National Youth Homelessness Scheme

Sex and relationships

All young people need access to sexual health services and good quality sex and relationships advice to help prevent STIs, regretted sex and unwanted pregnancies. Young people also want to talk about the wider aspects of sex such as recognising and managing emotions and building and maintaining positive relationships. The link between deprivation and low self esteem and teenage pregnancy indicates that young people in supported housing are more likely to have risky sexual behaviour and it is therefore particularly important that supported housing providers ensure that young people in their services can successfully access these services.

Research (Brook 1998) shows that young people want a contraceptive service that is, amongst other things, confidential, easily accessible with minimal fear and embarrassment; and prefer a walk in service as opposed to appointments.

Supported housing providers can provide support in a range of ways, the most appropriate way will vary from scheme to scheme depending on scheme size, location and the needs of the young person. Joint working with the local PCT provides opportunities for developing services in partnership with specialist agencies. Approaches include:

  • Including sexual health in the needs assessment and support planning process
  • Ensuring that information on local services is readily available and young people will be able use services without necessarily disclosing this to a member of staff  (or other residents) at the supported housing scheme
  • Supporting those who need it in attending clinics
  • Providing opportunities for advice/drop in sessions from specialist health professionals to be held at the project
  • Group work sessions at the project
  • One to one sessions with young people
  • Condom distribution schemes.

It is important that young people are equipped to access mainstream services in the long term and any in-house sessions should take account of this.

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