In July, the government released new guidance for Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE), which replaces the old version from 2019. We’re pleased to see this as a significant improvement over the draft guidance released in 2024, which raised serious concerns for us and others who work with young people.
The updated guidance adds in some important topics, like AI deepfakes, pornography, online harm, and financial abuse. These are issues we hear about regularly in our workshops, and are shaping how young people think about love, trust, respect, and what’s “normal” in relationships. And when these topics are not talked about properly, they can be extremely harmful.
Whilst schools are committed to delivering the curriculum, in practice most schools don’t have the time, training, or support to cover everything in a way that really works for young people. It’s a lot to expect teachers to do on their own, especially with so many demands already on their plates.
That’s where organisations like LMK come in. We know how to talk to young people about challenging topics in a way that feels relatable and safe. We’d love to see more support from the government so schools can work with specialists like us to deliver the kind of RSE that makes a difference.
We also hope there’s more clarity coming soon about how the guidance handles gender identity. That’s a topic where young people really need safe, honest conversations, and it’s crucial we get it right.
At LMK, we’re here to support schools and youth settings to deliver honest, practical, and meaningful relationship education. We want every young person to feel confident spotting red flags, building healthy relationships, and knowing what support is out there when things don’t feel right.
Ultimately, the updated RSHE guidance represents an important step forward in equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate today’s complex world. But to truly make an impact, this guidance must be matched with meaningful investment, ensuring schools have the time, resources and support required to bring it to life.
By prioritising proper funding and collaboration with organisations like LMK, we can create safe, inclusive spaces where young people learn about relationships as well as respect, resilience and self-worth. With this investment and collaboration we hope to build a future where every young person feels they are able to make informed, healthy choices and thrive in their relationships.
The new RSHE guidance will come into effect in schools on 1 September 2026.
Find out more about our workshops
Get in touch with us on info@justletmeknow.org to find out more about our workshops and how we can support your pupils to learn about healthy and unhealthy relationships.