Relationship Education Is Vital For Kids

That was the clear message from a meeting of the Associate Parliamentary Group for Parents and Families which met last week to discuss how young people can learn about relationships.

Representatives of leading charities and organisations which deal with relationships and family life came together to debate the issue and, after hearing presentations from agony aunt, Deirdre Sanders, Trustee of the Family and Parenting Institute, and representatives of Relate, agreed that healthy and strong relationships lead to a happy family life, even post separation, and that children should have the opportunity to learn about the realities of relationships at school.

The delegates also agreed that the voluntary sector has an important role to play in helping schools and teachers help children learn about relationships. Teachers have worried that they are not properly equipped to deal with the questions children raise about their relationships and relationships in general and so they must have the tools and skills to answer these questions and help their pupils.

Anne Page of the Family and Parenting Institute and clerk of the Parliamentary Group said:

“It is vitally important that children get the opportunity to learn about the realities of relationships in a constructive environment. The Family and Parenting Institute's surveys showed that 7 in 10 children thought that parents getting on well together was one of the most important factors in raising happy children, while only 3 in 10 parents did. So clearly children understand the importance of good relationships and we know that children and young people both want and value the opportunity to learn about the relationships they have with their parents, siblings, teachers and friends. This, in turn, could help them better understand the relationships they will form as adults and the responsibilities they have to themselves and to others.”

Relate is one of the voluntary sector agencies delivering relationships education in schools. Angela Sibson, Relate Chief Executive said:

“Relate’s relationships education package offers clarity to young people about the issues that really matter to them. They often know about the mechanics of sex and contraception but comments from students underline the serious lack of good quality support and guidance for young people on healthy and unhealthy relationships. It’s unfair to expect teachers to add the role of relationship expert to their already huge task.”

The group heard from Suzanne Gibbon, a Relate centre manager working in primary and secondary schools in the Coventry region. Feedback from head teachers, learning mentors and classroom teachers highlighted the hugely positive impact that relationship support and relationship education had on their student’s behaviour and self-esteem. This programme is so successful that 1,100 children and young people each year are receiving support and the service is still growing with more schools buying in services direct.

The demand for Relate’s involvement in relationship education in schools is parent and teacher led, and it fits within the PHSE curriculum. Despite evidence of the efficacy of relationships there is no plan to make this compulsory. The Associate Parliamentary Group for Parents and Families will be delivering a full report of the meeting to the Department for Education and Skills.

About Relate:

- Relate is working to promote health, respect and justice in couple and family relationships
- 95 per cent of children that come to Relate for support tell us that they lack information and advice about relationships from the school curriculum.
- 65 per cent of Relate’s adult clients have children under the age of 16

For more information visit Relate.org.uk