Teenage Pregnancy Strategy
The National Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is set out in the Social Exclusion Unit Report on Teenage Pregnancy launched by the Prime Minister in June 1999.
The two national targets are by 2010 to:
- Halve the under 18 conception rate.
- Increase the participation of teenage mothers in education, training or work to 60%, to reduce the risk of long-term social exclusion.
Its action plan for achieving these targets covers four categories:
- A national campaign – to improve understanding and change behaviour.
- Joined-up action – to co-ordinate action at both national and local levels.
- Better prevention – to include better education and access to contraception, to target at risk groups and reach young men..
- Better support – for pregnant teenagers and teenage parents The Government established the Teenage Pregnancy Unit in the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) with an extensive programme for reducing teenage pregnancy rates, particularly for those under the age of 16.
The Teenage Pregnancy Unit appointed coordinators in each local authority to oversee implementation of strategies at a local level.
All areas were required to set up a Teenage Pregnancy Partnership Board, a multi-agency strategic group to oversee the local strategy and allocate funding.
To download a copy of the Lancashire Teenage Pregnancy Action Plan document click here