Best practice principles

15 principles of best practice for school-based RSE

The following best practice principles were adapted with permission from SHineSA for RELATE which now forms part of the GDHR program.

School-based relationships and sexuality education should:

• be delivered in a safe, supportive environment
• be delivered before young people go through puberty and develop sexual relationships 
• include the acquisition of knowledge, clarification of attitudes and values, and development of lifelong skills to empower students to make informed, safe and healthy decisions 
• be strengths-based and focus on the positive attributes of the students
• offer a positive and inclusive view of relationships and sexuality in the context of respect, intimacy, readiness and love
• be respectful of diversity, including different cultures, religions, sexuality, gender and family values
• recognise and respect the importance of family as a primary source of sexual health information, education and values
• use an approach that is supportive, non-judgemental
• be trauma-informed - by being sensitive and responsive to young people who may have had unwanted and/or abusive relationships
• be delivered by a teacher that has training in delivering RSE
• be delivered by a teacher that has a well-established relationship with the class and has an understanding of their backgrounds and prior knowledge and experiences. 
• be of sufficient duration and intensity to produce change
• be age and stage appropriate relevant to the development and maturity of the young people
• encourage young people to delay sexual activity and recognise and respect the right of young people not to be sexually active
• work towards reducing potential risks when developing sexual relationships and offer harm minimisation strategies.

Underpinning policy

A number of formally endorsed state, national and international policies underpin the foundation of GDHR.

Australia is a signatory to international resolutions and targets produced by the World Health Organisation, United Nations and UNESCO on the quality of health for all. 

The Department of Health WA Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Strategy 2024-2030

Comprehensive school based RSE and teacher training is a key prevention and education strategy to:

• reduce the transmission of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs)
• reduce the incidence of unplanned, unwanted pregnancy
• minimise the personal and social impacts of STIs and BBVs
• minimise the public health burden associated with untreated STIs and BBVs.

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