Local Barnsley programme wins Pamela Sheridan Award 2011

A Barnsley Council programme that takes a holistic approach to sexual health, drugs and alcohol issues affecting young people has won the Pamela Sheridan Award 2011 – a national education prize from the sexual health charity FPA (Family Planning Association). This prestigious award is made annually by the charity for excellence in sex and relationships education (SRE).

Barnsley Sex, Drugs and Alcohol steering group will receive £1,000 worth of FPA resources. Their highly successful initiative consulted with adults and children, to develop outstanding resources, training and support for schools and other organisations to deal with important issues around sex, alcohol and drug use.

Since 2009, over three-quarters of primary schools in Barnsley and every secondary school have participated in the programme. This is an amazing testament to its success. Barnsley Council will be presented with the award at the Sex Education Forum summer meeting today at the National Children’s Bureau in London.

A steering group of lead professionals from agencies (including NHS Barnsley, school nursing, youth services, substance misuse, and the drug and alcohol action team) was set up after the Barnsley Children and Young People’s Plan for 2009-12 identified a need for better SRE, drug and alcohol education.

The group consulted with young people, teachers, parents and carers and developed a range of unique SRE resources and training for professionals. The resources and training were delivered not only in schools, but across services such as the youth service, youth offending team, Barnsley College, looked after children's service and children's centres.

The award-winning resources include:

• A toolkit for practitioners who work with parents/carers: ‘How to talk to children about drugs, alcohol and sex.’
• A primary school scheme of work
• A toolkit for secondary schools: ‘How to develop health and wellbeing services for students.’
• A teaching resource aimed at 12 – 19 year olds

Cllr Linda Burgess, cabinet spokesperson for Children, Young People and Families at Barnsley Council, said:
“We are proud to be recognised for the work that has been done by the steering group, culminating in this award. I’m sure I speak for everyone involved on the group when I say that we will continue to strive to help guide young people to make informed and positive life choices.”

Barnsley Council programme case study.

The judging panel for the Pamela Sheridan Award this year was: Julie Bentley, Chief Executive FPA, Lucy Emmerson of the Sex Education Forum and Jane Lees representing the National Personal and Social Education Association for Advisors, Inspectors and Consultants.

Julie Bentley, Chief Executive FPA, said:
“The judges chose this initiative because it so clearly linked the issue of sexual health with alcohol and drugs. Educational resources were developed for schools and other organisations to integrate into their SRE programmes. The project also has a clear future. Many local education and health initiatives, such as the Parenting and Family Support Strategy are including the award-winning programme in their local action plans.The panel felt that young people and parents were fully consulted with.”

The Pamela Sheridan Award celebrates the best sex and relationships education (SRE) in either schools or community projects. The Award was established in memory of Pamela Sheridan (1911-1994) by her family. She was an early sex education pioneer and had a lifelong interest in family planning.

Contact at Barnsley Council
Gaz Gerrard
Corporate Communications Advisor
Gateway Plaza, Level 9
Barnsley S70 9GG
Tel: 01226 773443 or 07786 525339(m)

– Ends –

For further information please contact the FPA press office on 020 7608 5265/5264. Mobile 07958 921060.

The sexual health charity FPA champions the importance of good sexual health for everyone. We educate, inform, support and campaign for people across the UK. The Family Planning Association is a registered charity, number 250187.

About the press office.