New guidance for health professionals on providing contraceptive, sexual and reproductive health services for under 16s

This week new guidance for health professionals was published by the government on providing contraceptive, sexual and reproductive health services for under 16s. The guidance clarifies that such advice can be given without parental knowledge or consent. However, health workers must always encourage a young person to talk to their parent or carer or another trusted adult and the right to confidentiality is not absolute.

Parentline Plus works to support parents to talk about sex and relationships with their children, particularly teenagers and young people. All the research shows that where parents can talk to their children openly about these issues, the more likely it is that a young person will delay sexual activity and take on board messages about safer sex and the use of contraception.

Through our work with parents we will ensure that they understand the importance that young people put on the issue of confidentiality and the availability of sexual health services for under 16’s, emphasising that this does not in any way mean that young people will be sexually active from an early age, just because they can get help and advice from a health professional. Very few young people are sexually active before they are sixteen - the average age for first sex remains constant at 16 ¾. Equally the charity will be emphasising that the health and wellbeing of the young person comes first and if they are at all at risk, the health professional concerned will involve all the relevant parties.

We know already that most parents understand their young people’s right to confidential contraceptive and sexual health services. Recent research with parents show that t hree quarters of parents [with a child aged 10 to 17 yrs] agree that young people under 16 should have access to confidential contraception advice. Seven out of 10 parents agree that is right that young people aged under 16 years are given access to contraception free of charge.