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Let's talk about sex

Gail Teasdale

The number of unplanned teenage pregnancies in Hull is falling but there are still around 350 every year. New measures are being introduced to reduce them even further

When is the best time to tell your children about the birds and the bees?
For some parents, this can be a tricky subject, deciding what to say and when to say it, and some put it off completely.
From a young person's point of view, deciding when they want to have sex and which type of contraception to use can be difficult, especially if they don't know all the proper facts, and at the same time are experiencing peer pressure.
But support is at hand for both parents and young people through a range of agencies, including Hull City Council, the local NHS and the voluntary sector.
"We need to make sure young people and their families have access to clear and accurate information," says Gail Teasdale, Hull City Council's service development manager for teenage pregnancy and sexual health.
"Young people need the information and skills to delay having sex until they are ready.
"And when they are ready, they need access to contraception services to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
"It's also important that they avoid catching sexually transmitted infections, and are able to have happy and healthy relationships."

Support for young people

Part of Gail's role involves making sure that staff who work with young people, including youth workers, foster carers and learning mentors in schools, are trained to discuss sexual matters with them – and that they can refer them to further help if necessary.
That help includes school nurses in secondary schools who can give contraception advice, and staff in youth services teams.
"We know young people are often reluctant to come forward and talk about sexual matters so we're also putting together a new team of outreach sexual health nurses," says Gail.
"They'll go out to see young people and offer contraception advice in places like youth centres.
"There's also targeted help for young people who've runaway from home, truant from school, who are in care, and for young offenders going through the youth justice system."
Gail is also developing a young mystery shopper project, in partnership with local sexual health charity Cornerhouse.
The project involves trained teenagers visiting sexual health and advice services, including GP's surgeries, youth centres and drop-in centres in colleges before giving feedback on the quality of service they receive in a bid to help improve services.
(Cornerhouse also provides training for staff and advice for parents and young people – see contact details below).

"Young people need the information and skills to delay having sex until they are ready" – Gail Teasdale

Help in schools

Gail also helped bring in an initiative called 'A Pause' where teachers, school nurses and young 'peer educators' teach pupils about the emotional aspects of sexual relationships, about contraception, and how to say 'no.'
Other initiatives include introducing a play called 'Down in One,' in partnership with Croft Creative theatre company, in which four young people from Endeavour School tour other schools across the city and stage performances on the themes of sex and alcohol.
Help for parents For parents there are workshops offering advice and pointing them to appropriate sources of help, such as phone lines and websites (see below).
"There is no specific time for parents to have a conversation about sex and relationships," says Gail.
"Mums may prefer to leave it to dads but at the same time dads might think that mums will be talking to the kids about it.
"Then before parents know it, in some cases, their daughter is pregnant or their son is a father-to-be.

Support for young parents

Gail has also set up the Teenage Pregnancy Support Service (TPSS) to provide support for young parents and parents-to-be, after consulting young people themselves about the type of support they wanted.
"TPSS supports them to decide whether they want to keep the child, have a termination, or consider fostering or adoption," adds Gail.
"We raise aspirations, build self confidence, and help them make the right choices – and many still do well in education and some achieve five GCSEs – but we must stress that it's not an easy ride for many young parents so its important unplanned pregnancies are prevented where possible."

Sources of help

Parentline Plus is a 24-hour, seven days a week national helpline giving advice on parenting and how best to discuss sex and relationships with children. Phone 0808 800 2222 or visit www.parentlineplus.org.uk A national website for young people giving advice on relationships is www.ruthinking.co.uk and young people can call the Sexwise phone service on 0800 282930. Locally, young people can find advice and confidential support at Cornerhouse in Percy Street, a voluntary organisation dealing with all aspects of sexual health and family planning, by phoning 336322. Young people can find help at The Warren young people's resource centre by calling 218115, and for advice on NHS sexual health services visit Conifer House in Prospect Street or call 336336. or log onto www.luvhull.co.uk