Leeds Children and Young People’s Social Care have recently published a revised version of the Relationships Policy for Looked After Children and Young People.
It will be officially launched early in the new year.
The policy is called ‘Enabling Sexual Wellbeing’ and describes the approach that will be taken in terms of supporting children and young people to be healthy with regard to personal relationships.
The policy provides a framework for staff to advise and encourage children and young people to take responsibility for their own sexual health and wellbeing.
All Social Care staff and carers are expected to work pro-actively to enable children and young people to build appropriate and supportive relationships and to safeguard them from Sexually Transmitted Infections and unwanted pregnancy/parenthood.
This policy reflects national good practice in terms of supporting the rights of children and young people to access confidential information, advice and services on relationships, contraception and sexual health.
We are making this document accessible to the wider public in order that parents and families of children who are looked after or who may receive a service from Leeds Children’s Social Care are aware of the information and advice that may be provided.
The policy is a working document and we welcome comments and suggestions in order to make continual improvements to it.
For further information please contact Lisa Banton, Sexual Health Development Officer for Looked After Children, Tel: 0113 247 8615 or on e-mail at lisa.banton@leeds.gov.uk