THE first ever national guidance for teachers on relationship advice for pupils will help protect teenagers from harm, it is claimed.

Help on discussions about sex, consent, “intimate images” and “healthy” relationships with youngsters will be made available to teachers, youth workers and health professionals.

Created for those of and above secondary school age, it is aimed at ensuring “consistent” support for those seeking answers on issues they may not be comfortable taking up with a parent or guardian.

The Scottish Government says the professionals using the material will “use their expert judgement to determine age and stage-appropriate messages”.

Emphasising the legal age of consent, the guidance covers aspects of “the basic principles of respect and consent”.

It is hoped that the measure, which is part of wide ranging efforts to reduce sexual offending and abuse within relationships, will help children of 11 and up develop responsible attitudes that they will take into adulthood.

According to the 2017 Girls’ Attitudes Survey, 30% had had their bra strap pulled by a boy in the previous week, and boys had pulled up the skirts of almost one third at school during that time. The guidance covers the causes and impacts of “power imbalances” and states: “The ways we understand issues of consent are shaped by gender roles, norms and stereotypes and so it’s important to help young people unpick these, to enable them to build healthy and equal ways of relating.”

Kathryn Dawson, sexual violence prevention coordinator at Rape Crisis Scotland, commented: “We’re really pleased these key messages have been developed to support professionals around the country working with young people on these vitally important issues.

“Young people are ready to talk and it’s so important to provide safe spaces for them to learn about consensual and healthy relationships – both in terms of their right to be safe, and their responsibility to respect others in intimate and sexual relationships.”

Unveiling the guidance, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Everyone is entitled to a healthy, happy relationship built on respect and this guidance will ensure all of our young people are given consistent advice to make informed choices.

“Getting it right for every child means being able to have open and candid conversations about the issues affecting young people’s lives and that must include a safe space to learn about consensual and healthy relationships.”

Lisa Kirkbride, senior inspector at the Care Inspectorate, stated: “Young people often look for advice about friendships and relationships from the adults they know and trust.

“We need to be able to provide accurate information about healthy relationships and consent so that they can better understand their rights and make safer and healthier choices and decisions for themselves.

“This resource offers key information and messages to enable professionals to talk confidently and sensitively with young people about relationships and consent to sexual activity.

“This will promote greater access to information that is important in developing healthy relationships and to understanding consent during their remaining childhood and into early adult life.”

The material emphasises the need to cater to young people of differing sexual orientations and gender identities.

LGBT Youth Scotland chief executive Cara Spence said: “LGBT young people are rarely provided the opportunity to explore how these issues relate to their lives, so it’s great to see that the messages are inclusive.”

Groups working with young people welcomed the move, with Cara Spence, the chief executive, LGBT Youth Scotland, saying: “We are delighted that these key messages have been developed to support a range of practitioners to take a positive approach to exploring issues of consent and healthy relationships with young people.”

She added: “LGBT young people are rarely provided the opportunity to explore how these issues relate to their lives, so it’s great to see that the messages are inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities.”

Lisa Kirkbride, a senior inspector with the Care Inspectorate, said: “Young people often look for advice about friendships and relationships from the adults they know and trust.

“We need to be able to provide accurate information about healthy relationships and consent so that they can better understand their rights and make safer and healthier choices and decisions for themselves.

“This resource offers key information and messages to enable professionals to talk confidently and sensitively with young people about relationships and consent to sexual activity. This will promote greater access to information that is important in developing healthy relationships and to understanding consent during their remaining childhood and into early adult life.”

Kathryn Dawson, sexual violence prevention Coordinator at Rape Crisis Scotland said: “We’re really pleased these key messages have been developed to support professionals around the country working with young people on these vitally important issues.

“Young people are ready to talk and it’s so important to provide safe spaces for them to learn about consensual and healthy relationships - both in terms of their right to be safe, and their responsibility to respect others in intimate and sexual relationships.”