Harmful Sexual Behaviour In Schools

Duration 2 hours

Last audited 3rd July 2024

CPD Approved
Harmful Sexual Behaviour in Schools
For me
For teams
  • 100% online training

  • Start when you like

  • Learn on any device (desktop, mobile or tablet)

  • Instant assessment and result

  • 1 learner per course

  • Train teams of all sizes

  • Bulk discounts starting at 10% off 10 courses

  • Pay by invoice with 30 day payment terms available (5+ courses)

£25 +VAT

include vat

Includes a 10% discount for 10+ courses

The issue of child on child harmful sexual behaviour - including sexual violence and sexual harassment - has become so widespread that the Ofsted report in 2021 found it to be considered 'commonplace'. The consequences of this behaviour can be severe and long-lasting and, as a result, it is crucial that schools and other educational settings acknowledge it is happening and take action against it, having a zero-tolerance approach.

This Harmful Sexual Behaviour in Schools course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to safeguard children and young people in this area. It defines harmful sexual behaviour and categorises different behaviours that fall under this term on a continuum, delineating the responses you should take at each stage. It explains the causes and consequences of the behaviour, and sets out how you can reduce the likelihood of it occurring, through measures such as positive education and a safe, healthy whole-school culture.


100% online training

Access anywhere

Same day digital certificate

Printed certificate posted next working day

Full audio voiceover

Assessment retakes at no extra cost

Updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) Statutory Guidance

Developed by education professionals and a qualified child protection professional

Accredited by CPD

Earn 2 CPD points on completion

Bulk discount for orders of 10+ courses

What you'll learn

By the end of this course, you will:

  • Understand what developmentally typical sexual behaviour is.
  • Understand what harmful sexual behaviour is.
  • Understand the importance of addressing harmful sexual behaviour in school, and your responsibilities in relation to safeguarding, the law, and Ofsted expectations.
  • Know who is most at risk from harmful sexual behaviour, and what the root causes can be.
  • Be able to recognise the warning signs that sexual harassment, abuse, or violence is occurring.
  • Understand the potential consequences of the behaviour.
  • Understand the issue of consent.
  • Know protective strategies that you can put in place to reduce the likelihood of harmful sexual behaviour occurring, including teaching children about healthy relationships.
  • Know reactive measures that you can take to respond to this type of behaviour in situations of differing levels of severity, including those where nudes or semi-nudes are shared.
  • Understand when to report allegations or concerns to other agencies, including the police.

Training you can trust

  • Course Content
  • Assessment
  • Suitable for

Module 1: Introduction to Harmful Sexual Behaviour

Why is this training important?, what is sexual violence and harassment?, what is typical sexual behaviour?, what is harmful sexual behaviour?, case study, who is affected?, the law in relation to HSB, and Ofsted expectations.

Module 2: Causes, Consequences, and Warning Signs

Causes of harmful sexual behaviour, risk factors, reasons why children don't report, case study, warning signs, and consequences of harmful sexual behaviour.

Module 3: Protective Strategies

A whole-school approach, staff training, curriculum content, case study, healthy relationships, consent, and online safety (including sending images).

Module 4: Reactive Measures

Immediate responses, disclosures from a child, choosing your response, developmentally typical behaviour, low-level behaviour, high-level (abusive/violent) behaviour, responding to children with additional needs, scenarios, sharing nudes and semi-nudes, scenarios, discussions with parents/carers, and record-keeping.

The online assessment is taken on completion of the training material. You will be asked 20 multiple choice questions with a pass mark of 80%. The answers are marked automatically so you will instantly know whether you have passed. If you don't pass, don't worry! You can take the test as many times as you need with no extra charge.

This course is suitable for anyone who works with children and young people in a school or other educational setting. Examples of people who may wish to take this course include:

  • Teachers.
  • Teaching assistants and support staff.
  • Headteachers and Executive Headteachers.
  • Members of the school Senior Leadership Team.
  • School governors and trustees.

Written by experts

Profile photo of Antonia Noble, Barrister and Safeguarding Specialist

In partnership with

Antonia Noble

Barrister and Safeguarding Specialist

Antonia Noble is a criminal barrister with over 29 years of experience. She is also a highly respected safeguarding specialist both in the UK and Internationally.

She has worked in the public sector at the Criminal Cases Review Commission and as a Cabinet Member at a large county council with responsibility for  services including safeguarding, and child protection including multi-agency working at the most senior level.

Antonia has a range of safeguarding and child protection experience including education at all levels. She is currently the Chair of SAND Multi Academies Trust.

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