Nursery World - Sure Start targets teenage parents

Teenage parents are to receive support from the Government to help them get back into education and employment. Public health minister Yvette Cooper gave details last week about Sure Start Plus, an Pounds 8m scheme to be piloted in 15 areas of the country. In each pilot area there will be a Sure Start Plus advisor for teenage parents, who will receive individual support packages covering issues including childcare, education, jobs, housing, benefits and healthcare.

Public health minister Yvette Cooper gave details last week about Sure Start Plus, an 8m scheme to be piloted in 15 areas of the country. In each pilot area there will be a Sure Start Plus advisor for teenage parents, who will receive individual support packages covering issues including childcare, education, jobs, housing, benefits and healthcare.

The scheme will target teenage fathers, encouraging them to play a greater role in their children's upbringing. Teenage girls who are pregnant will also be given impartial advice on their options for the future.

Ms Cooper said, 'Nine out of ten teenage parents live on income support. They often have few or no qualifications, they suffer from postnatal depression more often than other mothers, and are more likely to be stuck in poverty in later life. That disadvantage is passed on to their children - who in turn are at greater risk of becoming teenage parents too.

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