The Teenage Pregnancy Team

England still has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Western Europe. The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy in Portsmouth aims to reduce unintended teenage conceptions, specifically to reduce conceptions of under 18's by 50% by 2010, and get 60% of teenage parents back into education, training or employment.
 
What does this mean? It means we want all young people to have access to information, advice and support so that they can make the right decisions for them, not only in relation to pregnancy and being a parent but also relationships and life choices.
 
Young mum or young dad?
Referrals to the Teenage Pregnancy Team are made by all agencies throughout the city, and young people can self-refer too. The team works in close partnership with Health professionals (midwives, health visitors and infant mental health), Social Care services, Schools, Housing and Connexions.
 
Download the Referral Form (Word doc. - 234kb)
 
Or contact us on:
Tel: (023) 9284 1714
Teenage Pregnancy Team
Floor 4, Core 1
Civic Offices
Guidlhall Square
Portsmouth
PO1 2AS.
 
Under 16?
We support school-aged teenage parents to ensure they access compulsory education and offer the opportunity to attend a 'Mums To Be' course, held every Wednesday at the Harbour School Cosham Pupil Referral Unit. The day starts with a healthy breakfast and the young people complete units of the course, which includes information from a midwife on pregnancy, labour and birth. Other lessons include healthy eating, making a baby book and more exciting activities. The qualification is equivalent to an NVQ level 1.
 
POPT (Positive Outcomes for Parenting Teenagers) supports young mums and dads under 20 years old to access opportunities for education, training and employment. Our aim is to support teenage parents with parenting and making positive life choices. POPT provides 2 drop-in groups for young dads and young mums (both ante-natal and post-natal) across the city, which include informal group activities and support young people with issues such as Housing, Benefits, Child care and social and emotional issues.
 
POPT groups

• Every Monday 10.30am-12.30 at the Paulsgrove area Children's Centre, Cheltenham Road, Paulsgrove.
• Every Friday 10.30am to 12.30pm at SureStart Children's Centre, Arundel Street off Commercial Road.

Activities at these groups include cooking, toy library, play, health and safety, stress management and time for young people. Other activities organised outside of the groups include trips to local attractions and picnics in the park, so feel free to come along and meet other young parents.