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

Unit summary

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.

Learning outcomes Assessment

1 Understand the development of human sexuality

1.1 Define the terms: sexuality, sexual health, sexual orientation and 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

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

3.1 Explain the key features of sexual health and wellbeing and how this relates to an individual’s overall health and wellbeing

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

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

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