This area of practice brings together reflection, experience and action. It includes a podcast that explores sexuality and relationships through real perspectives from practice, an approach that frames how these topics appear in everyday work with young people, and a set of methods and workshops that translate ideas into concrete activities. The materials can be used independently or combined, depending on your context and learning goals.
This podcast explores how sexuality and relationships are understood and approached across different contexts of working with young people. It reflects on themes such as communication, consent, emotional connection and social expectations, often beyond formal education frameworks. The conversation brings together perspectives from youth work and other sectors, highlighting both the importance and the challenges of addressing sexuality and relationships in practice, including discomfort, uncertainty and differing value systems. The edited podcast transcript based on recorded discussion is available for download below.
Sexuality and relationships in practice are often shaped by silence, assumptions and unspoken norms. Young people may receive fragmented or contradictory messages, while safe spaces for open discussion are limited or unevenly available. This approach emphasises the importance of trust, sensitivity and clarity, and focuses on supporting young people in expressing themselves, understanding boundaries, respecting others and making informed choices in relationships.
The following methods and workshops support practical engagement with sexuality and relationships. They are designed to encourage reflection, dialogue and awareness of boundaries, consent and communication, and can be adapted to different groups, ages and contexts. The methods and workshops related to this area of practice are available as printable cards. You can download them below.
This area of practice can be combined with the Navigation Cards to deepen reflection and discussion. The cards can help explore personal positions on sexuality and relationships, challenge assumptions and stereotypes, and reflect on the consequences of attitudes, choices and behaviours.
They can be used before, during or after activities to support orientation and meaningful dialogue.