Harmful Sexual Behaviour In Schools Course

• Refresher training
• Inductions
• Awareness
• Knowledge enhancement

Harmful Sexual Behaviour in Schools Online Training: Who is this for?

The Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) in Schools online training is a vital programme designed to equip school staff and related professionals in the UK with the knowledge and skills to identify, prevent, and respond appropriately to incidents of harmful sexual behaviour among children and young people. This training is essential to ensure a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment, in line with UK safeguarding legislation and guidelines.

1. School Teachers and Teaching Assistants
   Teachers and teaching assistants across primary, secondary, and further education settings are at the frontline of observing and responding to pupils’ behaviours. This training supports them to recognise signs of harmful sexual behaviour, understand its impact, and implement effective strategies to manage and prevent such behaviours within the classroom.

2. Senior Leadership Teams and Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)
   Senior leaders and DSLs in schools have a statutory responsibility to safeguard children and ensure the wellbeing of all pupils. This course enables them to develop robust policies and procedures, lead staff training, and coordinate multi-agency responses effectively to HSB incidents.

3. School Pastoral and Support Staff
   Pastoral care teams, counsellors, and support workers interact frequently with pupils and are crucial in identifying behavioural changes and providing emotional support. The training offers them guidance on handling disclosures sensitively, providing appropriate support, and making timely referrals.

4. Governing Bodies and School Governors
   School governors have a strategic role in safeguarding and promoting pupil welfare. Attending this course helps governors understand the complexities of HSB, enabling them to challenge, support, and ensure that schools have appropriate safeguarding frameworks in place.

5. Youth Workers and External Educational Professionals
   Professionals who regularly engage with children and young people outside formal classroom settings—such as youth workers and educational psychologists—can benefit by gaining awareness of HSB, improving multi-agency collaboration, and contributing to prevention and intervention strategies.

6. Parents and Carers (Optional but Recommended)
   While primarily targeted at professionals, some versions of the course may be suitable for parents and carers to help them recognise harmful sexual behaviour at home or in social environments and know how to seek support and engage with the school safeguarding systems.

Training Objectives

• Understanding Harmful Sexual Behaviour
  Gain a clear definition of HSB, differentiating between normal sexual exploration and behaviours that are harmful, abusive, or inappropriate. Understand the underlying causes, risk factors, and contributing environmental or social issues.

• Legal and Safeguarding Frameworks
  Explore applicable UK legislation, statutory guidance (e.g., Keeping Children Safe in Education), and safeguarding frameworks that mandate schools’ responsibilities around HSB.

• Identification and Assessment
  Learn to identify warning signs and indicators of HSB and how to conduct risk assessments effectively to safeguard all pupils involved.

• Prevention Strategies
  Gain insight into delivering age-appropriate relationships and sex education (RSE) and creating school cultures that challenge harmful attitudes and promote respectful behaviours.

• Responding to Incidents
  Develop skills for managing disclosures, reporting concerns, multi-agency referral processes, and supporting victims and perpetrators sensitively while ensuring legal compliance and safeguarding best practices.

• Promoting a Safe School Environment
  Understand how to embed policies, educate staff and pupils, and create inclusive environments where harmful behaviour is minimised and addressed proactively.

Conclusion

The Harmful Sexual Behaviour in Schools online training is essential for all professionals involved in education settings throughout the UK. By undertaking this course, staff from teachers to safeguarding leads and governors will be better prepared to recognise, respond to, and prevent harmful sexual behaviour, ensuring that schools provide safe, respectful, and nurturing environments for all children and young people. This training strengthens schools’ safeguarding capacity and supports compliance with UK statutory safeguarding requirements.