Hackney and the City’s Teenage Pregnancy Partnership has won a prestigious award for Improving Health and Reducing Inequalities at the London Health and Social Care Awards 2008 . The Award recognises the partnership for achieving a fall in teenage conception rates of 28% since 1998, more than double the national average.

Alan Wood, Hackney’s Director of Children’s Services and Chief Executive of The Learning Trust said:
“The award is well-deserved recognition of the accomplishments of the teenage pregnancy partnership. The difference that their work makes to the future prospects of teenagers in the Borough is outstanding”.

Hackney’s teenage pregnancy programme brings together local service providers, such as the Homerton Hospital, the PCT, the Council and the Learning Trust, together with the community and voluntary sector, and young people themselves. It is the biggest in the country, with the majority of its funding coming from Team Hackney, the local strategic partnership.

The programme includes a range of measures including grants to help young mothers with childcare while they are studying, peer mentoring for young people, one-to-one advice on contraception, and counselling and other forms of support and advice.

The programme is part of the Government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, launched by the Prime Minister in 1999, which aims to halve the under 18 conception rate by 2010. Hackney’s target is to reduce this rate by 60%.


Jacqui Harvey, Chief Executive for City and Hackney Teaching PCT said:
“I’m delighted to see the efforts of all those involved being recognized with such a prestigious award.”

George Greener, Chair of NHS London and chair of the judging panel said:
“All the finalists should be congratulated on their excellent work. The winners have shown outstanding achievements against our judging criteria and I and the judging panel wish them well in the national awards in July.”

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