I recently attended an fpa course called "Promoting Choice". It aims tohelp staff work with young parents to avoid unplanned secondpregnancies.
The course was developed in response to the increase in secondpregnancies in young women aged 17 and under. This has led to youngfamilies' life chances being potentially poorer than those of olderparents.
Tabloids label young parents as irresponsible, but it's not that simple.Research shows young women who have had early second pregnancies stilldon't know the basics about contraception. And they face barriers toservices. "Midwives look down their noses at us because we're youngparents," said one girl.
So what's the answer? The Government is developing a new programmecalled the Health-Led Parenting Project. Pregnant teenagers will beallocated a dedicated link worker for the first two years of theirbaby's life. The programme will be delivered by health visitors andmidwives, targeting first-time mothers and linked to Sure Startchildren's centres. It will involve an intensive approach includingpromoting contraception, home-visiting during pregnancy and supportuntil the first child is two or the mum turns 18.
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