I'm no expert on these things, but social workers should stronglyadvise, and assist as required with, a visit to the sexual healthadviser. The adviser can the undertake a pregnancy test as well asprovide counselling. This will enable the girl to have all theinformation and prevent ongoing delay in making a decision. There is noreason why the boyfriend cannot attend that appointment as well. Thiswill be supportive to the social work role.
The Teenage Pregnancy Unit has produced a concise and helpful document(with the very snappy title of Guidance for Field Social Workers,Residential Workers and Foster Carers on Providing Information andReferring Young People to Contraceptive and Sexual Health Services). Itis available at www.teenagepregnancyunit.gov.uk. This clearly has to beread with reference to the Sexual Offences Act.
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