Teenage Conceptions

The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy aims to provide excellent universal services for all young people with specific targeting of services and support for those most at risk.  This section explains what we are doing to further reduce teenage conception rates in Newcastle. 

What are the impacts of becoming a teenage parent?

It is recognised that individual young people can be competent parents, however:

• Research shows that, for some people, becoming a parent at a young age may have a negative impact on their health, education and well-being.

• Teenage mothers are less likely to finish their education, and more likely to bring up their child alone and in poverty.
• Infant mortality rate for babies born to teenage mothers is 60 per cent higher than for babies born to older mothers.
• Teenage mothers are more likely to smoke during pregnancy and are less likely to breastfeed, both of which have negative health consequences for the child.
• They also have 3 times the rate of post-natal depression of older mothers and a higher risk of poor mental health for 3 years after the birth.
• Children of teenage mothers are generally at increased risk of poverty, low educational attainment, poor housing and poor health, and have lower rates of economic activity in adult life.
• Rates are highest among deprived communities, so the negative consequences of teenage pregnancy are disproportionately concentrated among those who are already disadvantaged.

Partners

• Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood Strategy Board
• Newcastle City Council
• Newcastle PCT
• Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals
• NHS Trust
• Newcastle College
• Your Homes Newcastle (YHN)
• Barnardos
• Streetwise
• Connexions
• Newcastle schools

Related documents

Newcastle teenage pregnancy and parenthood strategy 2008-11 (pdf, 224KB)
Newcastle teenage pregnancy and parenthood action plan 2008-11 (pdf, 100KB)
C-Card Scheme: Exploring the meaning and effects on young peoples sexual health

Related information

Family Service Directory for a range of local services offering information, advice and support.
Teenage Pregnancy Board
Sexual Health

Theme Leads

Access to services
Claire Pinder
Clinical Service Manager, Sexual Health
Newcastle PCT
Email:claire.pinder@newcastle-pct.nhs.uk
Phone: 0191 229 2852

Sex and relationships education
Linda Mason, Head of Inclusion
Newcastle City Council
Email: linda.mason@newcastle.gov.uk
Phone: 0191 211 5303

Supporting teenage parents
Jacqui Sirs, Assistant Director, Barnardos
Email: Jacqui.sirs@barnardos.org.uk
Phone:0191 240 4800