Councils deliver new strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy » Local Government » 24dash.com

Two Beacon local authorities have developed new strategies to combat rising teenage pregnancy levels in their communities.

Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, are meeting national targets to reduce teen pregnancy levels by changing the way information, services and advice are delivered to teenagers.

Trevor Hopkins, who works for the Improvement and Development Agency’s Healthy Communities Team as a Principal Consultant said: "One of the key aspects to the impressive work of both councils has been their ability to engage with young people and ensure services for young people actually get to young people."

"For example, if a sexual health clinic was open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, it was unlikely a teenager would be able to access the service, because they would be at school at the same time. So the service delivery was changed, to be more compatible with teenagers – morning clinics, or clinics incorporated in schools."

"We owe it to young people to ensure information they need to make informed decisions is available to them in a format and in places they feel comfortable with."

Gateshead and Rochdale both had significant concerns about the rate of teenage pregnancy in their communities.

At Rochdale, the rate of teenage pregnancy was significantly higher than the national average. While at Gateshead, despite a very effective programme of activities, particular concern surrounded the continuing high rates of pregnancy at Hookergate Comprehensive School.

In order to combat the trend in Rochdale, a Teenage Pregnancy Strategy was established. As local concern grew the council conducted a survey with students at local secondary schools in 2004. More than 2000 (78 per cent) students from Year 10 took part.

The survey found that students with low educational aspirations were more likely to participate in risk-taking behaviour. It found 50 per cent of males and 60 per cent of females having had sex.

A strategy was developed; and creative consultation days and showcase events were organised to get students thinking and talking more about the consequences of their actions. The strategy also helped to equip them with the skills to handle difficult situations.

At Gateshead, as well as high rates of teenage pregnancy, there were concerns about high levels of smoking among students.

The issues at the school were having an impact on the wider community as well. The council decided to step in and take action.

Among the strategies implemented was the establishment of a sexual health clinic and increased support and advice to try and reduce the number of female students falling pregnant.

Since the introduction of the clinic, Hookergate School has shown impressive improvements where students are safe and healthy and are making a positive contribution to their community. There has been a drop in the number of teenage pregnancies at the school as well.

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