Education in human relationships : the case for people with mental handicap

Abstract

HUMAN relationships teaching within health educa tion is explored in the context of providing services for people with mental handicap. The paper consid ers social policy and previous research and bases its findings on interviews with teachers from special schools within the Lincolnshire area. These data suggest that sex, health, and social education are recognised as important by teachers, but more guidance is needed. Programmes in schools are unsystematic and seen as unco-ordinated by teach ing staff. There is an argument for inter-agency collaboration, staff training that recognises human relations concepts, and the introduction of specialist workers into schools to develop this area. Human relationships education is important in enabling mentally handicapped people to survive indepen dently within the community.