Issue - items at meetings - Teenage Pregnancy Action Plan 2009-11

Report of the Director of Children’s Services (copy attached).

1.       That the Action Plan for 2009/11 be noted.

2.        That the specific recommendations surrounding leadership for the Brighton & Hove Teenage Pregnancy Action Plan be agreed.       

62.1    The Board considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services concerning the Teenage Pregnancy Action Plan 2009/11, which recognised the high rate of teenage conception in Brighton & Hove relative  to the rest of the South east of England, and presented an action plan to improve the situation  (for copy see minute book).

62.2    Officers explained that teenage pregnancy had been identified as one of the problems for the city. Officers referred to the social and education consequences, which were reported to be worst in children born of young mothers.

62.3    It was noted that the progress in relation to this matter was better nationally than in Brighton & Hove, whilst also recognising that the rates of teenage pregnancy were the worst in Britain in relation to the rest of Europe. However, and despite the critical situation, the high level of senior officers committed to tackling this issue to do better for the city was identified as a positive element in the process, and the optimism in the believe that something can be done to change the situation.

62.4    The Board very much welcomed the report and the proposed action plan.

62.5    Discussions took place and the following considerations were also put forward: members considered that in order to support this work further,  a deeper and more significant change needed to take place in terms of attitudes, behaviours and a round up cultural change as well as bringing on board and involving the fathers in the process; keeping continuous work with the practitioners; taking account of second and third pregnancies; whilst also cross referencing the issue with other related matter, such as alcohol consumption, etc.

62.6    Members also indicated that it was important to acknowledge that there were young mothers who did well and advised caution where generalisation was concerned.   It was also pointed out that there were instances where teenage girls would want to have children willingly as a way to feel, give and receive love, something those teenagers might feel lack in their life. The question was posed as to how this factor could be dealt with.

62.7    Officers acknowledged that the work required was not all about the strategy that was being considered, but also all the work that the PCT and the Children & Young People’s Trust were doing, and recognised that the work was not for all young people, but only some and, therefore, it was necessary to target it and improve expectations and opportunities for those specific young women.

62.8    Officers were also mindful of the messages the city itself gave out to young people. Concerns were raised to the fact that the messages young people receive were, by the very nature of this city young city in terms of its population, contradicting, indirectly inviting youngsters to consume alcohol, clubs and drugs.

62.9    The Board noted the conference being organised for members of staff in July 2009 and enquired whether young mothers and fathers had been invited to attend.

62.10  Officers indicated that the conference was aimed at staff and at helping them to understand the element of prevention and its importance in tackling the issue. It was explained that young people had not been included in this particular event so that staff could have a safe space in which to discuss all these issues freely and openly. 

62.11  Members sought clarification as to how the Board could ensure that the leadership group of senior officers had the right people to take this strategy forward; and concerns were also raised about the difficulty around accountability, as this was not usually an immediate process.

62.12  The Assistant Director, East Area Early Years and NHS Commissioning, explained that the message the senior officers wanted to get across to staff was that they should also be engaged and committed to this work, as they are the people who will deliver it in loco. It was also recognised that staff needed to be clear about what were the interventions that worked and those that did not.

62.13  Members also noted the analysis of under performance in paragraph 3.4 of the report and enquired what were the measures used to analyse that information.

62.14  The Assistant Director explained that officers went through a process whereby they talked to various other PCTs in order to identify successful performances.  He indicated that officers found that Portsmouth, which was also a place which related to Brighton & Hove in terms of its young adults, had had a considerable reduction in number of teenage pregnancy. He indicated that officers drew upon those positive actions. 

62.15  Members reiterated their satisfaction with the report and the plan proposed. They urged officers to not lose sight of the report and its action plan. Members also indicated that they would wish to accompany, monitor and analyse the progress achieved, therefore would like to see a further report on this item.

62.16  Officers agreed to bring a 6 months progress report to the Board.

62.17 RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Board accepted the following recommendations:

(1)      That the Action Plan for 2009/11 be noted.

          (2)      That the specific recommendations surrounding leadership for the Brighton & Hove Teenage Pregnancy Action Plan be agreed.