Preparing for adulthood: Relationships
Developing healthy relationships is an important part of growing up, but for young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), it can present unique challenges. As a parent, your support and guidance play a crucial role. Talk with your young person about healthy relationships and what they include:
- Good communication – talking openly to their partner about things without feeling scared of what might happen or being judged for what they have said.
- Mutual respect – listening and respecting each other’s boundaries. Nobody should be made to feel uncomfortable, scared or humiliated.
- Trust – Trusting each other without getting jealous, including being able to spend time with other people.
- Honesty – Being able to say what they think and feel without worrying what might happen.
- Equality – Nobody in a relationship should have power over the other person, and it’s never okay for someone to force them to do something.
- Being themselves – Doing things they enjoy and spending time with friends and family outside of the relationship.
Your young person can read more about relationships at Bromley’s Local Offer for Young People.