Work

“For Sustained Change, We Need Everyone on Board”: Australian Outsourced Provider Perspectives on Relationships and Sexuality Education for Young People

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: (1) Schools often rely on outsourced providers to deliver relationships and sexuality education (RSE) to young people. However, there is limited research that has focused on outsourced provider practices and perceptions of RSE, particularly as it relates to sexual violence prevention. (2) The current qualitative study interviewed 15 outsourced providers in Australia to glean their perspectives on the effective features of, and barriers to the implementation of, RSE for young people, with a focus on sexual violence prevention. (3) Through a reflexive thematic analysis, we found that outsourced providers valued a whole-of-school approach to RSE and advocated for content on pornography literacy. They raised conservative gatekeeping, precarious funding, and limited time as key implementation barriers. The findings also highlighted inconsistent views and approaches to RSE among outsourced providers, with questions surrounding who should deliver RSE, which theoretical framework underpins their work, and whether to take a gendered approach. (4) Implications for educators, policymakers, and young people are discussed.

Source: Youth

DOI: 10.3390/youth5010014

Authors: Sarah Vrankovich, Gemma Hamilton, Anastasia Powell

Institutions: La Trobe University, RMIT University

Language: English

Topic: Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Gender equality, Good health and well-being, Quality education, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207