Relationship, friendship and sex resources for professionals, carers and families

People with a learning disability have the right to information about gender and sexuality and to get good support to express themselves.

The resources on this page are designed to support teachers, healthcare professionals, carers and parents.

Advice you can trust

In this video you'll meet Ismail who talks about relationships for people with a learning disability.

Teaching guide

We all need to learn about sex, relationships, consent  and our bodies, but it’s a lot harder for people with a learning disability to do this because accessible  information is hidden away.

That’s why we are proud to have worked with the Sex Education Forum and Image in Action to produce a comprehensive teaching guide.

The guide designed for teachers, helps make relationship and sex education accessible to everyone, by giving people more time, using images and avoiding jargon, to make sure pupils with a learning disability can better understand.

Download the guide

Our You Being You video

This video is to support your discussions around gender identity, gender expression, sexuality and celebrating being you.

  • Supporting resources for use alongside our You Being You video

The importance of storytelling

In this context, ‘storytelling' is about people being able to express their feelings and emotions and being given the time and space to tell their own story. 

We've conducted a deep dive into the importance of storytelling and have published a guide for health professionals and carers.

 

Betty and Barry are in a garden sitting in their wheelchairs next to each other. Barry is holding up a card which says To Barry I love you love Betty

Further information about relationships and sexuality

The Sex Education Forum is a charity that works to ensure that all young people can get high-quality Relationships and Sex Education (RSE).

Their website holds lots of resources and information to help you plan, teach and evaluate high quality, evidence-based RSE.

To help people with a learning disability discuss Pride, we've created an Easy Read guide which talks about the history behind Pride. 

Although some people with a learning disability may not be able to consent to having sex or a relationship, this is the minority.

Visit our Sexuality research and statistics page to find out more.

Where to get support

Phone or email our Learning Disability Helpline for more guidance and information.

Visit our online community where parents and family carers of people with a learning disability offer advice and support.