Government must commit to make PSHE mandatory

One of the watershed moments of 2017 for the children's sector was the government's decision in March to legislate for the introduction of age-appropriate relationships and sex education (RSE).

The clause inserted into the Children and Social Work Act will see statutory RSE lessons introduced from September 2019 in primary and secondary schools (see Special Report).

Despite opposition from some quarters of the Conservative Party, the move came down to MPs from all parties joining campaigners to make a strong case for the need to act.

At the heart of the issue is the recognition that forming relationships in a world where many young people interact as much online as they do in person is both complex and risky. Children will benefit from having the support of skilled educators to help them navigate the challenges this presents.

The amendment to the act also included a commitment from the government to consult over the introduction of statutory personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education at a point in the future.

Campaigners had hoped that the point in question would be sooner rather than later, but there has been no progress on this since the surprise outcome of June's snap general election wiped out the government's parliamentary majority.

At a recent education committee hearing, children's commissioner for England Anne Longfield told MPs that ensuring all pupils receive PSHE lessons "is a matter of urgency" and an issue on which she is "asking questions" of the government.

With no new money announced in the recent Budget to alleviate school funding pressures, ministers may be reluctant to place further duties on the education system. Meanwhile, with Brexit pressure continuing to ramp up, much of the government machine has its attentions turned elsewhere.

But the case must be made forcefully that this is an issue that is central to the future wellbeing of young people in a post-Brexit Britain. It is something the government simply cannot afford to ignore.

In accepting the inaugural PSHE Education Award at the 2017 CYP Now Awards ceremony, Alice Crutwell, public health curriculum adviser at Shropshire County Council, called passionately on the government to commit to introducing statutory PSHE education. In 2018, let's hope ministers heed her call.

Derren Hayes, editor, Children & Young People Now