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Workgroups set up to inform people with moderate-to-serious learning difficulties about sexuality were effective, according to a study. The workshop group improved its performance in social functioning, sexual behaviour and socio-sexual knowledge, compared with a control group. Improvements were seen between the first and second test in each area. The workgroup made greater gains in socio-sexual knowledge than in socio-sexual behaviour.

Issues concerning the UK government's attempts to educate young people against the dangers of sexual activity and the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection are discussed.

Baroness Cumberlege junior health minister has said that under-age children can be advised on contraception by health professionals and that includes providing condoms without parental permission. This is in contrast to the Department of Education's guidelines that teachers who gave under-age children advice on contraception without parental authority could be prosecuted and if teachers thought that pupils were having under-age sexual intercourse the matter should be reported.

School nurses have perhaps taken on too much, and sex education can be a legal minefield for school nurses, often expected to deliver contraceptive advice with the education. Moving children with specialist needs into mainstream education and the emotional consequences of parental problems add to the load of these nurses.