Harmful Sexual Behaviour

In June 2021 Ofsted released the Review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) . The review found that sexual harassment and online sexual abuse in schools ‘are so commonplace that [victims] see no point in reporting them’. 

In our roles working alongside children, young people, parents, and carers we often talk about behaviours, seeing them as a form of communication. Yet, when it comes to sexual behaviours this is not always spoken of quite so easily. We might find it difficult, embarrassing even, to talk about sex; concerned about what to say, how to say it and whether we are doing the right thing.  

This course is designed to help those who work alongside children and families to feel more knowledgeable and confident in having these discussions and to respond appropriately to concerns of harmful sexual behaviours.  

This course examines the real dilemmas in working with young people, how to begin to identify risk, and keeps a strong focus on the rights to a healthy childhood for all the young people involved.

Maxine Bryant

Maxine Bryant has a 30 year history of working within the social/health care field, she has been a Social Worker for 23 years and has extensive experience of multi-agency/disciplinary working, undertaking holistic assessments on adults (parents) and children; and delivering group work; one to one interventions and training. She has worked in a variety of fields including criminal justice, mental health, learning disability and child protection (specialising in sexual abuse and domestic abuse).

Maxine is trained in working with children who display sexually harmful behaviour, by undertaking Aim 3 assessments, Technology Assisted Harmful Sexual Behaviour assessments, and delivering treatment/intervention in the HSB field. Maxine also has extensive experience in undertaking Fostering and Parenting assessments. Maxine is currently an Associate Lecturer and a Practice Educator at Plymouth University on the Social Work programmes; she also works on the BMBS (Batchelor of Medicine Batchelor of Surgery) at the Peninsula Medical School as a small group facilitator and reflective practice assessor.