ENGAGEMENT with Catholic schools regarding sexual education has proved “very difficult” in St Helens, a new report has said.

On Monday, a report looking at the borough’s teenage sexual health services was discussed by members of St Helens Council’s children and young people’s services overview and scrutiny panel.

The review found that young people are sometimes “denied” education, information or health services.

“Due in part to a negative perception of sexual education or a fear that it will encourage sexual activity, young people are sometimes denied education, information or health services that would otherwise have helped them to make capable, informed choices,” the report says.

“Sex education in schools is a good opportunity to ensure that all appropriate sexual health messages are conveyed.

“We heard that engagement with Catholic schools in the borough had so far proved very difficult and more work was required in this area, particularly in relation to these young people being able to access holistic sexual health services.”

The government recently announced that from 2019 Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) will be statutory for all education services.

The council report says that, once published, government guidance on the teaching of RSE and Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, will be discussed with education providers with a view to improving engagement, particularly with Catholic schools, in the borough.

Earlier this year, the council’s Teenage Sexual Health (TAZ) Service provided a drop-in service to more than 300 pupils at Cowley High School.

The service is now providing drop-in sessions within several faith-led high schools.

Cllr Teresa Sims, ward member for Eccleston, is a former governor of a faith school.

The Liberal Democrat councillor said: “I’m pleased now that there is a lot more acceptance for the work that they are doing here in schools.

“Because being in a faith school for a long time, I know at one time it was completely alien to them and they didn’t want anything to do with it.

“And there was real uproar because of provision, and that wasn’t because of the kids, it wasn't the parents it was the staff.

“And I think they were uncomfortable about dealing with some of the issues within this, so that had to be sorted.

“So, I’m pleased now that this is the norm now because they have realised it is the child that matters, and the child that needs to be equipped to make sensible decisions.

“They have come a hell of a long way.”

The report says the council will now develop a 12-month plan with respect to education and raising awareness of positive sexual health.

The plan will be a join project between the council, TAZ and St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals Trust’s Health Improvement Team.

Cllr Joe Pearson, mayor of St Helens, welcomed the developments.

He said: “I find it worrying that some adults are unable to talk about such matters.

“We’re in the 21st century now, behaviour has changed, children know a lot more about things and they need to have all the information so that they can be equipped to make sensible choices for themselves.”

The report will go before cabinet at a later date.