ySOTSEC-ID/Keep Safe Resource & References v2
ySOTSEC-ID/Keep Safe v 2 April 2015
Resources, links and referencesuseful in working with children and young people with learning disabilities who behave in ways which are sexually harmful.
Please find below someresources, links and referenceswhich have been found useful in working with children and young people with learning disabilities who behave in ways which are sexually harmful. This is version 2 with new materials suggested by Keep Safe Development Group and ySOTSEC-ID members/e-list (thanks to Oliver Eastman, NCATS/Oxleas, Stephen Barry and Be Safe Team, Susie Dye, Paul Hamlyn Foundation ;Lorraine Lalor, Triangle, Sussex)and Lesley Ayland, WellStop, New Zealand.
Further updates will be made, so please send any additional useful information to Aida or Rowena at or
We have been working on the Keep Safe group intervention young people with learning disabilities who behave in ways which are sexually harmful. The feasibility study protocol is complete and NHS Research Ethical approval granted. The assessment and Keep Safe manual materials are currently available to services who will run feasibility groups. If you are interested in participating in the current feasibility study, or later systematic evaluation of Keep Safe, please contactAida or Rowena as above. Thanks
1Assessment resources suitable for children and/or young people with LD(some of the LD Sex and Relationship Education resources listed below are also helpful in assessment)
AIM Print B. et al 2012, AIM 2: Initial Assessment Model for young people who display sexually harmful behaviour. Information from: 2012 version extended and validated to include younger children, those with learning disabilities broader cultural range and females
Dodd, K., Jones, K., Liddiard, H Stroud, J.1st Edition, 2007; 2nd Edition, Due Spring 2015. EditionExploring Sexual and Social Understanding. British Institute for Learning Disability (okfor secondary education upwards, possibly some younger).
Fraser J. 2010 Sexual Knowledge and BehaviourAvailable from:
Fraser, J.2005 Anatomically Correct Male and Female Cloth Models. BodySense . Available from:
Traffic Light tool Brook : helps professionals working with children and young people consider “HSB”, provides a guide to distinguishing between healthy and harmful behaviours.
Free online at
Useful resources from Triangle:
How it is: An image vocabulary for children about: feelings, rights and safety, personal care and sexuality. Triangle /NSPCC (2002)
Free download at
2Assessment (non LD specific)
AIM Print B. et al 2012, AIM 2- see section 1 above
AIM Project, Carson, C. 2007 Education Guidelines for identifying and managing sexually harmful and problematic behaviours in Education Settings.
Prentsky R. & Righthand S. 2003 J-SOAP II Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment ProtocolManual.Bridgewater, MA: Justice Resource Institute.
Worling J.R.& Curwen T. 2001 Erasor–Estimate of Risk of Adolescent Sexual Offense Recidivism. Information from: 12-18)
(Miccio-Fonsecca 2006 MEGA Multiplex Empirically Guided Inventory of Ecological Aggregates for Assessing Sexually Abusive Adolescents and Children- update from 2012:attendees at MEGA training event reported whilst some MEGA constructs and items appeared to have utility, the heavily copyrighted tool and author-controlled scoring and reporting, did not appear useful in UK settings where practitioners use scoring and qualitative information for individualised assessment, formulation, intervention planning and review).
Other Triangle resources which offer practice guidance on appropriate questioning for children (including v. young), those with disabilities and vulnerable people include- helpful for general assessment and legal use:
Marchant, R. 2011 How Young is too Young?Investigative Interviews with children aged two to six.Free download at
Truth & Lies. Triangle. 20 film clips show real children telling the truth or telling lies about events proven to engage children and young people,requiring minimal language processing.
Available as: App for iPad and Smartphones at £14.99, licensed for a single use, or DVD (£140).
