . This will include providing participants with the knowledge and skills in order to confidently undertake a risk assessment when working with sexually active young people in accordance with Working Together to Safeguard Children Department Children, Schools and Families (2006). This component is designed to assist professionals working with sexually active young people to identify when relationships may be abusive and the children and young people may need the provision of protection or additional services. The session will therefore help to develop a greater awareness of situations that may require a referral and the procedure guidance to facilitate this process.

This training will also be ideal for professionals who have attended the Relationships and Sex Education training and wish to increase their sexual health knowledge and skills.

Programme Aims

• To equip participants with the basic knowledge of the different methods of contraception and prevalent sexually transmitted infections
• To provide participants with an understanding of the key sexual health issues for young people including: consent and confidentiality, Sexual Offences Act 2003 and Working Together to Safeguard Children and Young People (2006)

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the training participants will be able to:

1. Debate and challenge relevant political, legal and ethical issues pertinent to the sexual health of young people

2. Demonstrate basic understanding of the various methods of contraception including mode of action and efficacy

3. Be aware of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections, common signs and symptoms and treatment

4. Demonstrate the confidence to undertake a risk assessment and complete a risk assessment tool when working with sexually active young people

5. Examine own working practice in relation to young people’s sexual health, understand limitations and know where to refer/signpost locally

Specialist trainers will provide the theoretical construct to this training supported by case scenarios. Debate and guided discussion will allow for the realities of working with young people to be explored in a safe learning environment. All presentations and case scenarios will be included within the delegate packs.

The Training Programme Will Provide:

• Pre-course material for delegates to review as background reading prior to attending the session outlining relevant key documents (Learning Outcome 1)
• Pre-course quiz in order for delegates to assess their knowledge base (Learning Outcome 4)
• Power Point presentation to examine relevant political, legal and ethical issues pertinent to the sexual health of young people (Learning Outcome 1)
• A range of teaching resources in order to review the various methods of contraception including mode of action and efficacy, advantages and disadvantages (Learning Outcome 2)
• An overview of prevalent sexually transmitted infections including signs, symptoms, transmission and treatment (Learning Outcome 3)
• Case scenarios exercise undertaken as a small group activity in order for delegates to explore issues surrounding young people and contraception, sexually transmitted infections and access to contraception and sexual health services (Learning Outcome 2,3 , 4 and 5)