Teenage Pregnancy - Highfields

Highfields provides support to school aged girls in Barnsley who become pregnant.

It is a partnership venture between Education, the Youth Service and Health. The provision offers three afternoon sessions of educational support per week. Staffing is supported by teachers, youth workers and the ''teenage'' midwife.

Procedure

Wherever possible, we recommend that youngsters continue an uninterrupted education within mainstream school. In circumstances where this is not possible Highfields can provide support from the sixth month of their pregnancy.

Schools or other agencies, such as Social Services and Surestart Plus, will refer the youngsters in the first instance. Within 14 days of receipt of the referral, the central team will organise an initial home visit and a meeting with the host school to examine all options for them.

A programme will be arranged for the youngster, which will be one of the following options:

• to remain within mainstream education;
• to attend mainstream school and the Highfields support centre;
• to attend Highfields support centre for three sessions weekly with support to return to full time education after the birth of the child.

Transport is available to take the girls to and from Highfields, where teachers from the Behaviour Support Service and a Youth worker are present at the sessions. The host school provides work for the pupils attending the centre.

Whilst Highfields is an educational establishment, it also supports the social and emotional needs of the young mums/mums to be. Through the Behaviour Support Service, the teenage pregnancy officer has developed a 10-week programme of study for pupils on 'Contraception and Consequences', which they can deliver to pupils. Youngsters can also access advice on other related issues.

Pupils' progress is monitored and theirreintegration into mainstream school is supported by normal service protocols and education welfare if appropriate.

Support for creche facilities can also be organised.

Helplines

Behaviour Support Services
01226 246521

Teenagers, Parents and Students

If you are a teenager looking for advice on sexual health or pregnancy issues, or a parent seeking information on talking to your teenagers about sex, there are many quality websites designed to meet your needs - too many for us to list them all here, but you could start with the sites listed below and they will contain links to others:

Young people
Brook or ring 0800 018 5023
RUThinking about it or ring Sexwise 0800 28 29 30
The Family Planning Association  or ring 0845 310 1334
Marie Stopes or ring 0845 300 8090
British Pregnancy Advisory Service or ring 08457 30 40 30

Parents
Parentline plus

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I have help with advice and still continue in education?
A. Yes, it is best to register so that you can get help with creche facilities etc.

Q. Can you help organise post-16 education?
A. Yes - links are made with college, training providers and employers

Q. Can I do GSCEs and other qualifications?
A. Yes

Q. If I don't attend school very much can I refer myself?
A. Make contact and then someone will organise your referral