The young people's sexual behaviours mapping tool

Developed by Dr Sophie King-Hill through a series of interrelated research projects between 2021 and 2025, the tool reflects the lived realities of adolescents and the complexities professionals face when navigating sensitive, developmentally nuanced issues. It is grounded in a rights based, participatory approach that places young people at the centre of assessment, planning and decision making.

Sexual behaviour in adolescence is not static or easily categorised. It exists on a spectrum, from developmentally typical exploration to , problematic and harmful behaviours and is shaped by a range of internal and external intersecting influences. These include individual development, peer dynamics, family relationships, cultural norms, digital environments and broader societal factors.

The YSB-MT:

• recognises that understanding and responding to sexual behaviour requires more than behavioural categorisation; it demands a holistic, context-sensitive lens that accounts for the complexity of adolescent development and the environments in which young people live.
• is grounded in a rights based, trauma informed and contextual approach to understanding sexual behaviours in adolescence. It recognises that sexual development is influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, social and cultural factors and that behaviours must be interpreted within the young person’s lived reality.

This guidance encourages professionals to move beyond simplistic or pathologising interpretations, instead fostering nuanced assessments that consider consent, power dynamics, developmental appropriateness and the impact of external influences such as peer norms, online environments and previous experiences of harm. By embedding reflective practice and promoting collaborative decision making, the tool supports professionals in making proportionate, ethical and evidence informed responses that prioritise the well-being and rights of young people.