Every school will encounter their own unique challenges to tackling relationships education, but for specialist settings, the challenges of finding resources that are accessible and relevant for their students can be difficult to overcome.

In 2018-19, we held consultations to improve our programmes’ inclusivity for young people with neurodivergence and/or special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This involved focus groups, workshops and 1-1 interviews with young people, staff and parents/carers from three specialist settings.

Throughout this process, St Philip’s played an irreplaceable role. Students, parents, carers and staff all generously gave their time to advise on project content, resources and student support: advice which has made a lasting difference to our work with specialist schools and youth settings.

In 2019, we presented St Philip’s with an award for their support with this work. We were thrilled when, at the awards ceremony, one of the students offered to do an impromptu acceptance speech on behalf of the school. Visibly nervous, he asked his teacher to stand with him for support, demonstrating a confidence to ask for help that is central to the aims of our work.

He proceeded to speak about how our Healthy Relationships workshops had grown his and his partner’s confidence in navigating their own relationship, as well as in speaking publicly. His speech was warmly (and emotionally!) received by the audience and was a landmark moment of seeing the impact of our work in practice.