Ask the Expert: Promoting sex health education

I work in a children's residential unit and recently accompanied a young person for a sexual health check. She was found to have an infection. Who needs to know this?

Most organisations that run units have policy and guidelines about sexual health, following guidance developed by the Teenage Pregnancy Unit for workers in social care settings. This includes information on all aspects of promoting positive sexual health, including sections on confidentiality and child protection.

The young woman will need support to clear her infection and stop a recurrence through using adequate protection. Discuss the situation with your manager to identify other sources of support. Is she under 16? Who is her sexual partner and are there any causes for concern? As she is looked-after, there is a corporate parental responsibility for her health, wellbeing and safeguarding.

Do some proactive work in the unit to promote positive attitudes to sexual health and relationships and be clear about boundaries. There are some excellent resources produced by fpa and your local authority looked-after children's nurse should also be able to support you and the young person.

Jeanie Lynch works for Barnardo's and has 25 years' experience of working with vulnerable children and families

Email questions, marked "Experts", to cypnow@markallengroup.com