Teen mum advisers face the axe in latest cash cuts

4:00pm Monday 11th February 2013 in News

A SEX education officer and a key worker who help teen mums get back to school could be axed to save £63,000 — at a time when teenage pregnancy rates are above the national average.

The two posts are going as part of more multi-million pound cuts being made by Bolton Council.

They are a sex and relationships education development officer (SRE) and a teenage parent inclusion and support officer (TPI).

It comes as Town Hall chiefs announced they had to make a save further £8.8 million of cuts on top of £34.6 already saved.

Bolton’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy was established in 2003 and the SRE was recruited to provide advice and training to Bolton’s schools to help them deliver the sensitive subject.

The TPI identifies teenage mums and encourages them to carry on with their education as well providing support.

Councillors discussed the proposals at a time when pregnancy rates locally are above the average in England. In Bolton there were 39.30 teenage pregnancies per 1,000 — the national average is 35.40.

In 2005 that figure stood at 50.8 per 1,000 females and the figure has been steadily falling.

The TPL works at Bolton College, the Young Mums Unit at Harvey Children’s Centre and at the ante-natal clinic and is funded by the council and Bolton College, with the college indicating it will no longer fund the post from the end of June.

The duties of the two posts will be “re-distributed“ to the health board and to schools and colleges.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “Despite sexual relationship education being the legal responsibility of schools, the council has been able to provide discretionary support.

“Budgetary pressures have forced the council to make significant savings and we are now consulting on no longer funding these posts.

“We acknowledge the posts have provided valuable support to schools in reducing teenage pregnancy rates.

“We are working closely with the staff affected and the unions to give them all the help and support they need at this difficult time.” Pat Harrison, director of 14-to-19 at Bolton College, said: “The college has taken steps to ensure no learners will suffer as a result of the loss of this position.

“The support services the college offers to teenage parents will still be delivered by our internal team.”

Comments (21)

9:48am Mon 11 Feb 13

exiled says...

These jobs should be done by the parents of those girls who can't manage to keep their legs crossed.
These jobs should be done by the parents of those girls who can't manage to keep their legs crossed. exiled

11:05am Mon 11 Feb 13

magic dragon says...

£63,000 saved from 2 positions? That figure would pay for at least 9 front line workers who are out there every day keeping our streets clean, cutting the grass and gritting the roads etc, It is about time these useless services were no longer funded. There is more than enough help and advice for teenage girls without wasting my Council Tax in this way. Maybe the Council should look at cutting more of these don't do much good jobs.
£63,000 saved from 2 positions? That figure would pay for at least 9 front line workers who are out there every day keeping our streets clean, cutting the grass and gritting the roads etc, It is about time these useless services were no longer funded. There is more than enough help and advice for teenage girls without wasting my Council Tax in this way. Maybe the Council should look at cutting more of these don't do much good jobs. magic dragon

1:48pm Mon 11 Feb 13

boltonnut says...

I agree with exiled, also take the axe to the irrisponsible males (can't call them men).Off with their chopper.
I agree with exiled, also take the axe to the irrisponsible males (can't call them men).Off with their chopper. boltonnut

5:32pm Mon 11 Feb 13

sunfun says...

But this is work that GPs should be doing, WHY ARE/HAVE WE PAYING FOR THINGS LIKE THIS?????
But this is work that GPs should be doing, WHY ARE/HAVE WE PAYING FOR THINGS LIKE THIS????? sunfun

6:32pm Mon 11 Feb 13

mr.mark.c says...

I don't blame the parents, a lot of it is peer pressure, we was all teenagers once but most of us had self control.
On the other hand some want to be like mummy and get on the benefits ladder ;)
I don't blame the parents, a lot of it is peer pressure, we was all teenagers once but most of us had self control. On the other hand some want to be like mummy and get on the benefits ladder ;) mr.mark.c

6:54pm Mon 11 Feb 13

were doomed says...

not what you would call good value for money
probably only advice these girls were given was "this is how to get a free house & plenty of benefits" while the father goes scott free
time to clamp down on underage sex & bring the correct sentencing for what is still illegal to have sex let alone pregnancy under age! we are talking school children here
not what you would call good value for money probably only advice these girls were given was "this is how to get a free house & plenty of benefits" while the father goes scott free time to clamp down on underage sex & bring the correct sentencing for what is still illegal to have sex let alone pregnancy under age! we are talking school children here were doomed

8:51pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Bolton5 says...