Planning to question a child or young person Toolkit 6
Free download at
Additional factors concerning children under 7 (or functioning at a very young age) Toolkit 7 Free download at
Child witnesses with autism (2012)
Free download at
Other communication tools/resources:
Talking Mats information, framework and resources. See
For a project training staff in use of Talking Mats to support people with learning disability to disclose issues of concern in conjunction with Survivor Scotland, see
3 Sex & relationship education resources for children and/or young people with LD :
AttwoodS. 2008 Making Sense of Sex: A Forthright Guide to Puberty, Sex and Relationships for People with Asperger's Syndrome.Available from:
Body board and emotions pack.Available from:
Briggs F.1995 Developing Personal Safety Skills in Children with Disabilities. Jessica Kingsley
Brook (updated 2010)Living your life: the sex education and personal development resource for special educational needs.Comprehensive. £120
Dixon H. 2004Picture Yourself. CD from
Dixon, H. 2005Chance to Choose .Me-and-Us (2005) CD-rom . Suitable for: 7 years to young adults.Available from:
Gadd M. Hinchliffe J. 2007 Jiwsi: a pick 'n' mix of sex and relationships education activities. FPA/DH. (For groups of young people under 25 years identified as “being vulnerable” including young people with physical and/or learning disabilities, autistic spectrum)
Available free from:
Hartman, D. (2013). Sexuality and Relationship Education for Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders. London, Jessica Kingsley.
Hollins, S. et alBooks Beyond Words include sexual abuse, personal hygiene, health, falling in love.Available from:
Humphreys E. & Dixon H. 2009 Songs for your body CD and booklet (abuse, masturbation, personal hygiene, condoms, contraception)
Available from
Image in Action Resources:
Johns R., Scott L. & Bliss J. Let’s Do It. (core activities handbook)
Scott L. & Duigan S. Let’s Plan It.(planning and curriculum guide how to put the Image in Action activities into practical, effective programmes for a range of groups)
Duigan S& Kerr- Edwards L. The Confidence Factor, (a SRE course for 11- 16 year olds with moderate learning disabilities or autism spectrum disorders with lesson plans and worksheets).
Going Further- Getting Started and SRE course (people with moderate learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders aged 16+, ok for younger people, and with some adaptation, some activities OK for severe learning disabilities)
Available as free downloadat
Josephine & Jack: Creative sexual health and wellbeing resource for people with learning disabilities- life size, three dimensional anatomical cloth figures detachable body parts, a feeling heart and a thinking head. Created by Them Wifies*, a community arts charity in Newcastle upon -Tyne. See
Life Support Productions Jason's Private WorldKylie's Private World1996
Re-released as updated DVD 2007.Your Body and Sex
Available from:
NHS Leeds (2009) The Children’s Learning Disabilities Nursing Team. Puberty and Sexuality for Children and Young People with Learning Disabilitiesavailable free at
NSPCC 2009 Safe: Personal Safety Skills for Deaf Children DVD-rom
Available from:
Reynolds, K. & Powell, J. 2014 What's Happening to Tom? A Book about Puberty for Boys and Young Men with Autism and Related Conditions (Sexuality and Safety with Tom and Ellie) Jessica Kingsley
Scott, L & Kerr-Edwards 2010 Talking Together...About Growing Up.
Scott, L & Kerr-Edwards 2010 Talking Together...About Sex and Relationships.
Scott, L & Kerr-Edwards 2010 Talking Together...About Contraception. (2 booklets)
....for schools, parents and professionalsand young people with learning disabilities-more info from
4 Intervention Resource (non LD specific), see also references:
Allred, T. & Burns, G. 1997 STOP –Just for kids. Safer Society Press. Brandon, VT.
Bonner B.L., Walker C.E & Berliner L. (undated) Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy for Children with Sexual Behavior Problems. National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, Administration for Children, Youth, and Families, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
(Bromberg, B.S. & O’Donohue, W.T. (Eds) 2014 Toolkit for Working with Juvenile Sex Offenders (Practical Resources for the Mental Health Professional). Academic Press. (predominantly USA focus; good chapter on ‘Good Lives’ from Print et al- but their book probably more useful; chapter on LD/ID thin)
Cruise T.K. & Horton C. B. 2001Child Abuse and Neglect: the school’s response. Guilford
Hansen, K. & Kahn, T.J. 2006 Footprints: Steps to a healthy life. Safer Society Press; Brandon, VT.
Kahn, T.J. 1996Pathways: A guided workbook for youth beginning treatment, Rev. Ed.Safer Society Press: Brandon, VT.
Kahn, T.J. 1999Roadmaps to recovery: A guided workbook for young people in treatment. Safer Society Press: Brandon, VT.
