PSHE Resources for schools

Schools across the UK are now mandatorily providing Personal Social Health and Economic (PSHE) education in key areas to support children’s development. A number of issues that are covered are aligned to areas of harm such as substance use, violence and exploitation which often utilise police resources such as Safer Schools Officers.

Thames Valley VRU has recognised the need to standardise and quality assure resources that are provided to schools and to make best use of officer support where available to ensure that we aren’t traumatising young people through the use of inappropriate material and graphic discussions.

In September 2020 we partnered with Thames Valley Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley to publish Dee’s Story. Dee’s Story is a programme of PSHE resources developed around the true account of a convicted County Drug Line offender exploring the issues of exploitation and showing young people how they can protect themselves and their friends. Dee’s Story is currently available to educators via our Resources page.

We’re now working directly with the PSHE Association, the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and The Loop to develop lesson plans on Substance use and harm reduction, using an evidence base to support young people to make better choices around drugs.

We’re also working with the PSHE Association and NPCC to develop lesson plans on Violence to show young people how they can deescalate incidents and help to keep themselves and their friends physically safe.

Both the Substance Use and Violence plans will be available to schools across the Thames Valley over the coming months and will be quality assured and fully endorsed by the PSHE Association.