We still have far to go to cut teen pregnancy rate

Thursday 26 February 2009
Paul Ennals, chief executive, NCB

This week we are expecting the latest figures on teenage pregnancy, which is normally a good time to avoid reading the tabloids. NCB has supported the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy from the very beginning.

We helped the government analyse why teenage pregnancy rates are higher in Britain than most of Europe, and why it is important to reduce these figures. But we always believed that the ambitious government targets to halve the rate were unachievable in the timescale.

The rate is coming down, but there is still so far to go. Why are we not on target? Because some of the really big changes are only just starting to take effect. And the government remains too wary of reactions from the anti-youth establishment to demand commitment from local services.
 
For example, we know we need sex and relationship education embedded within a statutory personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum, with better training and support to teachers. But although the government has now promised to do so, PSHE is not yet statutory.

Research has shown that the biggest single factor in reducing teenage pregnancy rates is improving contraceptive advice and services. Money has now been allocated, and the child health strategy has promised more advice on setting up services in schools, but we are only just starting.

Reducing teenage pregnancy may be a high government priority, but we know that many primary care trusts and local authorities are not prioritising this area. So there are three things we can do to speed things up. Prepare now for statutory PSHE, through investing in the training of teachers. Accelerate the provision of contraceptive advice in schools and colleges. And develop support for local leaders, to help them drive forward change. The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is important, and it is right. We can deliver it.