Teenage pregnancy – information for parents and carers of young people at school
For free advice, information about the support available to you and your child, please contact the Pregnancy Reintegration Officer.
If needed, they can visit you at home.
Young teenagers involved with unplanned pregnancies can feel guilty or embarrassed. It’s important to reassure them that they will still get the love and support they need. Working through issues together is best in the long run.
If your daughter doesn’t want to keep the child
Abortion
If this is an option, a decision needs to be made quickly. Your daughter can get counselling and advice through her GP or a local clinic which specialises in working with young people. You can find the nearest specialist clinic through the Family Planning Association website.
Adoption
For help about putting up a newborn baby for adoption, please read our page on
Putting up a child for adoption.
Ante-natal care
Special parenting groups for teenagers run in some areas. The GP or clinic will arrange for appropriate ante-natal (pre-birth) care. At this young age, it’s important that your daughter goes to all her appointments.
Children's services
Don’t hesitate to contact the Duty and Assessment team in Children's Services if you feel your daughter or family need help, or if you have any worries about her welfare or any risks to the unborn child.
Contact a Duty and Assessment team.
Under-age sex
When young people reach the age of 16, they can legally have sex. If both people are under 16, it is unlikely that there will be any prosecution if both people have agreed to have sex. If someone under the age of 16 is sexually involved with over 16, the younger person will not be committing an offence. However, the person over 16 could be charged.
The Family Planning Association has a useful page about
UK law relating to sexual behaviour.
Schooling
Interruptions to your daughter’s education need to be kept to a minimum. The Reintegration Officer will be able to help you make arrangements with the school. Home tuition will be available for a short period just before and just after the birth.
Young people who are 16 to 18 years old may be able to claim £30 a week if they are in further education. Find out more at Directgov – Education Maintenance Allowance.
Help with childcare
Funding up to the value of £155 per week is available, up to age 19, to enable young parents to continue their education at school and if they go on to college. Contact the Reintegration Officer for details or apply online at Care to Learn.
Money
Young parents can claim various sources of financial help, including child benefit when the child is born. For more help, visit the Citizens Advice Bureau website: CAB – advice for parents aged under 16.
Fathers
Young fathers can feel excluded from decisions being made. They may disagree with them. They may not want the responsibility fatherhood brings. For help with these problems, contact the Reintegration Officer (above).
For more information, go to our page Teenage pregnancy – information for young fathers.
Housing
The best place for very young mothers is with their family. Being pregnant is not an automatic route to housing. If you are unable to provide a home for your daughter and her child you should contact Children's Services if she is under 16 or the local Housing Department if she is over 16:
