Teenage Pregnancy Topic Group Scrutiny Seminar

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Teenage Pregnancy Topic Group Scrutiny Seminar
National overview including targets and
trends Sue Beck 18 May 2006
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Teenage Pregnancy Strategy

• 10 year strategy, produced by Social Exclusion
  Unit
• and launched by the Prime Minister in 1999

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National Targets

• To halve the under 18 conception rate by 2010
  (with an
• interim target of 15 reduction by 2004) and
  establish
• a downward trend in the under 16 rate
• Increase participation of teenage mothers in
  education,
• training, employment to 60 by 2010 to
  reduce their
• long term risk of social exclusion

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Causes of Teenage Pregnancy

• No single explanation but 3 factors stand out
• Low expectations
• Ignorance
• Mixed Messages

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Risk Factors for Teenage Pregnancy

• Poverty
• Children who are Looked After or Leaving Care
• Children of teenage mothers
• Educational problems
• Not in education, training or work post 16
• Sexual abuse
• Mental Health problems
• Crime

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Key Elements to National Strategy

• Local co-ordination
• Media
• Better prevention
• Better contraceptive services
• Support for young parents

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Under 18 Conception Rate (15-17 yrs)for England
1998-2004
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Under 18 Conception Rate for England 1998-2004
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Under 16 Conception Rate (13-15 yrs) in England
1998-2004
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Under 16 Conception Rate for England 1998-2004
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Other National Drivers

• NHS Plan
• Change for Children Every Child Matters
• National Service Framework for Children, Young
  People
• and Maternity Services
• Sexual Health and HIV Strategy
• Choosing Health
• Extended Schools
• Early Years Strategy
• Children Centres
• Supporting People

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Related Performance Indicators

• Teenage Pregnancy cuts across all five Every
  Child
• Matters outcomes e.g.
• The DH PSA to reduce the rate of infant
  mortality by
• 10 by 2010 (being healthy)
• The DfES PSA to reduce the proportion of
  children
• living in households where no one is working
  by 2008
• (economic well being)

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Examples of National Initiatives

• Policy Development
• Sexwise advice helpline for young people 0800
  28 29 30
• Website www.ruthinking.co.uk
• Care to Learn
• Work on delaying first sex
• Supporting Parents Time to Talk
• Want Respect campaign