Attitudes. People with learning disabilities are viewed as ‘asexual’ or like children. People’s sexual rights are not understood or respected.

Limited information and training made available to people with learning disabilities, staff and family members. Sex education for people with learning disabilities is very patchy is terms of scope and quality.

Practical difficulties, such as supporting people to meet others, a lack of privacy and challenges around transport to get to places.

Confusion about the law and policy. In particular, people are unsure about whether a person with learning disabilities can consent to being in a relationship or have sex.

Concerns about risk. Families and services understandably want to protect people from getting into harmful or abusive relationships. But sometimes this focus on risk means that people miss out on opportunities to be in good relationships.