Standards Framework
Better sexual health education
for every student.
Developing a national 16–24 RSE standards framework in England, supported by resources, guidance, and educational outreach to improve sexual and reproductive health education across post-16 settings.
Public health surveillance in England 2024
100,000+
New STI diagnoses among 15–24 year olds in 2024
UKHSA Sexually Transmitted Infections Report
Highest
Age specific STI rates nationally
UKHSA Public Health Surveillance Data
No national standard
Exists for RSE education across post-16 settings
CSRH Analysis
Why this matters
A structural gap in post-16 education
There is no national standard for post-16 RSE in England. The result is variable provision and students without consistent or comprehensive information.
Variable provision
Coverage, scope, and delivery approaches differ substantially across institutions. Many learners do not receive consistent or comprehensive information about their sexual and reproductive health.
Gaps in knowledge and confidence
Inconsistent RSE affects learners’ confidence engaging with sexual and reproductive health services, recognising risk, and seeking timely testing with direct public health consequences.
No accountability
Without national standards, there is no basis for benchmarking provision, assessing quality, or holding institutions accountable for what they deliver.
100,000+
New STI diagnoses among 15-24 year olds in England in 2024. This age group consistently records the highest rates nationally across recent surveillance cycles.
UKHSA Sexually Transmitted Infections Report, 2024A key structural issue is identifiable, there is no national standard for post-16 sexual and reproductive health education in England.
Our work
The CSRH 16–24
RSE Standards Framework
We are building a national framework in three stages, from evidence and research, through standards development, to implementation and measurable impact in post-16 education settings across England.
Evidence & Research
Building our evidence base
Reviewing public health surveillance data, existing RSE provision, and current clinical guidance to establish what a national standard needs to address and where the gaps are.
- STI and sexual health outcome data analysis
- Landscape review of current post-16 RSE provision
- Clinical and public health guidance synthesis
Standards Development
Defining what good looks like
Co-developing evidence backed standards with educators, students, and public health professionals. Defining a national baseline for post-16 RSE content and delivery.
- National standards for 16-24 RSE content
- Curriculum and delivery guidance
- Stakeholder consultation
Implementation & Impact
Measuring what changes
Supporting post-16 institutions in implementing the framework, with assessment tools and monitoring indicators to track measurable changes in learner knowledge and confidence.
- Implementation toolkit for institutions
- Assessment and benchmarking tools
- Impact measurement against health outcomes
“This variability is associated with gaps in knowledge and confidence, and can affect learners’ comfort in engaging with sexual health services, recognising risk, and seeking timely testing.”
Get involved
Framework in development
Whether you’re an educator, student, institution, or public health professional, we welcome enquiries and collaboration at every phase of our development.
Educators & institutions
If you work in a post-16 education setting and are interested in piloting or providing feedback on the standards framework, get in contact with us.
Public health professionals
We welcome collaboration with local authorities, NHS trusts, and health protection teams working on sexual health outcomes for young people.
Students & graduates
Your experience of RSE provision shapes our work. We want to hear from students and graduates about what good sexual health education looks like in practice.