EDUCATION

The UK has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe. In some of the most deprived boroughs, 25% of girls become pregnant before the age of 18. 

ARK is working in partnership with UK charity Children our Ultimate Investment on the innovative and highly successful Teens & Toddlers’ teenage pregnancy prevention programme. Teenagers at risk of early pregnancy are identified through schools and are given the opportunity to undertake work experience in a nursery. The teens are given responsibility for mentoring a vulnerable young child while being supported through training and individual counselling to help raise their confidence, self-esteem and aspirations and gain a better understanding of the significant responsibility involved in having a child. Young men are equally encouraged to participate in the Teens and Toddlers programme. 

While the effect on teenage pregnancy rates will take a number of years to measure effectively, early results have been impressive. No pregnancies have been reported for programme graduates under the age of 16. Under the age of 18, 97.5% of programme graduates do not become pregnant and 99% do not become parents.

To find out more about the Teens & Toddlers programme, please visit www.teensandtoddlers.org.