Service Development Programme: Maximising Life Opportunities for Teenagers. Teenager parents' views and experiences of sex and relationship education, Sexual Health Services and Family Support Services in Kent - Summary of Antenatal Findings

This document reports on the first part of a study exploring the views and experiences of pregnant teenagers across Kent. The young people were interviewed during the third trimester, at a point when the decision to proceed with the pregnancy was well-established. A second report will be released in Spring 2007, exploring the postnatal experience of the same sample. The research was conducted as part of a larger study into teenagers’ views and experiences of sex and relationships education, sexual health services and family support services in Kent. The research was commissioned and funded by the Kent Teenage Pregnancy Partnership.

The contribution made by this study is to offer insights into the lived experience of Kent teenagers, both female and male, as they deal with becoming parents. By asking them to reflect upon their attitudes towards sex and relationships, and to evaluate the advice, support and information they received in childhood and adolescence it is possible to capture both the diversity in experience and circumstances and to identify common experiences that may be of use in the improvement of service provision. The knowledge gathered is of local benefit as it identifies the strengths and weaknesses of services, highlights examples of good practice and offers insights from the experience of service-users.