That £34.6 will make all the difference!
That £34.6 will make all the difference! Bolton5

10:53pm Mon 11 Feb 13

mr.mark.c says...

Sex education in schools works well. NOT
children having children (Jeremy Kyle)
I know where my children are 24/7 and the eldest is 22, I still do not have grandkids because my kids are not thick ;)
Sex education in schools works well. NOT children having children (Jeremy Kyle) I know where my children are 24/7 and the eldest is 22, I still do not have grandkids because my kids are not thick ;) mr.mark.c

8:29am Tue 12 Feb 13

hatonfire says...

were doomed wrote:
not what you would call good value for money
probably only advice these girls were given was "this is how to get a free house & plenty of benefits" while the father goes scott free
time to clamp down on underage sex & bring the correct sentencing for what is still illegal to have sex let alone pregnancy under age! we are talking school children here
Does your user name mean we are no longer doomed?
[quote][p][bold]were doomed[/bold] wrote: not what you would call good value for money probably only advice these girls were given was "this is how to get a free house & plenty of benefits" while the father goes scott free time to clamp down on underage sex & bring the correct sentencing for what is still illegal to have sex let alone pregnancy under age! we are talking school children here[/p][/quote]Does your user name mean we are no longer doomed? hatonfire

9:28am Tue 12 Feb 13

were doomed says...

hatonfire wrote:
were doomed wrote:
not what you would call good value for money
probably only advice these girls were given was "this is how to get a free house & plenty of benefits" while the father goes scott free
time to clamp down on underage sex & bring the correct sentencing for what is still illegal to have sex let alone pregnancy under age! we are talking school children here
Does your user name mean we are no longer doomed?
does your mean your a hot head?? FYI no WERE DOOMED
[quote][p][bold]hatonfire[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]were doomed[/bold] wrote: not what you would call good value for money probably only advice these girls were given was "this is how to get a free house & plenty of benefits" while the father goes scott free time to clamp down on underage sex & bring the correct sentencing for what is still illegal to have sex let alone pregnancy under age! we are talking school children here[/p][/quote]Does your user name mean we are no longer doomed?[/p][/quote]does your mean your a hot head?? FYI no WERE DOOMED were doomed

6:50pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Concerned reader2 says...

One of the posts mentioned here encourages teenage mums to return to education. Surely this tells us that many teenage mums simply want the best for their babies and are actually very good mothers who put the needs of their babies first. Wanting to return to education and go to college tells me that they don't actually wish to be on benefits and would like to own their own house one day with earnings from their chosen career path. They clearly know how to get up in the morning, take care of their babies and get themselves and their babies off to college or school. That can't be easy with a baby, in all weathers. This postholder seems only to be helping the young mums avoid the benefits and social exclusion trap, which anyone must realise will save tax payers money in the long run. I think it is well worth paying a salary for this type of work to improve the outcomes of these vulnerable young people, to improve their futures and to benefit our communities.
One of the posts mentioned here encourages teenage mums to return to education. Surely this tells us that many teenage mums simply want the best for their babies and are actually very good mothers who put the needs of their babies first. Wanting to return to education and go to college tells me that they don't actually wish to be on benefits and would like to own their own house one day with earnings from their chosen career path. They clearly know how to get up in the morning, take care of their babies and get themselves and their babies off to college or school. That can't be easy with a baby, in all weathers. This postholder seems only to be helping the young mums avoid the benefits and social exclusion trap, which anyone must realise will save tax payers money in the long run. I think it is well worth paying a salary for this type of work to improve the outcomes of these vulnerable young people, to improve their futures and to benefit our communities. Concerned reader2

7:54pm Tue 12 Feb 13

berushka says...

