Events > 3rd Annual Sexual Health & Young People Symposium: The Next Steps in the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy

Event Details

Title:

3rd Annual Sexual Health & Young People Symposium: The Next Steps in the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy

Date:

Tuesday 15th June 2010

Time:

10.00am – 4.45pm

Venue:

The Guoman Charing Cross Hotel, The Strand, London

“ For a variety of reasons – lack of knowledge, lack of confidence to resist pressure, poor access to advice and support, low aspirations – around 40,000 young women become pregnant each year. Around three quarters of those pregnancies are unplanned and half end in an abortion – an outcome we all want to avoid. For conceptions that end in a birth, there are often costs too – poorer child health outcomes, poor maternal emotional health and well being, and increased chances of both teenage parents and their children living in poverty. These all contribute to health inequalities and child poverty...”
— ‘Teenage Pregnancy Strategy: Beyond 2010’, February 2010

“ …There is strong consensus around the need for SRE and CASH services for young people. The teenage pregnancy rate has resumed its downward trend and many areas have achieved significant reductions. These successes stem from the hard work of many people in many services across the country. We commend them, thank them and ask that they redouble their efforts so we can reduce rates in a more consistent way nationwide. Our challenge now is to seize the opportunity to make the Strategy even more effective and relevant beyond 2010 and it can be done…”
— Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group Annual Report 2008/09

Overview

Following the disappointing rise in teenage pregnancy figures last summer, latest statistics indicate a positive 13.3 per cent fall in the teenage conception rate since the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy started in 1999. Although the latest figures are encouraging, it is clear that much more must be done to meet the 2010 target. Whilst many areas are consistently delivering significant reductions in teenage pregnancy rates, there are still areas that continue to demonstrate little or no progress, with inconsistent sexual health services and patchy delivery of SRE.

The latest TPIAG report stresses the importance of empowering young people, providing them with the skills, means and confidence to make good decisions regarding their sexual health, through accessible and targeted sexual health services, comprehensive SRE and open dialogue with parents. The report also highlights the need for a consistent and co-ordinated approach to the early identification of vulnerable young people at risk of teenage pregnancy, alongside better joined up working across Teenage Pregnancy Partnerships, in order to ensure effective links are made with safeguarding, sexual health, and alcohol and substance misuse.

With the first stage of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy coming to a close, the 3rd Annual Sexual Health and Young People Symposium offers a timely opportunity for local practitioners and stakeholders to assess the progress made in tackling teenage pregnancy and consider how best to move forward beyond the 2010 target, retaining momentum and reinvigorating local strategies. The symposium will examine how to improve partnership working across all sectors, utilising the CAF and improving CASH services, in order to identify and support young people at risk of teenage pregnancy and those hard to reach, particularly boys. Delegates will also discuss how to provide all young people with the skills and confidence to challenge peer pressure, avoid risky behaviour and understand the influence of media, advertising and pornography on sexual behaviour. Delegates will have the opportunity to debate, network and share innovative best practice with colleagues across the sexual health and teenage pregnancy sector.

Programme

09:15

Registration & Morning Refreshments

10:00

Chair's Welcome & Introduction

Professor Roger Ingham, Director, Centre for Sexual Health Research, University of Southampton (confirmed)

10:15

The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy: The Next Steps

Beyond the 2010 Target – Progress Made, Challenges to Face, Strengthening Local Strategies
Up-Skilling the Workforce – Improving Leadership and Training, Extending Multi-Agency Working and Joint Commissioning

Amy Danahay, Respect Yourself Campaign Manager, Warwickshrie Council (confirmed)
Kerry Clarke, Commissioner for Teenage Pregnancy, Brighton and Hove (confirmed)

11:00

Morning Coffee Break

11:15

Panel Session One:
Improving Sexual Health – Empowering Young People to Make Informed Choices

Shaping and Delivering Effective SRE – Responding to the Needs of Young People and Supporting Parents
Providing Young People with the Skills and Confidence to Make Good Decisions and Challenge Peer Pressure
Empowering Young People to Recognise and Understand the Influence of Media, Advertising and Pornography
Alcohol, Substance Misuse and Risky Behaviour

Anna Martinez, Coordinator, Sex Education Forum (confirmed)
Richard Piggin Deputy Director, Beatbullying (confirmed)
Trefor Lloyd, Director, Boys Development Project (confirmed)

12:00

Open Discussion & Debate with Panel One

13:00

Networking Lunch

14:00

Panel Session Two:
Reducing Teenage Pregnancy and STI Rates – Targeting Vulnerable and Hard to Reach Groups

Utilising the CAF Across All Sectors to Better Identify & Support Young People at Risk
Targeting Boys – Addressing Stigma and Gender Stereotypes
Improving Access to and Effective Use of Contraception – Providing Consistent, Tailored and Innovative CASH Services
Preventing Repeat Conceptions

Gill Frances OBE, Chair, Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group (confirmed)
Julie Bentley, Chief Executive, Fpa (Family Planning Association) (confirmed)
Bryan Teixeira, Chief Executive, Naz Project (confirmed)