This case study explores the lessons the government can learn from the joined up policy approaches of those  previous administrations, looking at the design and implementation of England’s teenage pregnancy strategy.

P.5 The teenage pregnancy strategy
In the late 1990s, the teenage birth rate was one of many youth issues where the UK had fallen behind internationally. This was a significant driver of disadvantage and inequalities: teenage mothers and young fathers faced disproportionate risk of poor mental health, poverty and being ‘not in education, employment or training’ (NEET); their children faced higher rates of low birthweight and stillbirth, infant mortality, development delays and being taken into care. In turn, childhood disadvantage was one of the drivers of teenage pregnancy. Experience of family poverty, school absence, time spent in the care system, adverse childhood experiences and alcohol use were all associated with higher risk of early pregnancy.

P.8 ...Then, as now, the vast majority of these pregnancies were unplanned. Many teenage pregnancies end in abortion, while others lead to teenagers becoming parents with few resources and little preparation. Becoming pregnant or starting a family so early in life is a challenge, and many of the young people who experience early pregnancy and parenthood are already disadvantaged. Experience of the care system, adverse childhood experiences, family poverty, school absence or dislike of school and alcohol use are all associated with higher risk of becoming pregnant before 18. Young fatherhood is also associated with previous disadvantage.

P.10 Teenage pregnancy had multiple drivers
The report drew together the multiple causal factors associated with teenage pregnancy. It found that teenage pregnancy was rarely a deliberate choice but was instead driven by social and educational risk factors, weaknesses in sex education and contraception, mixed messages about sex and policy neglect:
• Social and educational risk factors: living in poverty, disliking school, being absent from school and using alcohol were all risk factors associated with teenage pregnancy, and all stood at high levels in England.

P.38 A: Risk and protective factors for teenage pregnancy
Alcohol use: Early regular alcohol consumption is associated with early onset of sexual activity, and several different studies have found associations between adolescent alcohol use and unprotected sex...