Sexual Health Advisers support people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a wide range of sexual health concerns.
They provide information, emotional support, and practical advice to help patients understand their diagnosis and maintain good sexual health. This work is confidential, person‑centred and non‑judgemental.
About Us
The Society of Sexual Health Advisers (SSHA) is the UK’s national organisation for Sexual Health Advisers, representing around 200 members across the country.
We provide a professional community for networking, collaboration, and ongoing development within the field of sexual health.
SSHA is overseen by a National Organising Professional Committee of elected officers and regional representatives.
The Council meets four times a year to:
- Set professional standards
- Produce statements and guidance
- Lead working groups on key issues
- Support the development of the Sexual Health Advising profession
SSHA and Unite
SSHA is a professional section within Unite the Union. Through this partnership, members benefit from:
- Workplace support
- Representation on issues such as pay, terms and conditions
- Advice and assistance with grievances or employment concerns
This relationship strengthens our collective voice and ensures Sexual Health Advisers are supported both professionally and within their workplaces.
SSHA Conference 2026
Details announced – save the date! Friday 6th November 2026.
FAQs
The Role of the Sexual Health Adviser – Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Sexual Health Adviser (SHA) within UK services?
A Sexual Health Adviser is a specialist practitioner working within NHS-commissioned sexual health services, delivering public-health interventions, counselling, partner notification, safeguarding, and health promotion, in line with BASHH standards, UKHSA guidance, and local authority service specifications.
What is the SHA’s role in Partner Notification under UK guidance?
Sexual Health Advisers lead and coordinate partner notification in accordance with BASHH/SSHA partner notification standards, ensuring:
- A non-judgemental, patient-centred approach
- Use of provider, patient, or contract referral pathways
- Documentation and outcome monitoring
- Contribution to public-health surveillance and infection control
What safeguarding responsibilities do Sexual Health Advisers have?
Safeguarding is integral to the SHA role. Advisers:
- Conduct routine and targeted safeguarding risk assessments
- Identify risks such as coercion, exploitation, domestic abuse, or vulnerability
- Work within local safeguarding boards, NHS safeguarding policies, and statutory guidance
- Escalate concerns appropriately while maintaining patient trust
What public-health functions do SHAs perform?
In alignment with UKHSA priorities, SHAs:
- Contribute to infection prevention and control
- Support surveillance through accurate documentation
- Deliver targeted interventions to higher-risk populations
- Engage in outbreak response and health protection activity when required
How do SHAs meet confidentiality standards?
Yes. Health promotion is a core function, including:
- Education on prevention and wellbeing
- Outreach to underserved or high-risk communities
- Supporting behaviour change using recognised counselling approaches
This reflects NHS and local authority expectations for preventive, population-focused sexual health services.
How does the SHA role support health equity and inclusion?
Sexual Health Advisers work to:
- Reduce barriers to care
- Provide culturally competent, inclusive services
- Address stigma and discrimination
- Support individuals with complex social needs
This supports national priorities to reduce health inequalities across sexual health services.
What qualifications and training are expected in the UK?
Typically, SHAs have:
- A healthcare or relevant professional background (e.g. nursing, health advising, public health, social work)
- Specialist sexual health training
- Ongoing competency-based professional development
- Mandatory safeguarding, information governance, and equality training
This aligns with NHS workforce and governance standards.
How do SHAs work within multidisciplinary teams?
Sexual Health Advisers are core members of MDTs, collaborating with:
- Doctors and nurses
- Psychologists and counsellors
- Social care and safeguarding leads
- Public health professionals
This ensures holistic, patient-centred care, consistent with NHS integrated care principles.
What challenges does the role address within UK services?
Sexual Health Advisers manage:
- Increasing service demand
- Complex safeguarding presentations
- Psychosocial needs alongside clinical priorities
- Public-health pressures, including outbreaks and inequalities
Why is the SHA role essential to UK sexual health services?
The SHA role underpins:
- Effective infection control
- Safeguarding and risk reduction
- Patient engagement and retention
- Public-health outcomes and prevention
Without this role, services would struggle to meet UK sexual health service standards and population-health goals.