Delivering RSHE to Learners with SEND

The DfE issued statutory guidance on teaching relationships, sex and health education (RSE), this applies to all pupils and all schools including those with those who have protected characteristics e.g. disabilities.

Schools are required to produce a policy to define their approach to relationships education. The Mendip School and Fairmead School have kindly shared examples of their RSHE polices.

When complying with equality legislation schools are expected to make reasonable adjustments to ensure RSHE teaching is ‘high quality, differentiated and personalised’ including content that is accessible to prepare pupils for adulthood.

Schools should be aware that some pupils due to their SEND needs are more vulnerable in terms of their relationships, experiencing bullying, being open to risky behaviours and exploitation. RSHE is an opportunity to reduce the potential for these safeguarding concerns whether the learner is in a special or mainstream setting.

The PSHE Association is a subscription organisation that has an example SEND PSHE framework and resources to improve the quality of relationships and sex education for SEND pupils.

The Sex Education Forum has produced a short guide on teaching RSE to SEND pupils.

There are several other reputable organisations that provide materials for supporting RSE delivery to learners with SEND needs. These include, CHANGE(easy read guides), Mencap (rights and teaching guide), Family Planning Association (demonstrators), Learn Scotland (support for neuro-diverse learners), Downs Syndrome Association (support for learners with Downs Syndrome and other learning disabilities). 

The Somerset  Health & Wellbeing Framework is an evidenced based tool that can be used by all schools to create the conditions needed to foster positive health and wellbeing for ALL in their school community, it takes a whole school approach which includes hearing the learner voice and the curriculum. Its supported by a training offer.

The Public Health Team have worked with the SEN.se PSHE Curriculum Network to identify material members have found useful in developing and teaching a curriculum for SEND pupils. The Unstoppables a forum for young people who want to make their voices heard and help make change have also been approached. 

For Resources to support learners with SEND please links to pages on the left.

This list is constantly evolving, there is a cost attached to some of the resources, their inclusion should not be taken as an endorsement. 

If you would like to add a resource please contact us at