Teenage Pregnancies and Schools
The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy’s key aims include increasing the number of teenage parents engaged in Education, Employment or Training (EET) to 60% from the 1998 baseline.
The Social Exclusion Unit reported that the risk of becoming a teenage mother is almost ten times higher for a girl from the lowest social class compared to a girl from a professional background.
Teenage mothers are less likely to finish their education, less likely to find a good job and more likely to end up bringing up their child alone and in poverty.
Responsibility of Schools to pregnant Teenagers
Initial Disclosure of Pregnancy or Possible Pregnancy
When the school becomes aware that a pupil is pregnant or thinks she may be pregnant, staff must not offer or guarantee pupils unconditional confidentiality because of possible emerging child protection concerns.
However, in all instances staff should explain the rationale for any referral and seek approval where possible.
Staff are not legally bound to inform parents.
A member of staff who finds out that a pupil is pregnant or may be pregnant should ensure that the pupil receives full information about services in her local area, for example pregnancy testing, termination service or specialist services such as Brook, how to access them and has the opportunity to talk through the options.
Information on local service can be found at:
www.teenpreghelp.org.uk and at: www.youngpeoplefriendly.co.uk
In all instances of pregnancy in young women under 16, members of school staff should speak to the Education Welfare Service to discuss whether the Child Protection referral procedures should be followed. If there is any likelihood that the pregnancy is the result of abuse there should be immediate discussion with child protection staff in school, Education Welfare, Social Services Department or the Police.
A referral of should be made to the Education Service Manager Lynn Jago (0208 506 5282)
Pregnancy is not a reason for exclusion. Health and Safety should not be used as a reason to prevent a pregnant pupil attending school. Schools have a responsibility to; reduce the total number of days lost in education by teenage mothers; make greater involvement to accommodate the needs of teenage mothers; reduce the risk of long term social exclusion by minimising disruption to the continuity of educational provision and ensure access by pregnant teenagers and school age parents to a wide range of advice, guidance and support from Health, Social Services and the voluntary sector.
For further information and guidance please refer to Redbridge Teenage Pregnancy Retention and Reintegration Policy. A copy is available from Teenage Pregnancy team on 020 8708 5337 or at teenagepregnancystrategy@redbridge.gov.uk.
