Multi-agency Panel: Teenage couple want to be good parents

THE SITUATION

Emma is 16 and six months pregnant. Neither Emma nor her boyfriend Aidan, the 18-year-old father of her unborn baby, are in education, training or employment. At the moment they're both living in a one-bedroom council flat and getting by on benefits. Both Emma and Aidan are excited about being parents and say they want to do the best for their child. However, they both smoke and Emma has admitted getting drunk several times during her pregnancy. Both young people say they're not close to their families. Aidan's parents live in Northern Ireland and while Emma is in touch with her mum and dad, she left home at 15 to move in with Aidan against their wishes.

How would you support this young couple?

THE RESPONSE

The social worker: Claire Nicholson

I'd start with a pre-birth assessment, which would involve working with Emma and Aidan and other agencies to assess risk and identify the support this young couple need. This would give Aidan and Emma an early opportunity to raise any concerns.

I'd be concerned about Emma's alcohol consumption and would explore this further - Emma needs to understand the health implications for her unborn child. It would be important for her to attend her antenatal appointments to ensure the baby's growth and development was monitored. I'd advise them to contact their local children's centre to access support and groups for young parents. The local teenage pregnancy service might also be able to provide support or advice.

I'd help Emma and Aidan apply for any benefits or grants they're entitled to and I'd contact the housing authority to ensure their tenancy was secure. I'd also seek guidance to support Aidan engaging in employment, training or further education.

Claire Nicholson is a social worker for Hampshire County Council's children's services

The youth worker: Rosie Webb

I'd start by trying to understand Emma and Aidan's needs and their hopes for their family. It is positive that they are looking forward to the birth of their child and want to do the best for the baby.

I would support Emma to engage with a parenting programme developed specifically for young expectant parents. This would help Emma understand the impact her health choices have on her child, learn essential parenting skills and encourage her to form relationships with other young mums in the area. I'd direct Aidan to a fathers support worker to help with developing a personal plan for finding work and to discuss any concerns he has. Often, professionals work separately with young mums and dads, which doesn't create a strong family bond.

Meanwhile, young parents can be put off using services alongside older parents because they feel judged. Going along to a young parents' project together would allow Emma and Aidan to meet other parents in a supportive and positive environment.

Rosie Webb is a participation worker at YWCA Bristol

The young parent: Sarah Day

I was 16 when I got pregnant and 17 when I had my daughter. I was very much on my own and can sympathise with Emma and Aidan. Drinking while you're pregnant is not good and Emma needs to know that, but it's no good someone giving her a lecture as that will just push her away. It's the same with smoking; you can't force someone to quit.

Another priority would be help with housing. When the baby comes along they'll need a two-bedroom place. They'll also need help to manage their finances - I really struggled with that. Emma could get a job after she's had the baby but shouldn't be pressured into training or employment while her child is young. Connexions were brilliant to me. They helped me find work and organise my finances. My midwife helped me with loads of things and referred me to a counsellor for emotional support. Aidan should at least try and get a job or do some training and JobCentre Plus and Connexions can help with that.

Sarah Day is a youth work apprentice with Coventry City Council and the lead worker for the Tile Hill Young Parents Group

The early years manager: Dot Smith

In Lancashire we have a system that alerts children's centres to new pregnancies from a woman's first appointment with her midwife. Emma's local centre would get in touch to offer a more detailed introduction to children's centre services, which include advice on training and employment, benefits and housing, childcare and family support.

Emma and Aidan would be invited to attend a fouror fiveweek preparation for parenthood programme run at the centre by midwives and health visitors. There may be one locally just for teenagers. The programme would be great for Emma and Aidan as it covers being a healthy parent, what a baby needs to be healthy and the clinical aspects of labour and birth. There's also advice on stopping smoking and the effects of alcohol during pregnancy.

The programme gives parents time to discuss their hopes and fears about impending parenthood and all centres have a teenage pregnancy champion.

Dot Smith is the integrated service and partnership manager for Lancashire County Council's Sure Start, early years and childcare service

The Connexions adviser: Heidi Snowdon

I'd find out a bit more about Emma and Aidan's past and make a full assessment of their present situation. I'd like to make an early referral to a midwife and antenatal care and check they were getting all the benefits they're entitled to. Other support might include pre-birth parenting classes and family mediation, especially for Emma.

I'd be keen to address Emma's drinking by referring her to specialist help from the local adolescent drug and alcohol service. Jobs are scarce at the moment, which is why I'd actively encourage both to access some kind of education or training, which will not only help them, but benefit their child in the long-term.

Emma might benefit from something like the National Childbirth Trust's buddying scheme, which would pair her up with an older, experienced mum. Young dads can get overlooked, so Aidan would benefit from something like Hertfordshire Youth Connexions' Mentoring Scheme to give him support from a male role model.

Heidi Snowdon is a senior personal adviser for Youth Connexions Hertfordshire