• guidelines
• STIs
• children
• adolescents

The Children Act 1989¹ defines a child as “a person who has not yet reached 18 years of age.” In England, Wales, and Scotland the present age of consent for heterosexual and homosexual sex is 16 years and in Northern Ireland it is 17 years. The proportion of young people who report heterosexual intercourse before the age of 16 years increased in the 1990s compared with the previous decade.²

Although children under 16 years may be involved in consensual sexual activity other issues need to be considered including:

• Risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI)

• Past and continuing sexual abuse/assault

• Undiagnosed mental health problems including self harm, eating disorders, alcohol and substance misuse

• Risk of or involvement in prostitution/commercial sex work

• Vulnerability of those living away from home/accommodated by the local authority

• Vulnerability of those with physical and/or learning disabilities irrespective of age.

In these guidelines, children under the age of 18 years will be referred to as “young people.” The guidelines are primarily directed at the management and care of young people under the age of 16 years but those aged over 16 years may require the same consideration of the factors listed above.