The government's teenage pregnancy strategy represents the first coordinated attempt to tackle both the causes and the consequences of teenage pregnancy.
The strategy's targets are:
to halve the under 18 pregnancy rate by 2010 and establish a firm downward trend in the under 16 rate
to increase the proportion of teenage parents in education, training or employment to 60% by 2010, to reduce the risk of social exclusion
Factors for reducing teenage pregnancy
Evidence and research shows that a range of factors need to be in place to successfully reduce teenage pregnancy rates.
Hounslow are currently implementing the following:
Engagement of delivery partners
The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is driven by the Teenage Pregnancy Partnership Board (TPPB) which is made up of senior managers, to ensure the engagement of all of the key mainstream delivery partners who have a role in reducing teenage conceptions. The TPPB includes representation from health, social services, youth support services and community pharmacies. A consultant in children's public heath has been jointly appointed by NHS Hounslow and us, with a key role to support the teenage pregnancy champion, the director of children's services, in ensuring that teenage pregnancy remains high on the children and young people's plan.
Effective sexual health advice service
A young person's access to contraception and advice is a crucial factor in reducing teenage pregnancy. In order to address this, NHS Hounslow's sexual health service has recently undergone a modernisation process. The sexual health services have been rebranded and are now called 'KISS' and are open from 3pm every day of the week, across the borough. They are confidential and appointment is on a drop-in basis. Young people are guaranteed a friendly and non-judgemental approach. We are aware that increasing young people's access to contraception has a positive impact on unplanned pregnancies.
Free condom distribution scheme available throughout the borough (
PDF Help, size 30kb)
This is a confidential scheme which aims to break down the barriers for a young person accessing condoms i.e. cost and embarrassment. If a young person thinks they are pregnant because of unprotected sex in the last 72 hours (3 days) they can take emergency contraception, also known as the morning-after pill to prevent unintended pregnancy. The earlier they take this the more effective it is likely to be.
Pharmacies participating in the emergency contraception scheme ( PDF Help, size 84kb)
FPA Helpline 0845 122 8690 - Free advice
Brook Helpline 0800 018 5023
Prioritisation of sex and relationships education
Strong delivery of sex and relationships education (SRE) is vital in arming young people with the correct education to keep themselves healthy and safe. Research strongly suggests that the more confident and self assured a young person feels, greatly reduces the chances of them engaging in early sexual activity. Hounslow's teenage pregnancy team is offering support to schools and agencies who would benefit from advice on delivering SRE. Contact us for further information.
Focus on targeted interventions
We know that some groups of young people can be more at risk of teenage pregnancy than others. They include young people who are involved in youth offending, young people involved in risk taking behaviour such as abuse of drugs or alcohol, young people who are in care or have been in care in the past. In order to address this we are working closely with the LAC nurse, Visions (young peoples substance misuse service) and the youth offending service. This includes staff being encouraged to attend the KISS sexual health training and being involved in the free condom distribution scheme.
KISS sexual health training dates and application form ( PDF Help, size 81kb)
Training for partners
For professionals to feel more confident about talking to young people about sexual health, why not book yourself onto the free KISS Levels 1 & 2 Sexual Health Training. Contact us for more details.
We have launched our Speakeasy programme. This equips parents with the skills, knowledge and information to talk to their children about sex and relationships. It is an accredited eight week course which is interactive and a fun way of learning. Contact us for more information about when the courses will be running.
Contact us
Email: veronica.watts@hounslow.gov.uk
Tel: 020 8583 2076
Veronica Watts
Children and Young People's Public Health Manager
Children's Services and Lifelong Learning
London Borough of Hounslow
Civic Centre
Lampton Road
Hounslow
TW3 4DN