Supported Loving
Supported Loving toolkit
Share this page
The Supported Loving network has produced a series of guides to help support people with issues surrounding sexuality and relationships.
Supported Loving is a human rights-based campaign, with associated network meetings, hosted by Choice Support. The network includes people with learning disabilities, autistic people, family members, and professionals from varied disciplines and sectors including social care, the NHS, sexual health professionals, trainers and educators, academics, students and psychologists. The Supported Loving toolkit has been created in the true collaborative spirit that embodies the network. 'Members' volunteered to write a section, using their expertise to help guide others. We hope you find the toolkit useful. Authors' details are included if you want further advice.
Disclaimer
The organisations and services listed in the Supported Loving toolkit are included to assist you and are provided in good faith. Their inclusion in the Supported Loving toolkit does not imply that Supported Loving nor Choice Support endorses or supports them, nor does the absence of any other organisations or services, who are not included, imply that Supported Loving and Choice Support does not support them.
Supported Loving and Choice Support cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss caused by any inaccuracy in the Supported Loving toolkit, or on linked sites/pages. Supported Loving and Choice Support cannot control and is not responsible for the privacy practices of any site to which a link is provided. It is recommended that you read the privacy policy of any site you visit, particularly if you are asked to give personal data.
Every care is taken to ensure that the information listed in the Supported Loving toolkit is accurate. If you discover any information which you believe to be inaccurate, please let us know.
Autistic Loving
Autistic loving- Supporting autistic people with relationships and sexuality: An awareness raising workshop for social care staff.
Read more
Aids and equipment
People have a right to support around their sexuality, which includes finding appropriate equipment and aids to facilitate sexual activities.
Read more
Capacity to engage in sexual relations
Here at Supported Loving, one of our most frequently discussed topics is mental capacity regarding sex. Staff are often uncertain about this topic and this page aims to provide clarity.
Read more
Challenging values, attitudes and organisational culture
It may be necessary to challenge attitudes towards the relationships of people who access support.
Read more
Contraception
Research shows there is need for clear accessible information and advice about contraception, and the need for inclusive sexual health services.
Read more
Domestic abuse
People with learning disabilities are three times more likely to experience domestic abuse, and in the last year alone it has happened to nearly one in every five people. [Office for National Statistics, 2021].
Read more
Harmful sexual behaviour
Adults and children with learning disabilities and/or autistic people can sometimes display harmful or abusive sexual behaviours.
Read more
Having conversations
Uh, oh. Someone wants to talk to you about sex and they're asking lots of awkward questions. What can you say?
Read more
Housing and supporting relationships
What do you do if a person with support needs wants to live with their partner, and this has an impact on their housing?
Read more
Masturbation
The following toolkit page explores the topic of masturbation and how to effectively support an individual to engage in this activity, safely and legally.
Read more
Online dating
When it comes to using the internet, technology or something like online dating, there should be a choice to use it or not, but choice should always be informed.
Read more
Pornography
Many adults enjoy viewing pornography, and most is legal to view. However, this page explores some of the challenges that may arise when supporting someone.
Read more
Rights vs risk
This toolkit page is about balancing the rights of individuals we support, to explore their intimate lives with the management of any associated risks.
Read more
Sex positive sexuality and relationships training
People with support needs have the same rights to have intimate, sexual and romantic relationships as anyone else, but often don’t have adequate support to ensure that they are able to exercise these rights.
Read more
Sexual rights
Sexual rights are human rights related to sexuality. These rights are often an under-acknowledged area of sexuality and relationship support, but are very important.
Read more
Sexual violence
This toolkit page is about sexual violence and how sexual violence can affect people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
Read more
Sexuality and gender identity
Everyone has the right to information about gender and sexuality and to get good support to express themselves.
Read more
Supporting relationships
Supported Loving is all about equipping staff to support people to enjoy close and intimate relationships.
Read more
Supporting people with severe or profound learning disabilities
People with severe learning disabilities and complex needs require lifelong learning and support in all areas of their lives, including relationships and sexuality education (RSE).
Read more
Staying safe in relationships
Developing relationships can be associated with risk factors. However, any risks should be balanced against the benefits and joys that relationships can bring.
Read more
Support to date
This page covers supporting people with learning disabilities to date, the challenges faced, and how to address them and provide the appropriate support needed.
Read more
Supporting friendships
Whilst Supported Loving mainly focusses on intimate relationships, we also recognise that friendship can be a stepping stone to romance.
Read more
Working with parents around relationships and sexuality
Few organisations have developed strategies to engage parents with relationships and sexuality support.
Read more
Writing a relationships and sexuality policy
Having a relationships and sexuality policy is an essential foundation for building responsive practices that meet regulatory, legal, and ethical standards.
Read more
Supported Loving blogs and publications
Supported Loving is attracting interest from many different people - read what they are saying in their blogs.
Read more
What is Supported Loving?
For some people finding love is often more than just chemistry – it can come down to getting the right support
Read more
Supported Loving network
Supported Loving is not a formal membership organisation. Anyone can take part, it is free.
Read more