24: Assessing sexualised behaviour

NSPCC Learning Podcast

It can be hard to determine what is healthy, problematic, inappropriate or serious sexual behaviour in schools, particularly where there are limited resources available.
This is where specialist provision and services can help. They can support you in assessing the young person who has displayed sexually harmful behaviour and help you to understand the nature and extent of this behaviour. However, not all behaviour concerns will require a referral to a specialist service.
In this episode, our guest speakers discuss:

• how assessments such as the AIM assessment are used to determine levels of risk and where they should be applied
• why it’s important to integrate responses to sexualised behaviour into your wider policies and overarching strategy
• how to address serious harmful behaviours and when a referral should be made to a service for an assessment
• what actions to take when lower level behaviour concerns are displayed and how to minimise risks going forward.
• why it’s vital to keep your professional knowledge and training up-to-date.

The NPSCC would like to thank Academy Transformation Trust and Ormiston Academies Trust for sharing their expertise and helping us develop our series on harmful sexual behaviour.
Read the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Sarah Bloomer is the Director of Safeguarding for Academy Transformation Trust. She has previously worked as a secondary school teacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead. Additionally, she has worked as part of a governance team for a large multi-agency academy where she developed a role as Head of Safeguarding.
Pat Branigan is a Development and Impact Manager for NSPCC’s Children’s Services. He leads the NSPCC’s response to child sexual abuse with a focus on preventing harmful sexual behaviour displayed by children and young people.
Nicole Rossage is an experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead working within the education sector, specifically secondary school, for over twenty years.
Katy Tomkinson is a qualified social worker who has worked at the NSPCC for over five years where she has undertaken assessments of therapeutic need and provided therapeutic interventions for young people who have been sexually harmed. She has two BA degrees in Sociology and in Social Work.
📚 Related resources

> Listen to our introductory episode on harmful sexual behaviour

> Read about protecting children from harmful sexual behaviour

> Manage sexualised behaviour in your school with our interactive elearning course
Intro/outro music is Lights by Sappheiros