8th June 2010 / AGENDA ITEM 6
TEENAGE PREGNANCY
1.0Matter for consideration
1.1To consider an update report in relation to the 2008 under-18 conception figures.
2.0Recommendation
2.1To scrutinise the report and note the local strategy to continue to make progress towards the national target for reduced teenage conceptions in Blackpool.
3.0Summary of key issues
3.1Blackpool has made significant progress on reducing under-18 conception rates since the implementation of the National Teenage Pregnancy Strategy in 1998. There is a slight increase on 2007 conception rates in Blackpool but the overall trend remains a downward one since 2003. Please see information attached at Appendix 6 (a).
3.2The official data for Blackpool states that the 2008 rate for under-18 conceptions in Blackpool is 61.6 per 1000, a 1.2% increase on the 2007 figure of 60.9 per 1000. This is 4.9% below the 1998 baseline figure of 64.8 and still a long way off the Public Service Agreement (PSA) expectation of 29.1 by 2010 (an expected 55% reduction of the 1998 baseline).
3.3The national target was set in 1998 to halve all under-18 conceptions in England by 2010. To date the reduction figure that has been achieved nationally is 13.3 per cent.
Many local areas (including Blackpool), some in the areas of highest deprivation, have achieved impressive reductions in their local rates, demonstrating that significant improvement in all areas is possible. Conceptions and births are at their lowest level for over 20 years. National data is always nearly 2 years behind and the 2010 figures are not available until February 2012.
3.4 In order to better understand this complex issue, timely and accurate data about conceptions, access to services and behaviour is crucial. A Management Information Co-ordinators role is now established and wasappointed to in June 2009. A robust teenage pregnancy data set with identified update processes is now in place, and continues to develop as new / improved data sources are identified and data sharing networks are developed.
3.5 Reducing under-18 conceptions remains a high priority strategically and has been re- prioritised within the 09/12 Children’s Plan, the Local Area Agreements and the PCT’s World Class Commissioning agenda. The multi agency Teenage Pregnancy Partnership Steering Group continues to lead the Strategy and reports monthly to the Children’s Trust who monitors delivery as a standing agenda item at the Executive meeting. A Joint Commissioning Group has also been established with key stakeholders who are members of the group. The commissioning group is key in informing the commissioning services relating to the Teenage pregnancy agenda.
3.6 Blackpool’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy and Action Plan were refreshed following self –evaluation against the National Teenage Pregnancy Toolkit. Work-streams within the existing Teenage Pregnancy Delivery plan mirror the nationally recommended focus. For prioritised work-streams please see information attached at Appendix 6 (b). Good progress has been made against the 09/10 plan, with 85% of actions being achieved by March 2010. Areas of particular strength include increased availability of sexual health services through longer opening hours at the young people’s sexual health service. There has been an increase in the number of GP surgeries delivering long acting reversible contraception to registered and non-registered patients, both of which are resulting in increased uptake by young people. Blackpool has also been part of the national You’re Welcome pilot and four services have submitted to the local panel and one service is ready to submit to the regional panel.
3.7 Blackpool’s Personal Relationships Education Strategy is complete and will be circulated to all School Improvement Partners in primary and secondary schools across Blackpool. Personal Relationships Education Policy for Looked after Children is complete and is now being implemented.
3.8In September 2009, Brook was invited to undertake a review of young people’s sexual health services in Blackpool. Eighteen recommendations were proposed in the final report and these are attached at Appendix 6(c). One significant recommendation was the review of the Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator’s role and a suggestion that it becomes a commissioning role. This has been actioned, and the Teenage Pregnancy Integrated Commissioning took up her post in March 2010. The other seventeen recommendations are being developed by the post holder in conjunction with partners.
3.9Key Achievements in 2009/10
- Management Information Co-ordinators role established;
- Teenage Pregnancy Integrated Commissioning Manager role established;
- Robust Teenage pregnancy data set with identified update processes in place;
- Increased availability of Young People’s sexual health services through longer opening hours; and
- Blackpool’s Personal Relationships Education Strategy completed.
3.10Key priorities for the next 12 months
- Mapping and scoping exercise of all prevention and support services in relation to Teenage Pregnancy and under-18 sexual health services;
- Commissioning Intentions Strategy to be written to provide direction around commissioning of prevention and support services in relation to teenage pregnancy and under-18 sexual health services;
- Establish provision of drop in / outreach sexual health services with 16-18 year age group, paying particular attention to further education and training settings;
- Increase access to Long Acting Reversible Contraception in young people;
- Support the Young People’s sexual health services submitted to the local verification panel through the You’re Welcome process and help them to achieve You’re Welcome status; and
- Link the teenage pregnancy agenda with the healthy schools agenda.
4.0Witnesses / Representatives
4.1As requested by the Committee members, the following persons have been invited to attend the meeting to speak on the matter:
- Claire Grant, Teenage Pregnancy Integrated Commissioning Manager, Blackpool Council.
- Sue Crouch, Assistant Director and Chair of Teenage Pregnancy Partnership Steering Group,Blackpool Council.
Relevant officer:
Claire Grant, Teenage Pregnancy Integrated Commissioning Manager
Tel: (01253) 477640, e-mail:
Appendices attached:
Appendix 6 (a): Under-18 conception rates
Appendix 6 (b): Priority 2 Work-streams
Appendix 6 (c): Brook Report recommendations
Background papers:
None
Websites and e-mail links for further information:
None
Glossary:
None