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Key findings
EMPOWER provides schools and educators with a useful framework for incorporating youth voice in sex and relationships education
Young people and facilitators told us that using EMPOWER to quality assess sex and relationships lessons and resources improved their experience of it. Making lessons more relevant and engaging for young people improved teacher confidence in the content.
Facilitators of the EMPOWER groups also successfully adapted the toolkit to their personal style, the young people they were working with and their school setting.
Schools should dedicate time and tailored support to create the conditions that enable meaningful youth voice
It took time for young people in the EMPOWER groups to build trust and feel psychologically safe. It is important that everyone involved, especially young people, are given the skills and resources to properly contribute.
Young people value being listened to and recognise the personal and wider benefits of having their voices acted upon
EMPOWER enabled young people to develop their confidence and skills in critical dialogue as well as improving their sex and relationships education and understanding of the topics discussed.
Young person
Facilitator
Access the EMPOWER toolkit
EMPOWER is available as part of Talk Relationships – our service supporting all UK secondary education settings to confidently deliver inclusive sex and relationships education.
Source: NSPCC
