Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)
Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is now compulsory for all schools, and we want teaching staff to be equipped with the qualifications and resources to deliver this essential subject effectively within the broader curriculum.
It has never been more important to support your pupils’ wellbeing and understanding of healthy relationships.
Delivering a structured programme of RSHE using our qualifications can help you to meet Ofsted expectations in line with the education inspection framework (EIF). It will also give your pupils valuable recognition of their achievements in this subject area.
New statutory guidance for RSHE
In September 2025, new RSHE curriculum guidance was released in September 2026, replacing the 2019 version. The new guidance modernises and strengthens existing content while introducing new topics to the curriculum.
NCFE have updated our suite of RSHE qualifications to reflect the new guidance. The scale of the content changes meant new qualifications were developed instead of redeveloping the existing suite. These new qualifications will be launched 30th September 2026.
To prevent duplication and confusion, the old RSHE qualification suite will be withdrawn, with date of last registration being 16th October 2026.
Read our guide to the new RSHE guidance and the changes from September 2026.
How can it be delivered in the classroom?
Split into five units, each designed to meet the needs of a specific year group, the qualifications cover all of the key topics and themes that need to be taught from Year 7 through to Year 11.
Coming September 2026
NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) (610/7958/3)
NCFE CACHE Level 2 Award in Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) (610/7959/5)
NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) (610/7960/1)
Registration and Certification Fee: £33
Our RSHE qualifications come with a full scheme of work for each unit, plus sample workbooks so that you have everything you need to help increase your pupils’ understanding and awareness in this vital subject.
We’ve also partnered with iAchieve, so you can purchase high-quality resources to support your delivery.
Speak to our team
The Sex Education Forum was delighted to work with NCFE on the development of the RSHE suite of qualifications to help ensure that schools are able to meet the full breadth of learning stipulated in the government guidance.
RSHE - a guide for parents
Download this handy guide that covers your rights as a parent, compulsory RSHE content, the content of sex education and much more.
Supporting SEND learners
SEND learners may be more vulnerable to the specific challenges RSHE can help to address. Meadowcroft School works specifically with SEND learners and is using our RSHE qualifications to ensure its young learners can build happy and healthy lives, inside and outside of the classroom.
Is your school ready for RSHE?
High quality PSHE provision in school, which now includes RSHE, has been shown to have a positive effect on learner wellbeing and academic attainment during school and over the rest of their lives. Jan Lever, Director of Jigsaw PSHE, gives her advice on teaching compulsory RSHE.