Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Read the FAQs

We answer the frequently-asked questions about SSHA and the role of the UK Sexual Health Adviser. If there is something we have not yet covered then please get in touch and let us know.

SSHA - Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

The Society of Sexual Health Advisers (SSHA) is the UK’s national organisation for Sexual Health Advisers, representing around 200 members across the country.

It provides a professional community for networking, collaboration, education, and ongoing professional development within the field of sexual health.

SSHA supports members through its Annual Conference, Study Days held throughout the year, and a Member Newsletter published three times annually. These activities help members stay informed of current developments, share best practice, and expand their professional knowledge.

SSHA works closely with many Sexual Health and HIV organisations (see Resources) but has two key partners:

  1. BASHH (British Association for Sexual Health and HIV), the UK’s leading multidisciplinary sexual health organisation.
  2. Unite the Union, where SSHA operates as a professional section, providing members with workplace support, representation, and advice on employment-related matters.

Through SSHA’s partnership with Unite the Union, members can access:

  • Workplace support
  • Representation on pay, terms, and conditions
  • Advice and assistance with grievances and employment concerns

This partnership helps strengthen the professional voice of Sexual Health Advisers while supporting members in the workplace.

SSHA is overseen by the National Organising Professional Committee (OPC), made up of elected officers and regional representatives from across the UK.

The committee meets four times a year to set professional standards, produce guidance, lead working groups, and support the development of the profession.

Members interested in becoming a Regional Representative are encouraged to contact Ceri Evans for more information.

Joining SSHA

Frequently Asked Questions

By joining SSHA, you become part of Unite, Britain’s largest union representing around 2 million skilled and professional workers. Unite provides advice, guidance, and representation in all aspects of your working life, including negotiating employment conditions and supporting your career development.

SSHA brings together around 200 Sexual Health Advisers. As a strong collective voice, members can influence the direction of the profession at clinic, regional, and national levels, while also accessing training, workshops, and conferences.

Members receive access to the latest research, policy updates, and clinical guidance, ensuring they provide accurate, evidence-based advice and care to patients. They also receive the SSHA Newsletter three times a year, full of interesting articles and innovative and challenging ideas.

Yes. Membership offers valuable networking opportunities, connecting you with sexual health professionals across the UK to share experiences, knowledge, and best practice.

Yes. Many regions host regular SSHA meetings, helping reduce professional isolation and offering opportunities to hear from guest speakers and discuss current topics in sexual health. Check out your regional SSHA rep National Organising Professional Committee

Membership includes Unite’s Contingent Medical Malpractice Cover (CMM), providing protection if a claim is made against you in relation to your professional duties.

The annual conference is a key professional event, featuring presentations (often led by Sexual Health Advisers) and workshops on topics relevant to the role. It is an excellent opportunity for learning and networking. See SSHA Conference – Society of Sexual Health Advisers SSHA members get a discounted rate.

Conference

SSHA Conference 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions

  • Friday, November 6th, 2026
  • 9.00 – 16.30

Although it is aimed at Sexual Health Advisers and nurses, we welcome anyone from sexual health or related fields.

We have decided to hold the conference online because it means that people can attend from anywhere in the UK (or the World!) without having travel to London. Depending on feedback, we may look at having a future conference in-person.

  • SSHA/BASHH Members: £75
  • Non-members £140

Some bursaries are available – please see link for details.

It is a fantastic opportunity to:

  • Learn more about the changing role of Sexual Health Advisers
  • Attend sessions on Motivational Interviewing and Vicarious Trauma
  • Hear the views and experiences of colleagues nationwide

Role of the SHA

The Role of the Sexual Health Adviser – Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sexual Health Advisers manage:

  • Increasing service demand
  • Complex safeguarding presentations
  • Psychosocial needs alongside clinical priorities
  • Public-health pressures, including outbreaks and inequalities

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.