Teenage Pregnancy

The Teenage pregnancy target is the fourth of five indicators in the Public Service Agreement, 14: Increase the number of children and young people on the path to success: October 2007. The indicators are:

1. Indicator 1: Reduce the percentage of 16-18 years olds not in education, employment or training (NEET)
2. Indicator 2: More Participation in Positive Activities
3. Indicator 3: Reduce the proportion of young people frequently using illicit drugs, alcohol or volatile substances
4. Indicator 4: Reduce the under 18 conception rate
5. Indicator 5: Reduce the number of first time entrants to the criminal justice system aged 10-17.

The targets are:

• To halve the under 18 conception rate by 2010 – a renewed PSA for 2008-2011 (baseline year 1998) a jointly owned target Department of Health and division of Children, Schools & Families
• Improve the health and social outcomes for teenage parents and their children, with a goal of 60% of 16-19 year old mothers in education, employment or training (EET) by 2010. 
• The Local Government National Indicator Set includes teenage conception reduction (112) and there is an indicator for Chlamydia prevalence in the under 20 year olds (113)

Regional Strategy:  A teenage pregnancy regional coordinator works with any professionals involved in meeting the target. furthermore there are local teenage pregnancy coordinators in each London borough. 

In London between 1998 and 2005, there has been a 9.9% reduction in teenage conceptions.  This was below the target at this time which was a reduction of 25% half way through the strategy.  Reducing teenage conceptions remains a challenge in the region.

Local Implemenation: Evidence has highlighted that there are key characteristics to the successful implementation of a local teenage pregnancy strategy: 

• Strategic commitment: this needs to be at least at Head of Service and Assistant Director level.
• Strong use of data to inform the work, using both the national and local proxy data.
• Communication: both reactive & proactive media responses as well as signposting young people, parents/carers and professional to local young people’s services.
• Sex, Relationship Education in and out of schools that is more than biology and includes supporting young people to make informed healthy choices.
• Contraceptive Services that are young people friendly.
• Youth work: Things for young people to do & places to go
• Support for parents to help then to discuss sex and relationships with their young people.
• Building self esteem in young people.
• Work force training: to train the work force in the skills to discuss sex and relationships with young people.

The strategies should be targeted at those young people at highest risk of early risk taking activity.

The teenage pregnancy strategy, supports and relates primarily to “Make a positive contribution” and “Be Healthy” however the strategy also links to all the five outcomes, both for the young people who conceive but also for the children of teenage parents.

There is more information on Teenage Pregnancy under the Resources Centre section of this website