YOU might know that NSPCC volunteers visit primary schools to teach children how to identify and speak out about all types of abuse.

But did you know we also work to support secondary schoolteachers with their responsibility to teach young people about sex and relationships education?

In 2021, sex and relationships education became compulsory in all secondary schools in England. The classes help young people learn more about these topics in a safe, appropriate way, rather than through playground rumours or unrealistic representations in film, television or online pornography.

But research we carried out with teachers’ union NASUWT found that of the 86 teachers surveyed in Yorkshire, 43per cent didn’t feel confident teaching this topic.The survey also found 16per cent didn’t feel confident answering difficult or sensitive questions in lessons, 86per cent felt they needed more resources, 90per cent felt they needed more training, and 65per cent felt support from the government had been poor.

As a result of these findings, and with the support of the union, last week we launched our Talk Relationships helpline and online resources for secondary school teachers. Talk Relationships is a series of e-learning resources for secondary school teachers to use, free to all schools until at least the start of 2023.The aim is to increase teacher confidence in areas including how to respond to safeguarding concerns in a classroom setting, managing challenging questions from young people, and how to lead inclusive discussions. The resources were piloted in more than 100 schools nationwide and 82per cent of teachers said they found it had a positive impact on their teaching.

We felt it was important to act now to assist our teachers in providing the right education for young people about sex and relationships, and to give them as much help as possible, so alongside the e-learning programme, the NSPCC has also launched a dedicated helpline for teachers who have any questions about delivering the new syllabus or who want to report a safeguarding concern. They can call 0800 389 5347 or email help@nspcc.org.uk and put ‘Talk Relationships’ in the subject line for further support.

Talk Relationships is about providing the right education in the most appropriate way. These lessons are crucial in safeguarding children and we have been campaigning for years for all children to have access to high quality education of this nature. Visit learning.nspcc.org.uk/talk-relationships