ABC Sessions
ABC is a tailored age and ability appropriate educational intervention for anyone aged 9 and above (no upper age limit) who has a learning disability or autism, and needs support and information around relationships, sex, sexual behaviours, sexual health and how to keep safe online or in the community. Depending on the needs and reason for the referral, participants can choose which sessions will be most beneficial. Sessions aim to give participants the information they need to be able to make their own informed choices and decisions moving forward. Please note that ABC should not be seen as a replacement for statutory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). The aim of ABC is to address gaps in knowledge and understanding, therefore a participant should have engaged in RSE in school or for older participants, they should have a basic understanding of relationships and sex.
ABC sessions work best when delivered to small groups or individuals.
We run groups for people from the same provision or open groups which people from different provisions can join. Open groups are online, and participants are allocated a place in the most appropriate group, considering availability, age, ability, behaviours, and other information provided in the referral. Groups work well for people who enjoy being around others and having the opportunity to talk about things with their peers.
1-1 sessions are better for people who find it difficult being around other people, want some privacy to discuss their situation or are unable to attend a group. Depending on age and circumstances 1-1 sessions can be face to face or online.
ABC sessions are free of charge for people who live in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough but there is a charge for people living outside of these areas. See Dhiverse Charges
Workshops for SEND
Secondary School
Our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) workshops have been designed in line with the Department for Education guidelines (2019-2020) and they have the support of Cambridgeshire’s PSHE Team.
We're currently giving our services and pricing a fresh look to make sure we're offering you the absolute best.
While we're working behind the scenes, you can still buy our lessons or we can still deliver workshops for you - see current offer
If you’d like to make a booking or you have any you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out to Marisol - education@dhiverse.org.uk
SEND Drop-ins
Secondary School
Our drop-in sessions are informal and give SEND students the opportunity to access support, information and signposting around e.g., relationships, sex, and sexual health, in a less formal and more confidential and relaxed environment than a lesson.
The facilitator will use a private room in your venue and will be available for an agreed time. Young people can drop in on their own or with a friend, at any time during the session, or they can pre-book an appointment if that works better for them.
We can provide ongoing support for the student, refer them to one of our specialist programmes or our counselling service, or signpost or refer them to an external organisation. We can provide information and condoms, if required. All support and information provided is always age appropriate.
For the cost of a drop-in session please see Dhiverse Charges.
Understanding ABC
Workshop
1 hour
The aims of ‘Understanding ABC’ are to give parents, carers, and professionals information about the ABC sessions and to help them understand why these sessions are important for people who have a learning disability or autism. We also spend time exploring the relationship and sexual needs of people who have a learning disability or autism and the barriers they might face when learning about these topics.
For anyone who would like a more in depth understanding of the relationship and sexual needs of people who have a learning disability or autism and how to engage in ongoing conversations and support around these issues, we run a half day charged workshop called ‘Talk the Talk.’
Understanding ABC is free of charge to anyone in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough but there is a charge for people living outside of these areas. See Dhiverse Charges
‘Talk the Talk’ SEND Workshop
A workshop for parents and professionals
3.5 hours
This workshop aims to equip professionals and parents who support people who have a learning disability (LD) or autism, with the skills, knowledge, and tools to communicate effectively around relationships, sex, sexual health and keeping safe online and in the community. We will explore:
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The relationship and sexual needs of people with a LD or autism, and their legal rights around relationships and sex
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Creating a safe environment to talk about relationships and sex
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The key topics related to relationships, sex, and sexual health and how to communicate around these topics
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Responding to challenging behaviour, including sexualised behaviours
and concerning sexual behaviours
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Managing the ‘difficult’ questions
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Recognising the barriers to people with a LD or autism establishing relationships
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Developing resources to help support people in these discussions
Counselling for Children & Young People
We can support children and young people aged 9 to 17 and aged 18 to 25 for young people who have a learning disability or autism, who are feeling anxious and overwhelmed by complicated feelings and unhelpful and confusing patterns of behaviour.
Our counsellors specialize in supporting children and young people who want to talk about issues such as Relationships and Sex, Sexual Behaviours, Sexual Health, Gender Identity, Sexuality, Sexual Trauma Sexual Health, and HIV. They are Level 4 or above qualified, or working towards this if they are trainees, and they are registered with a professional body.
We can provide a safe and relaxed space where children and young people will feel listened to and not judged and help them to make sense of things and understand themselves better.
We can provide counselling in schools, colleges, and other provisions or in another safe and confidential venue. Sessions are usually face to face but depending on the circumstances we can offer online sessions to young people aged 16 and above.
Counselling is free of charge to children and young people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough but there is a charge for children and young people outside of these areas. See Dhiverse Charges
If you would like to discuss a referral before completing the above form, please contact Lisa on 07983 150429 or at lisa@dhiverse.org.uk
Counselling for Adults aged 18+
Are you feeling anxious and overwhelmed by complicated feelings and unhelpful and confusing patterns of behaviour?
Would you like to talk to a professional who will listen but won’t judge and will help you to make sense of things and understand yourself better?
We can provide a safe and relaxed space for anyone aged 18+ to talk about: Relationships and Sex, Concerning Sexual Behaviours, Sexual Health, HIV, Gender Identity, Sexuality, Sexual Trauma.
We offer both faces to face and online sessions; whatever works best for you. Face-to-face sessions are available at different venues across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Our counsellors use an integrative approach. This approach considers the needs and circumstances of the individual and personalizes the counselling by using elements of different approaches to help you explore and cope with your problems.
Our counsellors are Level 4 or above qualified, or working towards this if they are trainees, and they are registered with a professional body.
Sessions are £25 each. Depending on your circumstances, we might be able to offer a reduced rate. The initial assessment session is free of charge.
If you would like to discuss a referral before completing the above form, please contact Lisa on 07983 150429 or at lisa@dhiverse.org.uk
Understanding
Sexualised Behaviours in Children and Young People
Understanding Sexualised Behaviours in Children and Young People [Understanding SLIP] is a workshop designed to support parents/carers, and/or professionals in navigating conversations about relationships and sex with young people.
If you are concerned that a child or teenager could be exposed to risky sexual behaviours* - online or face to face - then this workshop could provide the support you are looking for to help them understand the consequences of these behaviours and to help prevent them from engaging.
This course also explains the criteria for accessing the SLIP (Sex, the Law, Internet, and Pornography) intervention and how you can make a referral if this is something the young person is interested in.
*Risky behaviours include sending or viewing inappropriate and/or explicit images and content and inappropriate behaviours with or towards other people.
We can also deliver this workshop at your school or provision.
Understanding SLIP is free for parents and professionals in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough but if you live or work outside of the county, you can join a workshop for a charge - See Dhiverse charges
Email Marisol for more information - education@dhiverse.org.uk