Workforce Development:
  Right Time, Right Place, Right Person – Relationships and Sex Education
  for Young People and Adults with a Learning Disability

Programme Aims

Research has identified that young people and adults with a learning disability and/or sensory impairment are less likely to receive sex and relationships education in school, college or at home.

The Department of Health Valuing People White Paper (2001) and Valuing People Now (2007) states that young people and adults with a learning disability often have limited knowledge about their health needs which compromise their decision making. For example many live without crucial information about keeping safe in relationships.

Helping young people and adults with a learning disability develop and sustain friendships and relationships is consistently identified as a major challenge. In addition it is well documented that parents, carers and professionals do not always encourage close personal relationships due to concerns surrounding consent.

‘The right time, the right place, the right person’ relationships and sex education DVD resource and training programme have been developed with the aim of maximising the ability of young people with a learning disability and/or sensory impairment to understand relationships including sexual relationships, develop their knowledge and skills in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and increase their confidence in accessing primary health care and sexual health services.