Teenage Pregnancy Advice

There are range of services and support available for young people relating to pregnancy and supporting young parents. Below are the links to enable a young person to access local services and information for health, education, benefit entitlements, childcare and support together with national help lines and websites where appropriate.

If you think you, or someone in your family might benefit from any service provided by Social Services and you would like us to contact you by phone or email, please click the following link and complete the Social Services Contact Us/Self Referral Online Form and someone will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Emergency contraception

If you have had sex without using contraception or think your method might have failed, you can take emergency contraception up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex.
It is more effective the earlier it is taken. If you had unprotected sex more than three days ago see a GP or contact the Garden Clinic (01753 635302) - they will still be able to help.

• A clinic offering advice, support and contraception is also offered at St. Marks Hospital (in the antenatal section) , Maidenhead 5.30-7.00pm on Thursday evenings.
• On Saturday mornings, also at St. Marks Hospital (held in outpatients), from 10.00-12.00 there is a drop-in sexual health clinic for young people aged under 18.
• Emergency contraception is free from your local GP, the Garden Clinics in Bracknell and Slough or the Slough Walk in Centre (01753 635505 based at Upton Hospital)
• Emergency contraception can also be bought if you are 16 or over from a chemist - about £24
  

National helplines that might be useful are:

• Sexwise (0800 282930)
• Family Planning association (0845 310 1334)
• Brook (0800 018 5023)

What to do if you think you might be pregnant

Accurate pregnancy tests can be purchased from chemists. If you believe that you might be pregnant you would be recommended to visit your GP or practice nurse for advice and support. If you feel this is not appropriate you might contact the Garden Clinic (01753 635302) or speak to a school nurse (01753 636799 or 01753 638441) or health visitor (01753 638431 or 01753 636500).

• Counselling services are available for young people in Maidenhead at No.22 Counselling Centre (01628 636661) or Youth Talk in Windsor (01753 842444)
• Childline offer young people a free national 24 hour help, advice and support service (0800 1111)
• Parents of teenagers can contact the free helpline Parentline (0808 800 2222)

Supporting Young Parents

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is committed to supporting and encouraging young parents to continue with education or training during pregnancy and after the birth. Individual support is offered by a Connexions Personal Advisor who liases as appropriate with the relevant agencies such as midwifery and health visitors, school/college, educational welfare team, childcare, housing, benefits etc.
To find out more :

• Connexions  0845 408 5002
• The Education Welfare Team 01628 683172
• Early Years and Childcare Team 01628 507587
• Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator 07887 993359

Information on benefits can be obtained from Connexions or the Maternity Alliance

Care to Learn Scheme

Care to Learn is a scheme for all young parents designed to provide information, guidance and funding for childcare and extra travel. Care to Learn will fund childcare and extra travel costs (up to a maximum of £5,125 per child per year) for any young parent under 19 years taking any publicly funded course or training opportunity in school, sixth form settings, Colleges of Further Education or attending courses delivered by any learning provider funded by the Learning Skills Council, the EU or local government (including E2E or an apprenticeship with non employed status).

Young parents can choose their preferred childcare as long as it is OFSTED registered. Care to Learn is not means tested and has no direct effect on a families benefit entitlement. To find out more to about Care To Learn contact Connexions (0845 408 5002) or to discuss the childcare options that might suit you contact Early Years And Childcare Team (01628 507587).

Young parents groups in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

There are currently two young parents groups in the borough -transport can be arranged if necessary.

• Bumps and Babes is based in Windsor at the Manor Youth Centre on Tuesdays from 12-2 and welcomes young parents and their children to join in their varied range of activities or just come along for a chat. Contact Terry on 01753 842757 or Marnie on 01753 636523 for further details.
• In Maidenhead the Recharge Café in Queen Street offers the opportunity to call in on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10-3 to meet other young parents. Contact Linda or Hannah on 01628 789845.