Forum Brief: Contraceptive Plan for Schools

Public health minister Hazel Blears yesterday announced plans for school-based health clinics offering sexual health advice and contraception, following a successful pilot scheme in 20 schools.

Britain's rate of teenage pregnancies is the highest in western Europe and the second highest in the developed world.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Sheila Dainton, policy advisor at the ATL, told ePolitix.com: "We need to be absolutely clear that this is most definitely not a role for teachers. Decisions about whether or not to issue contraceptives to pupils in schools will need to be made by the relevant health authority, in consultation with the local education authority, health professionals working in the school and the school's headteacher."

Forum Response: British Pregnancy Advisory Service

A spokeswoman for the British Pregnancy Advisory Service told ePolitix.com: "We support the initiative. As far as we are concerned teenagers are going to have sex and so it is important that we make it safer for them.

"However, we believe that the initiative must work in conjunction with sex education lessons in the classrooms."

Forum Response: Marie Stopes International

A spokesman for Marie Stopes International told ePolitix.com: "All the available evidence tells us that the reality in the UK is that young people do have sex and so we at Marie Stopes International are supportive of any effort to increase young people's access to methods of contraception."

Forum Response: CARE

A spokesman for CARE told ePolitix.com: "The initiative takes responsibility away from the primary care sector. We believe that GPs are best placed to deal with the health problems that can arise from the use of contraceptive techniques such as the pill.

"It would be good to see the Department of Health and the Cabinet Office's Social Exclusion Unit get their act together. At present there is no sign of joined-up government as they are producing a series of mixed messages. Are they in favour of contraception or abstention? At the moment it is unclear.

"The initiative is also not likely to help young people to take more responsibility. Boys in particular are less likely to feel that there can be consequences after having sex and it could mean that girls will be under more pressure to consent."