Teenage pregnancy rates in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are continuing to fall, according to the most recent published figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The figure for the first quarter of 2016 shows less than 14 conception per 1,000 girls aged 15-17, and an average of 16 conceptions per 1,000 women aged 15-17 for 2015. This marks a 21 per cent reduction from the same period the previous year, and in total teenage pregnancies have more than halved since the national reduction strategy began in 1999.

To reduce teenage conception rates, good access to contraception services along with high quality relationships and sex education is needed to help young people make healthier choices and manage their sexual health. We’re making sure that more and more people who work with teenagers are getting training, which is vital in keeping the rates low.

As well as education, we need to continue ensuring contraception is available for all young people, as well as targeted support for those who face additional pressures. Being pregnant as a teenager can start a downward spiral. Being a teenage mum means that a girl is more likely to drop out of school, be less likely to support themselves, face higher rates of poverty and more reliant on the welfare system. By making education compulsory in schools, and having easy to access contraception we’re not only reducing the number of teenage pregnancies, but raising aspirations for many young people.

Dr Caroline Court, interim director of wellbeing and public health for Cornwall Council, said: “Education programmes and easier access to contraception have played a part in bringing down teenage pregnancy rates, along with access to friendly, non-judgemental staff. This means young people are better equipped to delay having sex until they are ready and when they are they know how to use contraception effectively.

“Access to a full range of contraception across the county is available through pharmacy, C-CARD, GPs and contraceptive and sexual health services such as Brook and the Sexual Health Hub at Royal Cornwall Hospitals. We know that young people want to access information and services in a different way. Going forward we hope to be able to continue this great work with innovative new online services, making it even easier to get information and services”.

Councillor Sally Hawken, cabinet member for children and wellbeing, added: “The continued reduction in conception rates is down to the hard work and determination of a wide range of partners in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly working in many organisations across health, education and social care sectors.

“We can’t afford to be complacent because we are doing so well, we need to continue working innovatively and collaboratively to do our best for young people in Cornwall”.

Advice on sexual health, contraception and location of C-Card and sexual health services can be accessed on the Cornwall SHAC website at cornwallshac.org.uk