Start Talking project aims to increase the knowledge, skills, and confidence of foster carers in supporting the children and young people they care for to have better sexual and reproductive health outcomes.
The Fostering Network have worked in partnership with The Sex Education Forum, funded by The Innovation Fund and informed by young people with care experience and foster carers. Together they have produced a downloadable guide and a series of podcasts to follow.
Foster carers, service providers, social workers and other professionals engaging with this free digital resource should gain a better understanding of the importance for children and young people in being supported with their Relationships and Sex Education. The guide provides practical tips from foster carers and young people with care experience. The podcasts will share conversations around a range of related topics.
The Start Talking Guide is available to our members here.
Disclaimer: due to the nature of the topic, the digital resource content contains details and examples of sexual behaviours that some might find uncomfortable.
We hope you find the digital guide and podcasts useful. We would really like to evaluate the impact of this resource and to identify areas of further development needed in Relationships and Sex Education. Please complete our short survey here.
Further information and references:
1The Fostering Network Fostering Statistics
2Department of Education statistics for Looked after Children
3Mezey, et al (2015), Developing and piloting a peer mentoring intervention to reduce teenage pregnancy in looked-after children and care leavers
4Ahrens, et al (2010), Laboratory-diagnosed sexually transmitted infections in former foster youth compared with peers. - Abstract - Europe PMC
Young People's RSE Poll 2021, Sex Education Forum
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