Helping Young People with SEND Understand Healthy Relationships

Healthy relationships matter for everyone. But for children and young people with SEND, clear and simple information can make a real difference. This month, Health Services in Schools (HSIS) is launching the Is This Love? campaign in Wirral schools and colleges. It aims to help young people feel safe, respected, and confident in their relationships. Support that young people themselves asked for at the last Youth Parliament.

Why this campaign matters

Around Valentine’s Day, messages about “love” appear everywhere. For many young people, this can be fun. But HSIS youth workers say that for others it can be confusing or stressful.
Young people have shared that they sometimes:

• Feel unsure about what is “normal” in a relationship

• Experience pressure from friends or social media

• Hear harmful or disrespectful comments

• Struggle to spot early signs of controlling behaviour

• Feel unsure how to ask for help

The campaign gives young people a safe place to talk about worries and ask questions. It supports them to understand their rights, their boundaries, and what healthy behaviour looks like.

What the sessions will cover

HSIS youth workers will run workshops, activities, and drop‑ins in schools and colleges. These sessions will help young people:

• Learn what healthy relationships look and feel like

• Understand consent and respect

• Build confidence to say “no” when something feels wrong

• Spot early red flags

• Know where to go for help

The message is simple: everyone deserves to feel safe, valued and listened to.

Supporting independence

Understanding healthy relationships is part of learning how to make choices, set boundaries, and trust your own judgment. For many young people with SEND, building these skills supports their move into adulthood.

Independence also means knowing where to get support. This includes talking to a trusted adult, speaking to staff in school, or reaching out to services that can help.

What healthy relationships look like

HSIS and local services say healthy relationships include:

• Respect – valuing each other’s feelings and choices

• Consent and boundaries – everyone has the right to feel comfortable and safe

• Kindness – being caring, patient, and supportive

• Communication – being honest and listening to each other

• Safety – no one should feel scared, pressured, or controlled

Young people are encouraged to ask themselves the key question: “Is this love?”
If something doesn’t feel right, it’s important to seek support.

How parents and carers can help

Parents and carers play a vital role. You can help by:

• Talking openly about feelings and friendships

• Encouraging young people to trust their instincts

• Helping them understand boundaries

• Reassuring them that asking for help is a sign of strength

These conversations support independence and give young people confidence to make safe choices.

You can find more information online at Healthy Relationships and Sexual Health.