Principles of Supporting Individuals with a Learning Disability Regarding Sexuality and Sexual Health

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 3
Unit No:
A/650/2176
Credits:
3
Guided learning hours:
21 hours

Assessment Guidance

This unit needs to be assessed in line with the Skills for Care and Development Assessment Principles

Aim

The unit introduces the principles of supporting individuals with a learning disability regarding sexuality and sexual health. It gives a broad summary of sexuality, sexual development and sexual health. The unit also introduces relevant legislation that relates to the development of sexuality for an individual with a learning disability.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1

Understand the development of human sexuality.

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1

    Define the terms:

    • sexuality 
    • sexual health
    • sexual orientation
    • sexual expression.
  • 1.2

    Explain main sexual development milestones throughout an individual’s lifespan.

2

Understand how the sexual development of individuals with a learning disability can differ.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1

    Describe how genetic factors can influence the sexual development, sexual expression and sexual health of an individual with a learning disability.

  • 2.2

    Describe how socio-cultural factors and religious beliefs can influence an individual’s sexual development.

  • 2.3

    Explain how mental capacity can influence sexual development, sexual experiences, sexual expression and sexual health.

3

Understand the issues of sexual health and how these can be supported.

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1

    Explain sexual health and well-being and how these relate to an individual’s overall health and well-being.

  • 3.2

    Identify sexual health issues that differently affect men and women.

  • 3.3

    Explain how sexual health issues can be supported within plans for healthcare.

  • 3.4

    Identify local services that exist to support sexual health for individuals.

4

Understand relevant legislation influencing the support of sexuality and sexual health for individuals with learning disabilities.

Assessment Criteria

  • 4.1

    Explain key parts of relevant legislation relating to sexuality and sexual health for individuals and how this influences practice.

5

Know how to support the sexual expression of an individual with a learning disability.

Assessment Criteria

  • 5.1

    Explain how own values, belief systems and experiences may impact on support for individuals with learning disabilities.

  • 5.2

    Explain why the development of a meaningful relationship can be important to the development of an individual’s sexuality.

  • 5.3

    Describe different ways an individual can express themselves sexually and how individual preferences can be supported.

  • 5.4

    Explain how to support an individual to keep safe sexually, to minimise sexual vulnerability, and to avoid instances of abusive experiences.