Big interview: Mentor for young mothers

Last week the Government suggested there was a link between above-average GCSE pass rates and successfully reducing teenage conceptions (YPN, 1-7 March, p6). But, for Walsall Council, improving access to education was just one aspect of its approach to tackling teen pregnancies, although a major one.

Jane Evans, assistant director of children's services at Walsall Council, says the local authority's reduction in teenage pregnancies of about 27.5 per cent since 1998 was largely down to a concerted effort made by local partnerships. Although she is naturally pleased that the drop has been so significant - Walsall was one of a handful of local authorities to reach double figures - she is quick to state that "resting on one's laurels" is not going to be an option.