Direct Work

Working with groups of children, young people and adults with disabilites

People with learning disabilities have a right to information about sexuality.
Children and young people have a right to effective, relevant and accessible sex and relationship education

Image in Action trainers lead weekly sessions with groups in schools, colleges, adult day services, in housing associations, and in partnership with voluntary sector organisations.
In some schools we run a two hour workshop every week for a year. In a college working with young people with moderate learning disabilities we may lead weekly workshops for a term.
Our trainers work closely with staff to plan and evaluate the work and often train staff to take on the programme at the end of the project.             

The Topics

These depend entirely on the needs and abilities of the group: from growing up, hygiene and puberty for younger children to sexual relationships, contraception and safer sex for young adults.

The Methods

These are group and circle based. Games and practical activities, visual resources and props make learning memorable and fun. So we use:

• Active learning methods

• Group work
• Innovative and creative drama techniques
• Story and character work

• Role play

• Props and visual resources

The Safeguards

• We work with the needs of the group
• We respect confidentiality
• We evaluate effectively
• We respect different cultural and religious beliefs
• We take care to work within establishment policies

Working with parents

Parents play an absolutely vital role in helping children and young people learn about themselves and others.
We believe that partnership with parents and carers is an essential part of our work with young people.
We encourage establishments to consult with parents and involve them in helping their son or daughter to understand about sex.

Image in Action has had experience of leading many projects with parents

• Consulting about how to involve them in supporting SRE in schools
• Leading support groups on specific issues
• Presenting methods that can be adapted at home

New areas of interest

• Working on sexuality issues with parents who have learning disabilities
• Working with parents who have adult sons or daughters with learning disabilities