Lincolnshire tackles teenage pregnancies

Lincolnshire is bucking the national trend in reducing under-18 conceptions by 31% through a number of successful sex education initiatives.

A Government report claims that sex education is failing to control spiralling teenage pregnancies, but Lincolnshire is outstripping national figures which has seen only an 11% decrease overall. Lincolnshire is recognised as having the highest decrease in teenage pregnancies in the East Midlands.

The County Council’s Tackling Teenage Pregnancy team have has led a county-wide strategy to reduce numbers of teenage conceptions, while Lincolnshire’s Youth Cabinet has made improving Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) one of their key priorities. The County Council has also dedicated resources to improve how Lincolnshire schools deliver SRE.

Councillor Mrs Christine Talbot, Executive Councillor for Secondary Education and Healthier Communities, said: “Delivering effective SRE is one of the key factors which needs to be in place to reduce teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted rates amongst young people.

"There are examples of excellent practice in our schools and we need to build on this and the work of our Tackling Teenage Pregnancy team to ensure young people are getting the information and advice they need.”

“At a time when national trends are being called into question, it is pleasing to see that the good proactive work here in Lincolnshire is making a difference and having a positive effect.”