Event Details

“Today's teenage pregnancy statistics are disappointing, although the reduction in the last quarter of 2007 over 2006 gives me cautious optimism that the drive to reduce teenage pregnancy conceptions is still on track. There is no doubt that rates have come down where local areas have implemented the strategy properly, even in deprived areas….Reducing teenage pregnancy requires everyone to play their part - parents, health, local authorities and schools. Where progress has slowed, efforts must be redoubled and we will be focusing our challenge on those areas with high and increasing rates.”
— Rt Hon Beverly Hughes MP, Minister for Children, Families & Young People, 26 February 2009

“Today's challenging figures clearly show that all local areas have to stop the excuses and get on with providing contraceptive services and sex and relationship education for all young people, including the under-16s.”
— Gill Frances, Chair, Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group, 26 February 2009

Overview

After several years of encouraging progress indicating that teenage pregnancy rates were the lowest they have been in over two decades, the latest statistics released by the National Audit Office confirmed a rise in conception rates nationally in 2007. Acknowledging the disappointing figures, the Government has pledged an extra £20.5m to bolster the delivery of the long-term Teenage Pregnancy Strategy and to address inadequate support and access to contraception for teenagers. The new package of measures include:

• £7m for a new ‘contraceptive choices’ media campaign to raise awareness of the different options available to young people
• £10m for local health services to ensure contraception is available in the right places at the right time
• £1m to support FE colleges develop & expand on-site contraception & sexual health services

What is clear from the latest statistics is that whilst many areas are consistently delivering significant reductions in teenage pregnancy rates, there are still areas that continue to demonstrate little or no progress. The Government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is clearly having a positive effect in many communities, but how can we reach out to young people in those areas where progress is not being made?

The Second Annual Sexual Health and Young People Symposium, hosted by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, offers a timely opportunity for local practitioners and stakeholders to examine the Government’s latest package of measures and assess their impact on teenage pregnancy strategies at the local level. Some of the key themes to be addressed include:

• Delivering Effective PSHE and SRE in schools
• Improving Support and Access to Contraceptive Services
• Workforce Development, Training and Multi-Agency Working

Delegates will have the opportunity to debate, share good practice and network with colleagues from across the local authority, teenage pregnancy/sexual health services, education and government landscape.

Programme

Who Should Attend?

• Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinators
• Sexual Health Strategy Co-ordinators
• Local, Regional & National Health Services
• Sexual Health Treatment/Advisory Services
• Teachers & Senior Schools/Colleges Staff
• Counselling Services
• Sexual Health Support and Outreach Services
• Connexions
• Local Authority Education & Children’s Services
• Health Promotion Advisers
• School Nurses & Health Visitors
• Child & Education Psychologists
• Family Planning Specialists
• Looked After/Children in Care Officers
• Drug and Alcohol Action Teams
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
• GUM Clinics
• Social Care Professionals
• Child Protection Officers
• Police Service
• Central Government Departments and Agencies
• Third Sector Representatives
• Academics