Concerned reader2 wrote:
One of the posts mentioned here encourages teenage mums to return to education. Surely this tells us that many teenage mums simply want the best for their babies and are actually very good mothers who put the needs of their babies first. Wanting to return to education and go to college tells me that they don't actually wish to be on benefits and would like to own their own house one day with earnings from their chosen career path. They clearly know how to get up in the morning, take care of their babies and get themselves and their babies off to college or school. That can't be easy with a baby, in all weathers. This postholder seems only to be helping the young mums avoid the benefits and social exclusion trap, which anyone must realise will save tax payers money in the long run. I think it is well worth paying a salary for this type of work to improve the outcomes of these vulnerable young people, to improve their futures and to benefit our communities.
concerned for their babies? Should not be having children at that age, so no concern for the future when they were at it with some spotty-face outside a pub. The money saved from these posts, who obviously failed in their tasks, as the report says teenage pregnancy was on the increase, would provide a huge amount of condoms, castrations and tents for the unmarried girls with children who don't know any better. Mr Mark C above has it spot on!
[quote][p][bold]Concerned reader2[/bold] wrote: One of the posts mentioned here encourages teenage mums to return to education. Surely this tells us that many teenage mums simply want the best for their babies and are actually very good mothers who put the needs of their babies first. Wanting to return to education and go to college tells me that they don't actually wish to be on benefits and would like to own their own house one day with earnings from their chosen career path. They clearly know how to get up in the morning, take care of their babies and get themselves and their babies off to college or school. That can't be easy with a baby, in all weathers. This postholder seems only to be helping the young mums avoid the benefits and social exclusion trap, which anyone must realise will save tax payers money in the long run. I think it is well worth paying a salary for this type of work to improve the outcomes of these vulnerable young people, to improve their futures and to benefit our communities.[/p][/quote]concerned for their babies? Should not be having children at that age, so no concern for the future when they were at it with some spotty-face outside a pub. The money saved from these posts, who obviously failed in their tasks, as the report says teenage pregnancy was on the increase, would provide a huge amount of condoms, castrations and tents for the unmarried girls with children who don't know any better. Mr Mark C above has it spot on! berushka

8:41pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Dove57 says...

mr.mark.c wrote:
Sex education in schools works well. NOT
children having children (Jeremy Kyle)
I know where my children are 24/7 and the eldest is 22, I still do not have grandkids because my kids are not thick ;)
Or not natural?
[quote][p][bold]mr.mark.c[/bold] wrote: Sex education in schools works well. NOT children having children (Jeremy Kyle) I know where my children are 24/7 and the eldest is 22, I still do not have grandkids because my kids are not thick ;)[/p][/quote]Or not natural? Dove57

3:06pm Wed 13 Feb 13

berushka says...

Dove57 wrote:
mr.mark.c wrote:
Sex education in schools works well. NOT
children having children (Jeremy Kyle)
I know where my children are 24/7 and the eldest is 22, I still do not have grandkids because my kids are not thick ;)
Or not natural?
If by natural you mean drinking under-age, staying out until the small hours of the morning, drug-taking, sex with anything that wants it, and a life on the dole, then, yes, maybe these children are not natural. Glad mine also appear to be unnatural in your small-minded way! No wonder the youth of today is the worst generation for a hundred years with people like you encouraging their behaviour; are your children 'natural'?
[quote][p][bold]Dove57[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mr.mark.c[/bold] wrote: Sex education in schools works well. NOT children having children (Jeremy Kyle) I know where my children are 24/7 and the eldest is 22, I still do not have grandkids because my kids are not thick ;)[/p][/quote]Or not natural?[/p][/quote]If by natural you mean drinking under-age, staying out until the small hours of the morning, drug-taking, sex with anything that wants it, and a life on the dole, then, yes, maybe these children are not natural. Glad mine also appear to be unnatural in your small-minded way! No wonder the youth of today is the worst generation for a hundred years with people like you encouraging their behaviour; are your children 'natural'? berushka

12:54pm Thu 14 Feb 13

boltoncity says...

