[WiLT] Supporting Teenage Parents

[WiL Admin]

Supporting Teenage Parents

Wednesday 5th December 2007 - Central London

Aims & Objectives

"We need to find new and innovative ways of engaging the most
vulnerable young parents. Agencies need to work together, recognising
that teenage parents are vulnerable to a wide range of poor outcomes
that no single agency can tackle on its own."

Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children, Young People and Families,
Department for Children, Schools and Families

Although the number of under-18 conceptions has fallen to its lowest
level for over twenty years, outcomes for teenage mothers and their
children are poor. Teenage mothers have higher rates of poor emotional
health and only 30% are in education, employment or training (EET)
compared with 90% of all 16-19 year olds. Their children have a 60%
higher risk of infant mortality, lower academic attainment and a much
greater chance of living in poverty. Furthermore, around 20% of births
conceived to under-18s are to young women who are already teenage
mothers so the issue of prevention is key.

The Teenage Parents, Next Steps: published in July 2007 by the DSCF
and the DH, is designed to improve outcomes for teenage parents and
their children. It provides guidance on what is expected from local
services in crucial areas including:
* Joint working between local authorities and PCTs to identify teenage
parents in the ante-natal period and tackle problems early
* Delivering support through Targeted Youth Support, Children's
Centres and other community based children and young people's services
* Coordinating support through a lead adviser with specialist advice
on issues like smoking cessation, parenting skills and education and
training
* Continuing support until the young parents are ready - emotionally,
educationally and economically - to manage independently.

Attend this Capita one day interactive conference to hear the latest
policy and guidance from DCSF and engage with a variety of successful
local programmes to improve outcomes for teenage parents and their
children.

Benefits of Attending
* Hear the latest guidance and targets from the Teenage Pregnancy
Unit, Department for Children, Schools and Families
* Find out about innovative projects working to reduce conception
rates and improve the sexual health of teenagers
* Pick up practical tips from successful multi-agency projects working
together to tailor support to meet the needs of young parents
* Learn about models and strategies to help young parents and their
families to stop smoking
* Discover how to engage with young fathers and provide accessible and
relevant services
* Find out how to prepare young parents for independent living by
providing advice and support in housing, education and employment
* Identify effective preventative measures to reduce teenage pregnancy
rates

Speakers Include
* Nicola Baboneau, Community and Partnerships, The Learning Trust and
Chair, Hackney and The City's Teenage Pregnancy and Partnership Board
* Alison Hadley, Programme Manager Teenage Pregnancy Unit, Department
for Children Schools and Families
* Sarah Reddington-Bowes, Family Nurse Supervisor Somerset Coast PCT
* Jackie Kelly, Chief Executive Ekaya Housing Association
* Samantha Higgins Young Parents Health Improvement Manager, Kent
Teenage Pregnancy Partnership
* Tracey MacDonald Smokefree Pregnancy Co-ordinator Doncaster PCT
* Carolyn Harrison Teenage Pregnancy Midwife Wrighton Wigan and Leigh
NHS Trust

Fee: Concessionary Discount @ £195.00 (£229.13 inc. VAT)
* Only charities registered with the Charity Commission are eligible
for this discount.

You can download a full programme and book online by going to
http://www.capitaconferences.co.uk/OurConferences/LocalGovernment/Supporting+Teenage+Parents.htm

Posted at WilT blog at
http://www.freecharity.org.uk/~womeninlondon/?p=449