Exploring Healthy Relationships Programmes for Secondary School Age Children: Report

This report presents the findings of a project undertaken to support the development of healthy relationships among secondary school-aged children. The research was guided by the following core aims:

1. To synthesise the existing evidence base, policy context, and examples of best practice relating to healthy relationships education in secondary schools, in order to identify the key principles, challenges, and requirements for effective delivery within the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum.
2. To develop an evidence-informed Theory of Change for the delivery of healthy relationships education that enhances teacher confidence, aligns with statutory RSHE guidance, and provides practical recommendations for implementation within secondary schools in Northamptonshire.

The project employed an evidence informed qualitative research design to examine current approaches to healthy relationships education and to develop a Theory of Change to support its delivery within secondary schools. As outlined previously, the original methodological approach was revised to focus on a structured synthesis of the existing academic literature, relevant policy frameworks, and established practice. This approach enabled the development of a robust conceptual framework grounded in current evidence and aligned with the practical realities of educational delivery. In addition to informing current practice, the report provides a strategic roadmap for future research, identifying key evidence gaps, priority areas for investigation, and methodological considerations to support the design and implementation of a subsequent empirical study.