The Debate: House of Lords: Short debate: Current level of sexual and reproductive healthcare provision in England and the case for a workforce plan – Tuesday 19 March 2024. Baroness Barker to ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current level of provision for sexual and reproductive healthcare in England and the case for a workforce plan in this sector. A Big Thank You FPA would like to say a big thank you to Lord Hunt for his important calls to save the Sexwise.org.uk website. We would also like to say thank you to Baroness Barker for bringing this critical d ..read more

In a world where online interactions can’t be avoided and children as young as primary age are navigating the internet, it is essential to educate children on the benefits and dangers associated with being online. What key stages? Lower Key Stage 2 (LKS2) and Upper Key Stage 2 (UKS2). They must be taught the importance of being respected, reporting any bullying, the rules to staying safe and interpreting online behaviour. Online Relationship lesson plans for Lower Key Stage 2 (LKS2) and Upper Key stage 2 (UKS2), those aged 5-11 are a crucial element of safeguarding young people. The abil ..read more

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has sent out the following to clinicians: “As you may be aware, Sexwise was launched by Public Health England (PHE)…and management of the website was inherited by DHSC in 2021.  “DHSC currently contracts a provider to deliver technical maintenance and support for the website, and this contract will end on 2 March 2024. Following the end of this contract Sexwise will close, and the site will no longer be available. “We understand that the website has been a valued sexual and reproductive health resource for professionals, and the general p ..read more

It’s Time to Be Proud of the Clitoris!   This is my little tribute to the wonderful clitoris! For too long the clitoris has been misunderstood, misrepresented, and neglected in medical literature and public knowledge, and also by individuals. By neglecting this organ, we neglect sexual pleasure for half of the population which is unfair when we know sexual pleasure is intrinsic to human existence and serves as an important factor for quality of life. In medicine the vulva (everything visible on the outside) is often treated as a porthole to the ‘important stuff’, the cervix and the ..read more

As many medical professionals will have seen – starting in December many women across England will be able to get the contraceptive pill at their local pharmacy. This is part of the “Pharmacy First plan” and a pilot has been running involving 4,500 women. Official NHS press release here. At the FPA, we see this as positive but… Pharmacies to offer the Pill: Family Planning Association response “We welcome this as an additional route for women to access the contraceptive pill. “It offers choice and convenient access at a time when it can be hard to get an appointment at a GP or a sexual health ..read more

Recently, there has been a debate surrounding the content of relationships education lessons in the UK, with some Members of Parliament urging Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to block what they deem as “inappropriate” aspects of these lessons. As an advocate for sexual and reproductive health rights, the Family Planning Association (FPA) believes that comprehensive and inclusive relationships education is crucial for the well-being and development of young people. In this short statement, we aim to shed light on the importance of comprehensive relationships education and address some of the concer ..read more

“Not feeling like sex during pregnancy, post partum, post-pregnancy loss or post-termination is TOTALLY OK – AND VERY NORMAL!” Naomi Sutton. Whether you are pregnant, recently had a baby or have suffered a pregnancy loss, sex can feel like it has ‘gone off the boil’ a bit. This is very normal but not talked about often, or explained. A lack of understanding can lead to feelings of upset, hurt, and confusion within a relationship. There has not been a vast amount of scientific research into this area but what we do know is that most women see a decline in sexual function during pregnancy whi ..read more

At the heart of the statutory guidance and teaching RSE is a focus on keeping children safe. The principle purpose in primary years education – is to help safeguard pupils from an early age through age appropriate education. What key stages? Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Lower/Upper Key Stage 2 (LKS2/UKS2). They must be taught the importance of being respected, reporting any bullying, the rules to staying safe and interpreting online behaviour. Teaching safety throughout primary years helps to safeguard from any type of risk or danger so that a pupil is less likely to be harmed. This must include ..read more

It is statutory for schools to teach children and young people about healthy and caring relationships. What key stages? Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Lower Key Stage 2 (LKS2) and Upper Key Stage 2 (UKS2) Relationships play a key part in every child or young person’s wellbeing, in younger years emphasis on teaching them how to be a good friend and how to play well with others, to understanding boundaries and appropriateness, as they mature and progress into adulthood. Caring relationship lesson plans for Key Stage 1 (KS1), those aged 5-7 should make clear the principles of a caring relationship. C ..read more

In a world where online interactions can’t be avoided and children as young as primary age are navigating the internet, it is essential to educate children on the benefits and dangers associated with being online. What key stages? Lower Key Stage 2 (LKS2) and Upper Key Stage 2 (UKS2). They must be taught the importance of being respected, reporting any bullying, the rules to staying safe and interpreting online behaviour. Online Relationship lesson plans for Lower Key Stage 2 (LKS2) and Upper Key stage 2 (UKS2), those aged 5-11 are a crucial element of safeguarding young people. The abili ..read more