Fresh start

Focussed activities and a flexible outlook are two effective tools when it comes to reaching teen parents.

What's the best way of supporting teen parents? Research shows that a tailored approach - one which takes their specific needs into account - works well. And the best place to start developing such an approach? "Make sure teenagers are at the centre of your services from the start," says Sheila Roberts, teenage pregnancy coordinator.

Meeting unique needs
Sheila works for Sure Start Plus in St Helens in the north west, an initiative to support pregnant teenagers and parents under 18. (Until very recently, Sure Start Plus operated as pilot projects in 35 local authority areas. Each one had a dedicated personal adviser who helped individual parents with anything from their relationship with their families to returning to education, along with advice on parenting and contraception. The pilots ended in March 2006, but many - including St Helens - are now being supported by alternative funding and continue to provide a service for teenage parents and their children.) [.]

The St Helens team realised it would need to create an atmosphere that was as relaxed and informal as possible in order to attract young parents and get them involved. "We found a base in the town centre and make sure that we offer accessible and interesting activities, such as advice on diet and healthy eating or - particularly for young fathers - sport. We then sandwich things, such as breastfeeding or parenting classes, around others that are popular - the fitness classes, for instance," Sheila explains. [.]

In Sheila's experience, if a teenage mum feels that others are judging her, she won't participate. But her team has also learnt that many young parents have basic needs, which they have to sort out before they can even consider getting involved in a parenting programme.

(Extracted from an article by Sophie Radice, Sure Start Magazine, Summer 2006)