Addressing Sexualised Behaviour in SEND Schools and Colleges: A Dignified Approach to Keep Learners Safe

by Rachael Baker

Overview

This book explores how teachers working with learners with SEND can deliver meaningful teaching around masturbation so that learners understand what it is and why people do it, the necessary rules and boundaries, and feel confident to safely explore their bodies if they want to.

Exploring both proactive discrete teaching, as well as interventions in response to problematic sexualised behaviour, this book is a valuable toolkit for teachers and educators. Chapters include:

• Guidance on how to educate about masturbation as part of relationships and sex education in a relevant, age-appropriate way
• Suggestions and real-life examples for addressing sexualised behaviour if it presents in the education setting or in public
• Ways to work collaboratively with families and carers to ensure a consistent and respectful approach to sexualised behaviour
• Advice for enabling learners with SEND to understand masturbation and be able to make informed choices relating to their sexuality.

Taking a positive, learner-centred approach to sexuality and learning disability, this book will equip teachers working in SEND schools and colleges with practical strategies and guidance to deliver a robust and meaningful education about intimate touch. It is also useful reading for families and allied professionals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040385616
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/30/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200

About the Author

Rachael Baker is a qualified teacher and SEND specialist Relationships and Sex Education Consultant. She works with special schools and colleges to develop all aspects of their RSE provision, including sexualised behaviour strategy development. Rachael considers relationships and sex education to be skills for life, preparing learners with SEND to navigate their adult relationships with confidence and autonomy.

Table of Contents

List of case studies

Acknowledgements

1. Introduction

2. Why this work is important

3. What is sexualised behaviour?

4. Understanding sexualised behaviour – when is sexualised behaviour concerning?

5. What does the law say?

6. Learning disabilities and the law

7. Addressing masturbation and sexualised behaviours in special settings

8. Values around educating about relationships and sex

9. Teaching relationships and sex education

10. What does the RSE guidance say about teaching about masturbation?

11. Teaching about masturbation in special schools

12. Using social stories alongside anatomically correct fabric model people

13. Practical issues in the classroom

14. Responding to Sexualised Behaviour in School or College

15. Targeted ongoing preventive interventions

16. Working with parents

17. Tricky questions and unusual practices

18. Where next

References

Index

Editorial Reviews

"Rachael writes in a frank and engaging way about a hugely important subject. Her starting point is that sexual expression is a human right for ALL whilst acknowledging the challenges that SEND school staff encounter. Her guidance and case studies will, I’m sure, prove invaluable in helping staff to deliver quality RSE confidently." - Helen Dunman, Author of ‘The Sex Factor’

"Sensitively approached, using well thought out strategies and packed full of useful information and ideas, Addressing Sexualised Behaviour in SEND Schools and Colleges is a fantastic resource. I would recommend this book to everyone working with, supporting or teaching people with learning disabilities and autistic people." - Claire Lightley, Bodysense Education

From the Publisher