YES: Anne Weyman, chief executive, fpa
If young people are having unprotected sex, they need immediate support from a healthcare professional. The UK has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Western Europe, so speedy access to emergency contraception is important. The school nurse will be able to help guard against unplanned pregnancy and offer advice about contraception and sexually transmitted infections. Sex and relationships education is often patchy in schools, so young people need alternative sources of information and advice.
YES: Dr Pat Spungin, founder, www.raisingkids.co.uk
This is not a case of the school taking over the parent's responsibilities. This is a case of the school stepping in where communication between parent and child has broken down. In the best of all worlds, young girls in this predicament would talk to their parents. Sadly, many girls are too scared to. The only place they can get help is from the school nurse, who won't judge them. You cannot force a girl to tell her mother and if she can't turn to the school nurse for help, who can she turn to?
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