latest health care news

21.09.16

Keep an eye out for harmful sexual behaviour in children

Children who display inappropriate sexual behaviour for their age should receive help from healthcare workers and other professional groups, according to new guidance from NICE.

The guidance, the first of its kind, says that in a small number of cases, children and young people who engage in harmful sexual discussion and acts subsequently commit sexual offences.

It recommends a multi-agency approach involving child health services, social services and education to intervene in such behaviour at an early stage.

Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive of NICE, said: “Inquisitive behaviour is a normal part of growing up and it is natural for children to ask about different body parts or be curious about the differences between girls and boys.

“However there is also a minority of children and young people who engage in sexual behaviour that is not appropriate for their age or development.

“This guidance is about preparing teachers, nurses, social workers and others to recognise harmful sexual behaviour when it occurs and ensure they can work across team boundaries so that problem behaviour is not ignored or missed and children and young people receive the help they need.”

The guidance said local areas should agree how to identify where behaviour is a cause for concern. It recommends using the Brook Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool to classify different behaviours.

It also follows a series of calls for medical staff to do more to identify vulnerable children in their care.

A recent report from the CQC, for example, said that health staff should do more to assess children’s risk of problems including parental ill health, sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation.

The problem of harmful sexual behaviour between children and young people was also highlighted last week in a report by the Women and Equalities Committee. It found that almost 30% of 16-18 year old girls have experienced unwanted touching at school, and over 70% of 16-18 year old girls and boys say they hear girls called terms such as “slut”.

People who are legally minors are capable of sexually harassment and assault. Action on the problem is long overdue, and it’s vital that early inappropriate behaviour is treated compassionately but seriously.

Jon Brown, head of development and impact at the NSPCC, who helped develop the guidance, said: “Harmful sexual behaviour has gone under the radar for too long.

“There are three key messages in this guidance: that children and young people should be treated as just that, not as mini sex offenders; that the approach should be shaped to the individual, it’s not a one size fits all process; and finally that steps to change behaviour will only be effective if the family and support network understand there is an issue and are supportive.”

Maeve Murphy, a clinical nurse and another member of the CDG, added that there was “a disparity in the provision of services throughout the country to tackle these issues”.

Dr Abdullah Kraam MD MRCPsych, consultant child and adolescent forensic psychiatrist and member of the guideline development group, said: “This is the first time experts in this area have sat together and looked at the evidence and best practice about how we should help children and young people who engage in harmful sexual behaviour.”

Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an NHE columnist? If so, click here.

 

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

national health executive tv

more videos >

featured articles

View all News

last word

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad, president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), sits down with National Health Executive as part of our Last Word Q&A series. Would you talk us throu more > more last word articles >

health service focus

View all News

comment

NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

23/09/2019NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

Reason to celebrate as NHS says watching rugby can be good for your mental ... more >
Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Bei... more >

interviews

Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

24/10/2019Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

Today, speaking at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) annual... more >

the scalpel's daily blog

Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

28/08/2020Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers & Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Confederation The common enemy of coronavirus united the public side by side wi... more >
read more blog posts from 'the scalpel' >