were doomed wrote:
hatonfire wrote:
were doomed wrote:
not what you would call good value for money
probably only advice these girls were given was "this is how to get a free house & plenty of benefits" while the father goes scott free
time to clamp down on underage sex & bring the correct sentencing for what is still illegal to have sex let alone pregnancy under age! we are talking school children here
Does your user name mean we are no longer doomed?
does your mean your a hot head?? FYI no WERE DOOMED
phew thank god for that .. for a minute i thought we were doomed
[quote][p][bold]were doomed[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]hatonfire[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]were doomed[/bold] wrote: not what you would call good value for money probably only advice these girls were given was "this is how to get a free house & plenty of benefits" while the father goes scott free time to clamp down on underage sex & bring the correct sentencing for what is still illegal to have sex let alone pregnancy under age! we are talking school children here[/p][/quote]Does your user name mean we are no longer doomed?[/p][/quote]does your mean your a hot head?? FYI no WERE DOOMED[/p][/quote]phew thank god for that .. for a minute i thought we were doomed boltoncity

1:07pm Thu 14 Feb 13

boltoncity says...

on topic i agree that it should be the parents responsibilty to educate their children. But , more than likely, parents of such teens will probably have also been young when they had children themselves and are not the best role models. We therefore end up in a cycle that is hard to break .
on topic i agree that it should be the parents responsibilty to educate their children. But , more than likely, parents of such teens will probably have also been young when they had children themselves and are not the best role models. We therefore end up in a cycle that is hard to break . boltoncity

6:09pm Thu 14 Feb 13

mr.mark.c says...

Dove57 wrote:
mr.mark.c wrote:
Sex education in schools works well. NOT
children having children (Jeremy Kyle)
I know where my children are 24/7 and the eldest is 22, I still do not have grandkids because my kids are not thick ;)
Or not natural?
True, its not natural to work hard and pay taxes so these kids having kids get a free ride.
maybe its also not natural to get a career and be secure before even thinking about having children?
I think I have done something wrong as my children are doing everything the wrong way around ;)
[quote][p][bold]Dove57[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mr.mark.c[/bold] wrote: Sex education in schools works well. NOT children having children (Jeremy Kyle) I know where my children are 24/7 and the eldest is 22, I still do not have grandkids because my kids are not thick ;)[/p][/quote]Or not natural?[/p][/quote]True, its not natural to work hard and pay taxes so these kids having kids get a free ride. maybe its also not natural to get a career and be secure before even thinking about having children? I think I have done something wrong as my children are doing everything the wrong way around ;) mr.mark.c

7:59am Fri 15 Feb 13

hoboh2o says...

berushka wrote:
Dove57 wrote:
mr.mark.c wrote:
Sex education in schools works well. NOT
children having children (Jeremy Kyle)
I know where my children are 24/7 and the eldest is 22, I still do not have grandkids because my kids are not thick ;)
Or not natural?
If by natural you mean drinking under-age, staying out until the small hours of the morning, drug-taking, sex with anything that wants it, and a life on the dole, then, yes, maybe these children are not natural. Glad mine also appear to be unnatural in your small-minded way! No wonder the youth of today is the worst generation for a hundred years with people like you encouraging their behaviour; are your children 'natural'?
Hold the front page!!!! I think you have actually posted something a lot of people will agree with you on :-)

Give them now't, word would spread faster than their legs and the brats will stop having brats (well most of them anyway).
[quote][p][bold]berushka[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Dove57[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mr.mark.c[/bold] wrote: Sex education in schools works well. NOT children having children (Jeremy Kyle) I know where my children are 24/7 and the eldest is 22, I still do not have grandkids because my kids are not thick ;)[/p][/quote]Or not natural?[/p][/quote]If by natural you mean drinking under-age, staying out until the small hours of the morning, drug-taking, sex with anything that wants it, and a life on the dole, then, yes, maybe these children are not natural. Glad mine also appear to be unnatural in your small-minded way! No wonder the youth of today is the worst generation for a hundred years with people like you encouraging their behaviour; are your children 'natural'?[/p][/quote]Hold the front page!!!! I think you have actually posted something a lot of people will agree with you on :-) Give them now't, word would spread faster than their legs and the brats will stop having brats (well most of them anyway). hoboh2o

