Evaluating sexual health programs can test the effectiveness of activities in prompting behaviour change and any increases in knowledge. The results can be used to advocate for more sexual health programs and provide information for reporting on program outcomes for funders and managers. You can print the evaluation sheet on the next page and use it at the end of activities and programs. You may choose to use a pre and post evaluation to track changes in knowledge and intention. The evaluation sheet template can be adapted to investigate the success of specific program objectives. Download Evaluation sheet template PDF
Providing sexual health information to young people in groups helps create positive attitudes toward prevention, testing and treatment. This approach can counter negative messages. Sexual Health Group Work (I’ve add this in) invites young people to take responsibility for providing their peers with positive messages and strategies for sexual health and wellbeing. Group work uses proven, creative tools to encourage young people to canvass options, practise skills and explore values. The resource kit includes a range of activities that use group dynamics to explore an issue or generate ideas. The quality of these activities often depends on questioning, debriefing and reporting during and after the activity. You are encouraged to practise group work skills and obtain training in this if possible. Download Sexual health group work fact sheet PDF
Youth workers are trusted as a source of information on sexual health by young people. They may want to talk to you about their relationships and sexual concerns, but want you to raise the subject first. So how do you start the conversation? The Talking About Sexual Health tool and guide are great approaches to facilitate conversation with young people about sexual health. These resources can assist you to understand what their thoughts and concerns might be, and how you can support and assist them in making informed decisions in relation to their sexual health. The tool is designed to jog your memory, with a quick glance you will be able to start the conversation and keep it on track. Adapt the tool as necessary for the young people you work with. The key steps of the conversation will generally be the same, however, the language you use or the opportunity to start the conversation will always be slightly different. This will depend on your service, the young person you are talking with, and the amount of time you have. Download Talking About Sexual Health Tool Talking About Sexual Health Guide
Clinical knowledge can change over time and there are many sources of authoritative information for workers and young people listed in this resource kit, such as the Play Safe website. It is important that health, youth and other workers use the same key messages about young people’s sexual health. The messages below are consistent in all the material in this resource kit. They are designed to help young people address their sexual health needs and concerns. You are in a unique position to design or identify opportunities to communicate these messages to young people and to guide them in developing strategies to apply this learning in real life situations. The Resource Kit includes activities chosen and designed to generate discussions with young people and provide opportunities to convey each of these key sexual health messages. Download Key sexual health messages fact sheet PDF
It includes advice for working with all young people, including those who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, LGBTIQA+, and young people with disability. Anyone working with young people can use this tool – including workers in youth services programs, schools, sports clubs, homelessness services, and youth advocacy and legal services. Sexual health initiatives are most effective when delivered as part of larger, holistic program provided by trusted workers. However, organisations may face barriers when being proactive with young people about their sexual health. These can include workers feeling it is not part of their role, management seeing sexual health as ‘too risky’, competing priorities, lack of resources and concerns around parent/guardian consent. This tool addresses these concerns by providing information to integrate sexual health into pre-existing programs and frameworks using Kotter’s 8-step change model. Anyone, at any level in an organisation, can be an effective advocate for change. By following these easy steps, you can help build your organisation’s capacity to support the sexual health of young people. Consider using this tool alongside the organisational checklist. It is designed to help you plan sexual health activities as part of your work. Download Sexual Health Advocacy Tool PDF
