However, initiatives often miss young people outside mainstream FE, such as those in foundation learning. Currently, there are more than 1,000 private and voluntary sector learning providers nationwide offering courses to this age group, including foundation learning and apprenticeships programmes. There are opportunities in these programmes to build in sex and relationships education (SRE) and sexual health to meet the needs of young people.
For example, Premier League football apprentices take part in the Playing Safely programme, which tackles sexual health and relationships issues from the perspective of young men. It is important for foundation learning and apprenticeship providers to invest in the health and wellbeing of learners as it can improve both retention and attainment.
Recent data for 2009 shows that teen conception rates are at the lowest level in almost 30 years, demonstrating that efforts to reduce teenage conceptions are paying off. However, some young people are still missing out on vital information. The value of supporting young people attending foundation learning is clear as some face personal difficulties such as mental health and gaps in secondary school education. Building partnerships between health experts and foundation learning and apprenticeships will help close the gap.
The Sex Education Forum has just launched a free briefing that includes case studies and a practical checklist to support both health and learning providers meet the needs of young people.
Visit www.ncb.org.uk/sef/practice/foundation_learning.aspx.
Lucy Emmerson, principal officer, Sex Education Forum, NCB