10:36am Fri 15 Feb 13

berushka says...

hoboh2o wrote:
berushka wrote:
Dove57 wrote:
mr.mark.c wrote:
Sex education in schools works well. NOT
children having children (Jeremy Kyle)
I know where my children are 24/7 and the eldest is 22, I still do not have grandkids because my kids are not thick ;)
Or not natural?
If by natural you mean drinking under-age, staying out until the small hours of the morning, drug-taking, sex with anything that wants it, and a life on the dole, then, yes, maybe these children are not natural. Glad mine also appear to be unnatural in your small-minded way! No wonder the youth of today is the worst generation for a hundred years with people like you encouraging their behaviour; are your children 'natural'?
Hold the front page!!!! I think you have actually posted something a lot of people will agree with you on :-)

Give them now't, word would spread faster than their legs and the brats will stop having brats (well most of them anyway).
You may see now, Mr Hoboh2o, I am serious about life, the quality of everyone getting what they deserve, and being rewarded for doing ones best. But I do not agree with the endless handouts given to lazy layabouts, scroungers, moaners and chip-on-shoulder beggars who think we all owe them a living. Work hard, look after your children properly, teach them right from wrong and be thankful for the friendship of family and friends and life will smile on you. Try it, it works.
[quote][p][bold]hoboh2o[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]berushka[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Dove57[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mr.mark.c[/bold] wrote: Sex education in schools works well. NOT children having children (Jeremy Kyle) I know where my children are 24/7 and the eldest is 22, I still do not have grandkids because my kids are not thick ;)[/p][/quote]Or not natural?[/p][/quote]If by natural you mean drinking under-age, staying out until the small hours of the morning, drug-taking, sex with anything that wants it, and a life on the dole, then, yes, maybe these children are not natural. Glad mine also appear to be unnatural in your small-minded way! No wonder the youth of today is the worst generation for a hundred years with people like you encouraging their behaviour; are your children 'natural'?[/p][/quote]Hold the front page!!!! I think you have actually posted something a lot of people will agree with you on :-) Give them now't, word would spread faster than their legs and the brats will stop having brats (well most of them anyway).[/p][/quote]You may see now, Mr Hoboh2o, I am serious about life, the quality of everyone getting what they deserve, and being rewarded for doing ones best. But I do not agree with the endless handouts given to lazy layabouts, scroungers, moaners and chip-on-shoulder beggars who think we all owe them a living. Work hard, look after your children properly, teach them right from wrong and be thankful for the friendship of family and friends and life will smile on you. Try it, it works. berushka

1:45pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Dove57 says...

To be conditioned to live and not question must be bliss and so peaceful, i so wish i had been born a sheep!
To be conditioned to live and not question must be bliss and so peaceful, i so wish i had been born a sheep! Dove57

11:05pm Fri 15 Feb 13

ALI MINIUM KHAN says...

magic dragon wrote:
£63,000 saved from 2 positions? That figure would pay for at least 9 front line workers who are out there every day keeping our streets clean, cutting the grass and gritting the roads etc, It is about time these useless services were no longer funded. There is more than enough help and advice for teenage girls without wasting my Council Tax in this way. Maybe the Council should look at cutting more of these don't do much good jobs.
ur wrong, 2 1/2 - 3 workers, people are on £20,000 + these days, i know a gritter who said £220 for a sunday night, thats why we waited till 12
[quote][p][bold]magic dragon[/bold] wrote: £63,000 saved from 2 positions? That figure would pay for at least 9 front line workers who are out there every day keeping our streets clean, cutting the grass and gritting the roads etc, It is about time these useless services were no longer funded. There is more than enough help and advice for teenage girls without wasting my Council Tax in this way. Maybe the Council should look at cutting more of these don't do much good jobs.[/p][/quote]ur wrong, 2 1/2 - 3 workers, people are on £20,000 + these days, i know a gritter who said £220 for a sunday night, thats why we waited till 12 ALI MINIUM KHAN

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