Healthy Respect: it’s all about improving the sexual health and relationships of young people through partnership working.Healthy Respect Lothian is committed to improving the sexual health and wellbeing of young people, using an evidence-informed approach that integrates information, education and services
Healthy Respect was set up as a Scottish Executive (now Scottish Government) funded national health demonstration project, hosted by NHS Lothian. Healthy Respect was one of four projects outlined in the Government’s White paper ’Towards a Healthier Scotland’ (1999). It was set up to look at ways of supporting young people to make positive choices about their sexual health and wellbeing.
The project began in 2001 and continued until 2004 (Phase One). Following an interim year for planning (2004), a further three years’ funding was provided, taking the demonstration work up to March 2008 (Phase Two). Today, Healthy Respect Lothian is a partnership network co-ordinated by NHS Lothian. Appropriate elements of work and practice are available for integration both locally and nationally.
Healthy Respect staff and partners come from a variety of areas including education, the voluntary sector, youth work, community learning and development, medical and nursing, social marketing and health promotion.
What is Healthy Respect?
Through partnership, Healthy Respect aims to create an environment that will lead to long-term improvements in the sexual health and wellbeing of young people using an evidence-informed approach that integrates information, education and services. Healthy Respect consists of three different, but connected, components:
Healthy Respect Demonstration Project (2001 – 2008): Completed project designed to test evidence-informed and innovative approaches to improving the sexual health and wellbeing of
young people using an integrated approach.
Healthy Respect Lothian (from 2008): Network co-ordinated by NHS Lothian to support
sexual health information, education and services for young people.
Healthy Respect Dissemination Programme (2008 – 2010): Ongoing sharing of implementation experience and independent evaluation from the Demonstration Project.
For further information, contact: Healthy Respect on 0131 536 9454 or healthy.respect@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Our vision
To create an environment that will lead to long term improvements in young people’s sexual health and relationships, by enabling them to develop a positive attitude to their own wellbeing and that of others.
Guiding principles
The principles of Healthy Respect are based on:
- The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child; and
- The World Health organisation working definition of sexual health:
‘Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing in relation to sexuality;
it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity.’
For Healthy Respect this means that young people’s sexual health is an integral part of their lives
and services must reflect this within formal education, health and social services.
Our approach
Healthy Respect Lothian is committed to improving the sexual health and wellbeing of young people, using an evidence-informed approach that integrates information, education and services.
Working in partnership: the network
Healthy Respect is committed to and dependent on partnership working to deliver the multi-faceted programme of education, information and services to young people. Partnership working with organisations and local agencies is key to improving the sexual health and relationships of young people as these agencies have an in-depth knowledge of community needs and networks.
By working closely with our partner agencies we can facilitate links and communication, empower those already working in local areas and demonstrate good practice. Ultimately the network aims to facilitate a culture change, creating an environment that will lead to long term improvements in the sexual health and wellbeing of young people in Lothian.
“No single organisation can improve single-handedly the sexual health and wellbeing of young people.”
How we work
Healthy Respect Lothian is aimed at young people in Lothian. We continue to work with parents, carers, significant adults and professionals who work to support young people. In addition, we work with partners and local organisations from both statutory and voluntary sectors. In partnership with others we:
- Support and encourage the delivery of educational programmes in both formal and informal education settings
- Connect with hard to reach groups through community education, social work, voluntary organisations and the NHS
- Support and maintain a network of Healthy Respect accredited drop-ins, operating to the
all I want-LIVE standards, within a variety of settings including schools and community venues
- Maintain and contribute to professional networks that promote the integrated delivery of education, information and services
- Provide training and professional development opportunities
- Implement the Healthy Respect brand and an integrated communication programme across Lothian. Where possible, we develop resources and social marketing campaigns to support the vision and promote the values of Healthy Respect.
Networks
Healthy Respect Lothian maintains and contributes to three professional networks:
Healthy Respect and Sexual Health Network
Biannual events provide an opportunity for Healthy Respect Lothian’s strategic partners to meet together. This includes partners with a lead for sexual health from voluntary and statutory organisations. The purpose of the events is to provide a forum for networking and debate, to share information, resources and influence the development of strategies/policies in relation to sexual health in Lothian.
Targeted Sex and Relationships Support Network
This network supports a range of professionals working with vulnerable young people who are not accessing sex and relationships education or support in mainstream schools. The biannual events offer specialist training in relevant areas, networking opportunities, support, resources and the sharing of examples of good practice.
Services Network
The network for professionals working in services has two components: one which covers the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian, and the other covering West Lothian. All multi-disciplinary staff working in Healthy Respect Lothian drop-ins, or partner agencies delivering young people’s drop-ins are invited to attend. Regular events offer networking opportunities and updates for staff on developments and policies relating to generic and sexual health issues for young people. The network also supports the implementation of the Healthy Respect Lothian all I want – LIVE standards.
Evaluation
Evaluation has always been an integral part of Healthy Respect. Phase Two of demonstration ended in March 2008. The Scottish Government commissioned NHS Health Scotland to manage a collaborative group of research organisations to carry out an independent evaluation of Phase Two.
The Evaluation of Healthy Respect Phase Two: Interim Report (Executive Summary) 2008 is available to download from the Downloads and Camapigns section. A final evaluation report is due to be published at the end of 2009.
Although demonstration is now complete, evaluation continues. Working together with other organisations to improve the sexual health and wellbeing of young people, we continue to learn about effective interventions, and to share the learning with other individuals and partners.
Dissemination of Learning
Funded by the Scottish Government and hosted by Health Scotland, the Healthy Respect Dissemination Programme works alongside Health Scotland’s WISH Network to share implementation experiences alongside independent evaluation reports from Phase Two of demonstration.
The Dissemination Programme’s target groups are:
- Professionals and partnerships working at a local level to support the development of sexual health services, education and information
- Professionals and partnerships working at a national level to support the implementation of national policy.
As well as sharing learning from the Healthy Respect Demonstration Project, it is hoped to share learning from other parts of Scotland.
For further information, contact Moray Paterson, Healthy Respect Dissemination Programme Leader. Email: moray.paterson@health.scot.nhs.uk
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About Healthy Respect