📚 RSHE Changes 2025: What It Means for Learners with SEND
The government has just released (15th July 2025) new guidance for teaching Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) in schools. These changes will come into effect in September 2026, and there are a few key updates that really matter for children and young people with learning difficulties or disabilities.
At Learn and Thrive, we’ve taken a look at what’s changed and how it could affect learners with SEND. Here's what you need to know:
🚫 No More Age Limits – A Win for Individual Needs
One of the biggest talking points has been around age restrictions. In earlier drafts of the guidance, there were plans to limit when certain topics could be taught (like puberty, sex, or contraception).
This raised real concerns for learners with SEND, who often need more time, repetition, and earlier preparation to fully understand important life skills.
The final version does not include age limits – and that’s good news!
It means schools can continue to teach based on individual needs and readiness, not just age. A young person with Down’s syndrome, for example, might need to start learning about body changes earlier or later than their peers – and now schools have the freedom to support that.
🧠 A Bigger Focus on Mental Health and Safety
The new guidance includes stronger sections on:
Building emotional resilience
Managing feelings and worries
Spotting signs of poor mental health
Talking about suicide and getting help
This is really important for learners with SEND, who may struggle to express how they feel or understand when something isn’t right.
It’s now clearer that RSHE should help young people name their feelings, talk about their mental health, and know where to go for support – all taught in a way they can access and understand. Don’t forget we have a whole series covering emotions alongside strategies for managing them. Simply head to Learning For Life for FREE access.
🌐 Teaching About Online Safety – Just in Time!
There’s more in the guidance now about online relationships – how to stay safe, respect others, and spot harmful behaviour.
For learners with SEND, who may be more vulnerable online, this is vital. But it also means that lessons need to be clear, practical, and supported with visuals.
That’s why we’re excited to be launching our brand new Online Safety series this autumn.
Filmed with and for young people with learning difficulties, the series covers real-life situations, shows what to do if something goes wrong, and helps learners feel more confident in the digital world.
It’s perfect timing – just as schools begin preparing for the new RSHE expectations.
🏫 What Does This Mean for Teachers and Families?
The guidance comes into force in September 2026, so schools have time to:
Review what they teach and how they teach it
Make sure lessons are accessible for all learners
Talk to families and carers about what’s being taught and why
For parents and carers, this is a great time to ask questions, share your child’s needs, and make sure their voice is heard.
❤️ Our View at Learn and Thrive
We’re pleased to see a move away from ‘one-size-fits-all’. Learners with SEND deserve flexible, early, and repeated teaching, especially when it comes to things like body changes, safety, relationships, and feelings.
We’ll be updating our own resources to reflect the new guidance – and we’re proud that our Online Safety series will give schools and families a ready-to-use tool that’s built with inclusion at its core.
Together, we can make sure every learner has the knowledge, confidence and tools to thrive – in school, online, and beyond.
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