The Essex Sexual Health Service Outreach and Education Team have asked us to share details on some up-coming free training that they are offering to parents and carers.

 

The role of parents and carers in the development of their children’s understanding about relationships and sexual health is vital. Children and young people themselves are also clear that they want to talk to their parents and carers about sex and relationships, but many parents and carers feel they lack the skills, confidence and knowledge to have these conversations. 

 

They recognise these challenges, and so to support parents and carers in Essex to have these conversations, we are running the following free online training sessions:

 

Free virtual awareness sessions 

 

CEOP: The Dark Web

Date: Thursday 29th January, 8pm to 9pm

Who is this training for: parents, carers, and anyone working with young people in Essex

Details about the training: “Are you looking for ways to build awareness of what the Dark Web is, understand why young people might access it, and gain a basic understanding of the risks involved?”

In this free 1 hour online session delivered by Essex Sexual Health Service, we explore what the Dark Web is, how it differs from the Deep Web and Open Web, and the ways it can be accessed. The session helps parents and carers understand why young people might be drawn to the Dark Web, the risks involved, and what steps to take if a young person has already accessed it. It also provides practical guidance on talking to young people about online safety.

Delivered by a CEOP Ambassador for Essex Sexual Health Service.

The session is available to parents and carers living in Essex, or if their young person attends a school in Essex (excluding Thurrock and Southend) and will also include an overview of support that is available in Essex.

Register your free place by clicking here. 

 

Talking to young people about relationships

Date: Tuesday 10th February 2026, 8pm to 9:30pm

Who is this training for: parents and carers of young people in Essex.

Details about the training: “Are you seeking guidance on how to help young people recognise the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships, and how to engage in open, informed conversations with them to support them to have healthy, positive relationships in today's world?"

In this free online session delivered by Essex Sexual Health Service, we explore how parents and carers can support young people in recognising healthy and unhealthy relationships, including warning signs of abuse and harmful behaviours both online and offline. The session provides practical resources and tools for having open conversations and supporting young people through relationship challenges. It also signposts to national and local support services for those experiencing unhealthy relationships and/or domestic abuse.

The session is available to parents and carers living in Essex, or if their young person attends a school in Essex (excluding Thurrock and Southend) and will also include an overview of support that is available in Essex.

Register your free place by clicking here. 

 

Free resources

 

There are free resources and materials available on our Essex Sexual Health Service parents and carers portal. Resources including videos on a variety of subjects containing different ideas and approaches to initiating conversations. We encourage all those who work with parents and carers to share the details about our parents and carers portal, thank you in advance. 

 

For further information on the other services Essex Sexual Health Service Outreach and Education Team offer to support young people in Essex around their sexual health please click here.

 

Kind Regards

 

Essex Sexual Health Service

Outreach and Education Team