McCrory, E. & Walker-Rhymes P. 2011 A treatment manual for adolescents displaying sexually harmful behaviour: change for good. NSPCC/Jessica Kingsley.
Pause, play, stop: Resources, information and a campaign to improve knowledge and behaviour re sexual consent.
Wud U?An educational tool (app) for teachers and care professionals who interact with young people that might be at risk of sexual exploitation. Not LD specific, but may be helpful with some YP. See:
Real Love RocksNot LD specific, some resources may be useful. Primary (year 6) Secondary (years 7 and up) help schools and others talk to children in an age appropriate way about relationships and keeping safe. Uses lots of games, crafts, activities and animations to addresses four key themes.
- Relationships: What they are and what makes a happy, safe, fair and consensual relationship.
- Child Sexual Exploitation:What it means, the different ways it might happen and where to get help if needed.
- Keeping Safe:Encouraging young people to think about how to stay safe when they are out and about; highlighting the added risk that alcohol, drugs or not being in contact with parents/careers can bring.
- Impact of Watching Porn and Sexting:The impact of watching porn and the possible consequences. The risks involved in sexting and how to stay safe online.
Resources for emotions:
Emotions Cards LDA
Feelings in a jar 2008. Free Spirit Publishing.
SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) Primary and secondary curriculum materials.Available free at:
Strength Cards for Kids2009Russell Deal, Mat Jones. St Luke’s Innovative Resources ISBN: 978 1 920945 381. £28.95 - great for discussing/measuring the Good Side.
Wilson, P. & Long, I. 2009 Big Book of Blob Feelings. Speechmark
Wilson, P. & Long, I. 2009 Big Book of Blobs. Speechmark
Wilson, P. & Long, I. 2012Giant Blob Tree Poster: A No Word Tool to Aid Communication. Speechmark
Resources for diverse culturally-sensitive, person-centered communication and understanding:
Rose et al 2014 Tools for TalkingResources to facilitate culturally sensitive, person-centred communication and understanding, service planning and delivery. Themes: culture, good support, independence, relational networks, activities.Free download from:
5 Organisations working with children and young people with LD and sexually harmful behaviour:
G-map(Greater Manchester) provides services for young people who display inappropriate sexual behavioursworking with young people, their families, carers and their professional network. They provide a group programme for young people with learning difficulties/disabilities.
More info from:
Jiwsi(North Wales) is an FPAcommunity education project and practitioners network delivering sexual health and relationshipseducation to groups of vulnerable young people includingyoung people with physical and/or learning disabilities, autistic spectrum,young people who have been or are at risk of being abused; and youngpeople who have or are at risk of abusing others(under 25 years) in community settings throughout NorthWales. It has been running since 2002. The network offers an opportunity for those who work with young people to come togetherto discuss sex and relationships work (SRW) and ensure their practice is up to date. It isalso a chance to share information and experience (the network distributes up-to-date SREinformation by email) and to access resource ideas. To find out more about the network please contact the JiwsiCo-ordinatorMel Gadd, Jiwsi Co-ordinator,
Respond(London) work with people with learning disabilitiesacross the life span who have experienced trauma, domestic violence, abuse, lossand those who behave in ways which are sexually harmful including young people’s services.
More info from:
6 Organisations working with children and young people with sexually harmful behaviour (not LD specific):
NSPCC - They are delivering and evaluating “Turn the Page (formerly known as Change for Good)” (McCrory 2011) the “guided manualised cognitive behavioural therapy approach to post-assessment intervention with male children and young people with harmful sexual behaviour”. NSPCC runs some other projects, training and conferences. See
NCATS (National Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service), is a London-based national service run in partnership with the NSPCC and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. It provides consultations, assessments and a range of specialist interventions for children and young people displaying harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) including both boys and girls up to the age of 21. The team is multi-disciplinary, consisting of four social workers, a probation officer, a consultant clinical psychologist, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, and a systemic family therapist. NCATS welcomes initial telephone or email enquiries about its services from a wide range of organisations including local authorities, youth offending services, Courts and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) throughout the UK.
Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF) is “the only UK-wide child protection charity dedicated solely to reducing the risk of children being sexually abused”. It provides specialist assessment, intervention, training and case advice. It works with entire families that have been affected by abuse including adult male and female sexual abusers, young people with inappropriate sexual behaviours, victims of abuse and other family members. See
Barnardos has some projects/services focused on assessment and treatment of children and young people with harmful sexual behaviours, training, consultation and professional developmenteg Chilston Project (Kent) and Taith (South Wales).See
New Zealand organisations:
WellStop – developed Good Way Model. Info on programmes and publications, see
Stop:Info on programmes and publications, see
7 Other useful websites
: British Institute for Learning Disabilities offer useful resources for young people with learning disabilities on social understanding and sexual relationships.
: Website for children and young people.
Website for adults concerned about a child or young people.
: Useful sexual health resources including information for young people with learning disabilities.
: Advice on bullying and child sexual abuse for children, young people and adults
Useful resources including children’s programme on managing problematic sexual behaviours- The Turtle Programme.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Useful resources on working with children and sexual development.
Education Forum is a membership organisation, with other stakeholders, works to achieve quality sex and relationships education. Hosted by National Children’s Bureau. Links with RSE hub also focused on strengthening Relationshipsand Sex Education.
Useful resources for working with child abuse including denied child abuse
Stop it Now! England works across the country to ensure that parents, carers and professionals are as best placed as they can be to protect children from sexual abuse. Useful resources, helpline and training.
: Useful resources for working with children with sexual behaviour problems.Eliana Gil (Author)
: Sexual health advice for young people.
: Advice and resources about safe internet use for 5 to 7s, 8 to 10s, 11 to 16s, and parents/carers, teachers and trainers.
: Useful sexual health and relationship resources for working with young people.
8 References (Children and young people with LD)
Almond, L & Giles, S, 2008 “Young people with harmful sexual behaviour: Do those with learning disabilities form a distinct subgroup?” Journal of Sexual Aggression, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 227-239.
Ayland L. & West B. 2006. The Good Way model: A strengths-based approach for working with young people, especially those with intellectual disabilities, who have intellectually abusive behaviour. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 12, 2, 189-201.
Briggs F. 2006 Safety Issues in the Lives of Children with Learning Disabilities. Social Policy Journal Of New Zealand Te Puna Whakaaro,29
Craig L A, Lindsay W R & Browne K D eds (2010) Assessment and Treatment of Sexual
Offenders with Intellectual Disabilities:AHandbook.Wiley – Blackwell (chapters onadolescents and developmental issues)
Griffin, H. & Vettor, S. (2012). Predicting sexual reoffending in a UK sample of learning disabled adolescents. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 18, 1, 64-80.
Fyson, R, 2005Young People with Learning Disabilities who Show Sexually Inappropriate or Abusive Behaviours, Ann Craft Trust.
Lindsay et al 1999, Treatment of Adolescent Sex Offenders with Intellectual Disabilities” in Mental Retardation, Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 201-211
O’Callaghan, D (1999) Young Abusers with Learning Disabilities: towards betterunderstanding and positive interventions. In Martin C. Calder [ed.] Working with Young
People who Sexually Abuse: New Pieces of the Jigsaw Puzzle. Lyme Regis: Russell
O'Callaghan, D. (2001) 'Young sexual offenders with learning difficulties', G-MAP Extract from chapter in S. M. Sgroi (Ed.) Handbook of Clinical Intervention in Child Sexual Abuse, Lexington Mass: Lexington Books.
Rossiter et al 2010 Research review - Children and young people with learning disabilities who sexually abuse. Inform, e-journal Community Care, 10 November.
Stothart C. 2010 Treatment for young abusers left to chance. Community Care, 16th Sept.
Victoria Disability Services (1999). Strategy for Prevention of Sexual Offending – Children and Young People with an Intellectual Disability. Victoria Disability Services: Australia.
West, B. 2007 Using the Good Way model to work positively with adults and youth with intellectual difficulties and sexually abusive behaviour. Journal of Sexual Aggression, Vol 13:3, 253-266. Download from:
West, B. & Ayland, L. 2010 The Good Way Model: Working positively with slower learners with sexually abusive behaviours, and with their families and communities of interest. In Current Applications: strategies for working with sexually aggressive and youth with sexual behaviour problems. Eds Prescott, D.S. & Longo, R.E.; Neari Press, Chapter 19, 339-364. Download from :