Foster children urged to delay sex
Sue Learner
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Foster carers in Derby have received specialist training on encouraging young people not to have sex until they are ready.
The training funded by Derby City Council is designed to support young people make positive choices in a sexual relationship.
The training was previously carried out with professionals working with young people in Derby but has now been extended to foster carers.
Maureen Farren, training and education officer for Derby City Council, said: “It was important to extend this training to foster carers to encourage them to open the lines of communication with young people.
“Foster carers in Derby are caring for children from hugely different backgrounds and this training was about making them feel confident and ensuring they can pass on what they have learnt to the young people in their care.”
Sheila McFarlane, Derby’s teenage pregnancy commissioning manager, said: “We are delighted that this training has been extended to foster carers so they have the skills to support the young people they care for.
“It is important that young people have accurate information to help them make positive informed choices for themselves and also to give them the self-esteem and confidence to enter into discussion with any potential partners.”
