DEPARTMENT FOR
INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release (050) issued by COI
News Distribution Service on 7 May 2009
* £2m funding for
2009/10 to support enhanced FE sexual health services
Colleges have today been urged to improve their sexual health
services by Further Education Minister Sion Simon.
The Minister pushed for all colleges to offer a minimum level of
sexual health provision to include screening for sexually
transmitted infections and providing contraception to Further
Education students. He also congratulated the colleges which
already excel in sexual health provision, but said it was
unacceptable that some FE colleges do not offer any such support.
In an address to delegates at a national conference to discuss
sexual health services in colleges, Mr Simon said:
"We need to ensure that all colleges offer at least basic
services and work to improve the quality of sexual health services
generally. The most important services colleges can offer are
preventative. And they do society as a whole a great service when
they provide a safe, confidential space where young people can
come and talk to a health expert one to one."
Mr Simon also expressed concern that insufficient sexual health
provision is linked to drop out rates in colleges:
"FE exists to help young people and adults alike to gain the
skills and qualifications they need to achieve success in life.
But too many young learners in FE drop out early - a significant
number because of health and personal problems.
"Easier access to sexual health services in FE settings can
be an important means of helping young people avoid unintended
conceptions - and helps young parents avoid unintended second pregnancies.
"If retention and attainments are critical measures used to
calculate a college's funding doesn't it make sense in
terms of pure self-interest for providers to promote the sexual
health of their learners?"
Government will provide £2m in 2009/10 under the Healthy FE
Programme to support colleges in developing their sexual health
services. This includes an increased sum of £1.6m to Strategic
Health Authorities to strengthen delivery partnerships with
Primary Care Trusts. Many colleges offer some level of sexual
health service to students from basic provision of contraception
and information about local services, to more comprehensive
support such as a sexual health nurse and Chlamydia testing.
The conference, arranged jointly by the Department for Innovation
Universities and Skills (DIUS), Department for Children, Schools
and Families (DCSF), Department of Health (DH) and the Association
of Colleges (AoC) showcased best practice, offered support to
colleges setting up sexual health services and updated delegates
on the work of cross-government initiatives to improve the health
and well-being of young people.
Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children Young People and Families, said:
"It is vital that young people have access to confidential
advice and support on a range of health issues, especially on
relationships and sexual health. Evidence shows us that more
teenagers are engaging in risky behaviour and lack of
contraceptive use is resulting in an increase in conception
leading to abortion. So the message in our strategy has always
been clear: teenagers should be encouraged to delay early sexual
activity, but to use contraception when they do become sexually
active. We know that on-site health advice in further education
colleges, secondary schools and other youth settings is more
attractive to young people and will help address the 80% of under
18 conceptions among 16-17 year olds. It also means that young
people need to take less time away from learning to attend medical
appointments, can quickly address any concerns that are impacting
on their learning and can ultimately help prevent young women
having to drop out of learning altogether due to an unplanned pregnancy."
Notes to editors:
1. The conference: 'The role of Colleges in the Provision of
Sexual Health: a Step Change in Provision' took place in
London on 7 May 2009
2. The Healthy FE Programme is funded by the Department of Health.
3. Further information can be found at the Sex Education Forum
website: http://www.ncb.org.uk/Page.asp?originx_5621wo_3444736000085f11g_2007221957e
For further information, please contact the DIUS press office on
020 3300 8927.