Agenda item

a)            Report of the Interim Director of Public Health

b)            Presentation by Portfolio Lead in Public Health

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Children and Adult Services which provided an update on local plans and progress to reduce under 18 conceptions and unplanned teenage pregnancies (for copy see file of minutes).

Members received a presentation from Portfolio Lead for Public Health, (for copy see file of minutes) which gave an overview on the need to reduce teenage conceptions, an update on the current U16 and U18 conception rate, a summary of the findings from the teenage pregnancy HNA 2015 and six key actions to reduce teenage conceptions in County Durham.

Members were advised that the information regarding the reduction of both under 18 and under 16 conceptions in County Durham related to 2014 and this was due to a data time lag. 

Councillor Hart referred to a time when there was significantly high rate of teenage pregnancy in Newcastle which had required government intervention and following the setup of a Teenage Pregnancy Unit, the figures had reduced by 51%.  The reduction had been in conjunction with a rise in sex education and there was always a worry that there would be another influx of unplanned teenage pregnancy if the measures in place were relaxed.  The Portfolio Lead in Public Health confirmed that even when considering reductions in budgets, teenage pregnancy was a priority and would continue to be monitored.  It was important that Schools and School Nurses continued to identify and support young people who may need it.  There was also a lot of support for teenage parents who were being encouraged to pursue aspirations.  There was funding available for 16-19 year olds and she referred to the Care to Learn scheme and the Teen Parents Support Programme which was a 20 week course to develop skills and knowledge such as self-esteem and confidence, sexual health awareness and money management.  The programme had been successful enough to be nominated for a national award, however funding was non-recurrent which was a continued concern.

Councillor Gunn referred to the importance of childcare for young people and referred to the recently appointed shadow education secretary who, having been pregnant at 16 years old with no qualifications was an inspiration to young teenagers in the same situation.  The shadow secretary had publically credited Sure Start for helping her to overcome the difficulties she had faced being a teenage parent.  The Portfolio Lead for Public Health confirmed that many of the parents on the Teen Parents Support Programme were anxious at being separated from their children and therefore it had been delivered within Children’s Centres in order to ensure that babies were cared for on the premises.  As a result of the programme some parents had gone on to higher education, employment, or had returned as a mentor.

The Head of Children’s Services confirmed that since the review in 2014, Sure Start had improved and there was now consistent engagement with all young mothers.

In response to a question from Councillor Hart, the Head of Children’s Services confirmed that the possibility of registering births at Children’s Centres had been considered, however it was acknowledged that contact levels with new teenage mothers was 100% and therefore no improvement was required.

Resolved

That the report and presentation be noted.