Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

References for research and evidence

GGC - Sexual Health - Young People

(1) WHO Regional Office for Europe and BZgA, 2010. Standards for sexuality education in Europe: a framework for policy makers, educational and health authorities and specialists. Federal Centre for Health Education, BZgA.

(2) Ofcom, 2022. Children and parents: media use and attitudes report 2022. Ofcom.

(3) Children's Commissioner, 2023. ‘A lot of it is actually just abuse': young people and pornography. Children’s Commissioner for England.

(4) National Research Council; Institute of Medicine, 2000. Sleep needs, patterns, and difficulties of adolescents: summary of a workshop. The National Academies Press.

(5) World Health Organization, 2006. Defining sexual health: report of a technical consultation on sexual health, 28-31 January 2002. Geneva: WHO. (see page 5)

(6) Allik M, Brown D, Taylor Browne Lūka C, et al., 2021. Cohort profile: The ‘Children’s Health in Care in Scotland’ (CHiCS) study—a longitudinal dataset to compare health outcomes for care experienced children and general population children. BMJ Open 2021;11:e054664.

(7) Bentley, H. et al. (NSPCC Learning), 2020 How safe are our children? : an overview of data on adolescent abuse. London: NSPCC.

(8) Sex Education Forum & Fostering Network. Start talking: relationships and sex education - a guide for foster care.

(9) World Health Organisation, 2023. Gender.

(10) LGBT Youth Scotland. Trans non-binary and questioning coming out guide for young people.