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At the NSPCC we think all children and young people in Scotland have a right to receive consistent, relevant, inclusive and age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education.

Yet Scotland is the only part of the UK where this vital aspect of the curriculum has no statutory underpinning.

While RSHP education is part of the health and wellbeing area of Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, schools have discretion - as with the entire curriculum - about what is taught and when.

‘Patchy and inconsistent’ RSHP

Through our work with young people in Scotland, we know that the actual RSHP received is often patchy and inconsistent. It does not adequately cover the issues that are most important to young people, such as consent.

and show that consistent, relevant, inclusive and age-appropriate relationships and sex education helps children and young people to understand healthy and unhealthy relationships and encourages positive behaviour.

It helps them to develop empathy, respect and responsibility in relationships, to recognise inappropriate behaviour and abuse, and to navigate online risks and pressures. Children also become more likely to speak up and seek help when something is wrong.

Many young people we work with think it should be a mandatory part of the curriculum, with one telling us: “It should be the same as if you want your child not to take English. English is mandatory and maths is mandatory - you can’t take your child out of that. And that’s maybe not even as important as sex education.”

A recent of more than 1,000 adults across Scotland, commissioned by the NSPCC, found that over two-thirds believe this type of education should be compulsory.

And at least 90 per cent of adults think it is important that it should include lessons about: healthy and unhealthy friendships and relationships; types of abuse and how to seek help; and online harm, including the risk associated with sending and sharing nude images of someone under the age of 18.

‘Core entitlement’ like reading and writing

The NSPCC believes RSHP education should be as much a core entitlement for all children as learning to read and write - and that is why the charity is calling for a statutory requirement for all schools in Scotland to provide age-appropriate, consistent and relevant RSHP to children and young people.

Refreshed was published in February following a Scottish government consultation in 2023. While this update from the 2014 guidance is welcome, it still falls short of providing a guarantee for children and young people that they will receive consistent RSHP, or the necessary support to educators to deliver it effectively.

Our campaign wants to see a stronger recognition of children’s and young people’s right to this education in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We also want to see the Scottish government provide better support for this fundamental part of the curriculum. This should include clear and practice-based guidance for schools, adequate funding, professional training, time and resources for teachers, and regular monitoring and review by Education Scotland.

RSHP is an opportunity to make sure that all children and young people know they have a right to be treated, and a responsibility to treat others, with dignity and respect. It is a key component in protecting children and young people from abuse.

The evidence shows that this education can help to break down barriers and taboos, as well as giving young people the language to express their experiences. It can also tackle poor behaviour and it fosters a positive school culture.

All other countries in the UK have recognised the importance of this education and have placed it on a statutory footing. It is critical that the Scottish government shows it truly values RSHP education by upholding the rights of every child to receive it - and ensuring that teachers and schools are adequately resourced to deliver it.

Joanne Smith is Scotland policy and public affairs manager for the NSPCC charity