SWGfL and The Marie Collins Foundation Launch Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service

13 Jan 2022 UK SIC

Our partners at SWGfL and The Marie Collins Foundation were pleased to announce this week the launch of a brand new support service available to professionals Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm. It is there to support those professionals who work with children and young people around tackling harmful sexual behaviour incidents on and offline. The service is funded by the Home Office as well as in collaboration with the Department for Education.

The Harmful Sexual Behaviour support service has been provided to support professionals working with children and young people with advice and guidance around handling these types of incidents.

Ofsted Report

In June last year, Ofsted published a highly publicised report around sexual abuse and safeguarding concerns in schools. From this review, it was seen that ‘Nearly 90% of girls, and nearly 50% of boys, said being sent explicit pictures or videos of things they did not want to see happens a lot or sometimes to them or their peers.’ The problem was seen to be ‘commonplace’ and resulted in many students not seeing the point to report incidents within school.

Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service  

The Harmful Sexual Behaviour support service can support anyone in England who works with children and young people. It is highlighted that the service can provide particular support to those professionals in a designated safeguarding position. The service can be used by those professionals in a primary or secondary schools, colleges, early year settings or those who may work within a wider safeguarding area (police, social carers, health care professionals). 

If you are concerned that children within your support have been displaying or are affected by incidents of Harmful Sexual Behaviour, the service is available to provide initial support, signpost to further resources and give you the advice you need.

The service is available from 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Friday. Those who need support can either email  hsbsupport@swgfl.org.uk or call 0344 2250623.