The issues of teenage pregnancy came to the forefront of Government policy in 1999, following the publication of the Social Exclusion Document; Teenage Pregnancy. The research highlighted a number of significant health and social inequalities faced by pregnant teenagers / teenage parents.

The document paved the way for all areas to develop a ten year Local Teenage Pregnancy Strategy. The UK has the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Western Europe. Cambridgeshire is below the national average and rates are continuing to fall. There are large variations in both conception rate and abortion rates across the district boundaries in Cambridgeshire.

The Cambridgeshire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership has the target of halving the rate of teenage conceptions and to support 60% of teenage parents in employment or training by 2010. This multi faceted strategy also aims to support teenage parents to ensure they have the opportunity to reach their full potential, which includes access to education, training and employment.

There is a countywide Teenage Pregnancy Partnership Board (TPPB), which reports into the Cambridgeshire Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP), oversee the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy. The group meets quarterly. The Board consists of senior representatives such as: Assistant Director of Public Health (commissioning and providing services), Policy Lead for the PCT, joint PCT Children’s Lead; there is also a representative from the Voluntary Sector; Workforce Training, area representations and the Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator. The Board is chaired by the Head of Participation and Services for Young People.

At District Council level the Better Prevention and Better Support meetings are established. There are local multi-agency groups of practitioners and managers forming the Sexual Health Forums, lead by health colleagues. Similar development work has been achieved through the establishment of the Better Support groups across the county.

For more information please contact us on:
OCYPS.webmaster@cambridgehsire.gov.uk