Written Evidence for the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee: Inquiry Into Teenage Pregnancy

We welcome the opportunity to respond to this Inquiry and highlight the specific issues facing children and young people with care experiences and those supporting this group. As highlighted in the Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee Inquiry into the Educational attainment of Looked after children and young people (2012), many children and young people face considerable educational disadvantage and experience poorer outcomes than their peers.1 Participation in education is a known protective factor in reducing teenage pregnancy rates. Looked after young people and careleavers have a right to access support to address their sexual health needs. For careleavers, emotional wellbeing and stability have been identified as key factors affecting decisions to become younger parents; yet these issues are often overlooked.