Social Work Curriculum: Preparation for Sexuality and Sexual Well-being Practice

Abstract Social work—an anti-oppressive, practice-based profession focused on social justice—supports people’s access to and ability create healthy lives. Therefore, workers should not only understand value a service user’s sexuality, but also be able competently navigate this area of practice. This mixed method study explored the role work education in preparing for practice sexual health settings. Forty-one Australian allied professionals participated survey, seven whom subsequent focus groups. A descriptive analysis surveys was conducted, inductive groups resulted five overarching themes. Theme 1: ‘Educational Journey’ absence content Work curricula, contrasting with rich learning from peers community members. 2: ‘Disease, Disaster Dysfunction’ highlighted that sexuality often framed through deficit lens their programmes. 3: ‘Placement/Practice Learning’ importance field 4: ‘Being “Askable”’ seen as essential. 5: ‘Barriers’ four sub-themes: (i) Curriculum, (ii) Medicalisation, (iii) Baggage (iv) Positioning. An overall recommendation is curricula must prepare students utilise well-being-informed more specifically askable. Further, implications research are discussed.