Whole School Approach to Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) project
Message from the Norfolk HSB Team:
The Norfolk Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) Team is a working partnership between Norfolk County Council (NCC), and Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (NSFT). The team are commissioned to work with young people who display harmful sexual behaviours, and professionals involved in their care.
During 2025, approximately 64 percent of referrals to the HSB team were received from schools and, of these, approximately 31 percent had repeat referrals, many of which comprised multiple referrals from the same school. This has led the HSB team to consider more holistic approaches to the support they offer so that whole organisations can be supported simultaneously.
The HSB team are developing a "whole school approach" to harmful sexual behaviour to help schools build confidence, improve support mechanisms and increase understanding of harmful sexual behaviour. It aims to support schools to create safer, more consistent environments for all pupils regarding HSB within the system by embedding effective safeguarding practice, improving curriculum delivery and promoting staff confidence.
An initial feasibility project is planned to launch in October 2026 with a select number of schools for approximately one year. Details on how schools can access this service and participate in the initial project will be shared at the start of the next school term in September 2026.
Stakeholder meetings - Expressions of interest needed
Prior to October 2026 there will be a series of stakeholder meetings to outline and discuss the project. If a DSL from your setting would be willing to attend these stakeholder meetings to give an education perspective, please email the Education Safeguarding Team mailbox [email protected] and Lucy Canning will be in touch to discuss further.
Please note: There are limited spaces for attendance at the stakeholder group, but the Education Safeguarding Team will keep education settings up to date with regular communications as the project progresses.
