Teenage Pregnancy

There is a great deal of work underway to reduce the number of teenage conceptions in Bassetlaw, and also to encourage those teenagers who do have babies to return to education or work.
Many teachers, school nurses and contraception nurses are providing a comprehensive and progressive package of sex and relationship education in schools. This is with the support of the school governors and head teachers. Teenagers on e-e programmes are also included in this education.

As Bassetlaw is a rural area many contraception clinics have been set up either within schools or very close by in youth clubs or sports clubs so that they attract teenagers at an appropriate time. A Saturday late morning clinic has also recently been opened in Worksop.

The C-Card scheme, which provides free condoms to anyone under 19 years old has also proved very popular. This scheme is available in some youth centres and at North Notts College.

Many pharmacists throughout Bassetlaw have joined a scheme to provide emergency contraception free of charge, which is provided through Bassetlaw Primary Care Trust, this is proving to be a popular route for teenagers to access emergency contraception, especially with the long opening hours that most pharmacies have.

For those teenagers who continue with their pregnancy we have a quick referral to the midwife and other health professionals to ensure that care is given. We have several clubs around the area where classes in care of the baby and antenatal care are offered. The "Care to Learn" package, which is administered through Connexions provides financial support for childcare, enabling young teenage mums to return to education programmes.

The Teenage Pregnancy Forum meets 3 monthly to ensure that services work closely together. These meetings are held at Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Services (BCVS) in Worksop and further information about all the services for teenagers, and also clinic times and venues, can be accessed through the BCVS website by going to Organisations and Teenage services.