Inclusion - Teenage Pregnancy

Education (Schools)

The Social Exclusion Report on Teenage Pregnancy (June 1999) stated that Britain had the worst record of teenage Pregnancies in Europe with approximately 90,000 teenagers becoming pregnant every year. Every part of the country is affected, but the situation is worst in the poorest areas. The report highlighted two main goals:

For information email: gillian.hartland@wolvespct.nhs.uk

Reducing the rate of teenage conceptions, with the specific aim of halving the rate of conceptions among under 18s by 2010
Getting more teenage parents into education, training or employment, to reduce the risk of long term social exclusion

The Teenage Pregnancy Unit, a cross-Government unit located within the Department of Health, was set up to implement the Report.

A National Action Plan was developed which included:

A national campaign to improve understanding and change behaviour
Joined Up action - through the national unit and local co-ordination
Better Prevention - better education in and out of school, access to contraception, targeting at-risk groups such as youth offenders
Better Support for Teenage Parents - around education, childcare and housing

Wolverhampton Teenage Pregnancy Strategy

Although rates in Wolverhampton have been declining steadily in recent years, the City has a high rate and therefore developed a ten year strategy and action plan, in line with government requirements.

Wolverhampton Action Plan:

Information on Wolverhampton Teenage Pregnancy Strategy can be obtained from lorraine.brown@wolvespct.nhs.uk

Teenage Conception Rates - Wolverhampton

Between 1998 and 2004 the under 18 conception rate in Wolverhampton fell by 8.3%.

For Wolverhampton, the targets set by the Teenage Pregnancy Unit are:

55% reduction by 2010 from 1998

Resources available from the Teenage Pregnancy Team

Training for professionals and additional work with young people is available from the Teenage Pregnancy Unit.

Contact: sue.wheatcroft@wolvespct.nhs.uk

For more information about specific Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) prevention work in schools please see the SRE page.