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Relationships and Sex Education

Please see below for the ways I can support with Relationship and Sex Education-focussed support and consultation.

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With over a decade of experience supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities with Mental Capacity Act assessments, I offer consultation, assessment and psychoeducation to individuals around topics related to their capacity to consent to sex.

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Considering the following, I would argue that where support is available, the communication and access needs of an individual are prioritised by those supporting them:​

  • Relationships and Sex Education is not mandatory for 16-18's in the UK, including those being supported by the current SEND system (read more about the Make it Mandatory campaign here), despite Government data showing that 16-19-year-olds experience the highest rates of domestic abuse of any age group (8%).

  • Existing research estimates that 50–80% of autistic people have experienced interpersonal victimisation by someone they know (Papadopoulos, 2016; Griffiths, et al., 2019; Reuben, et al., 2021), including exposure to polyvictimisation (repeat incidents) (Fardella and Weiss, 2018).

  • This work aligns with the Care Act 2014’s focus on well-being, autonomy, and safeguarding, ensuring people have access to informed support around relationships, sexuality, and consent without undue restriction.

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For individuals who are assessed as lacking capacity to consent to sex, and who may be referred to the Court of Protection for further support. I can offer psychoeducation, tailored to their speech, language and communication needs, with a follow-up re-assessment of their capacity.

Who might refer to me:

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  • Parent

  • The individual

  • Social Worker

  • Registered Manager

  • MCA professional

  • Advocate

  • SENCO

  • SEN Case Worker

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Please get in touch if you're unsure.

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I offer training and workshops for professionals supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities to navigate the complex intersections of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and legislation such as, the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), and the Care Act 2014.

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With over a decade of experience in capacity assessments, my sessions explore:

  • Understanding capacity to consent to sex through a neurodiversity-affirming lens

  • Applying the MCA in a way that centres autonomy and communication rights

  • Supporting individuals through psychoeducation tailored to their speech, language and communication needs

  • Working ethically with individuals who may lack capacity and are involved with the Court of Protection

  • Balancing safeguarding responsibilities with the rights to intimacy, pleasure and connection

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This training is ideal for people working in health, education, social care, and advocacy who want to approach this work with confidence, clarity, and care.

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I offer bespoke consultation for professionals and teams supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities around issues relating to capacity, consent, and interpersonal safety.

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This may include:

  • Case-based discussions on capacity to consent to sex from a communication and sensory perspective

  • Support to apply the Mental Capacity Act in ways that affirm autonomy, communication rights, and neurodivergent identity

  • Guidance on delivering inclusive, neurodivergent trauma-informed, and accessible psychoeducation

  • Advice on balancing safeguarding with rights to privacy, intimacy, and connection

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Consultation sessions are tailored to your role, team needs, and the specific contexts you’re working in. Whether you're seeking support on a single case or embedding best practice across your service, I provide a space that centres care, clarity, and critical reflection.

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This work sits at the intersection of legal frameworks, human rights, and relational well-being—and I’m here to help you navigate it thoughtfully and affirmingly with communication and access needs as a priority.​

Did You Know?

The Mental Capacity Act (2005) requires that all practical steps must be taken to support a person to make their own decision before they can be assessed as lacking capacity.

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This includes:

  • Adapting the way information is presented

  • Supporting understanding and expression through preferred communication methods

  • Creating the right environment and reducing communication barriers

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That’s where speech and language therapy comes in.


As communication specialists, Speech and Language Therapists play a key role in ensuring assessments are accessible, rights-based, and meaningful—not just a legal formality. We can help determine whether someone’s communication needs (not their cognitive ability) are what’s affecting decision-making, and offer tailored strategies or tools to support understanding, reasoning, and expression of choice.

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Without this, assessments risk being discriminatory or inaccurate—and may undermine the very autonomy the MCA is designed to protect.

Testimonials

‘I found Kate to be an experienced,  knowledgeable and passionate neurodiversity advocate who delivered her training in a way that was accessible, supportive and encouraged curiosity and participation.

 

Kate fostered a safe and inclusive learning space which allowed us to ask questions and share our challenges in a supportive and kind environment. I left wishing we had more time with her and cannot wait for our paths to cross again.

 

Highly recommend.’

LS, Assistant SENCO, Specialist College

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