There is a
Learning module hosted by the British Medical Journal and NICE that will guide practitioners through the implementation of this advice. It is free for all - clicking on the link above will lead you to a registration page that will ask you to register, and you can access the training from there.
the relevant NICE guidelines for sexual health are linked to
Here, and they include this advice:
Recommendation 5
Who is the target population?
Vulnerable young people aged under 18. This may include young people:
- From disadvantaged backgrounds
- Who are in – or leaving – care
- Who have low educational attainment.
For a more detailed definition of vulnerable young people see Department for Education and Skills (2006)
Who should take action?
- GPs, nurses and other clinicians working in healthcare settings such as primary care, community contraceptive services, antenatal and postnatal care, abortion and GUM services, drug/alcohol misuse and youth clinics, and pharmacies.
- GPs, nurses and other clinicians working in non-healthcare settings such as schools and other education and outreach centres.
What action should they take?
- Where appropriate, provide one to one sexual health advice on:
- how to prevent and/or get tested for STIs and how to prevent unwanted pregnancies
- All methods of reversible contraception, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) (in line with NICE clinical guideline 30)
- How to get and use emergency contraception
- Other reproductive issues and concerns.
- Provide supporting information on the above in an appropriate format.
Recommendation 6
Who is the target population?
Vulnerable young women aged under 18 who are pregnant or who are already mothers. This may include young women:
- From disadvantaged backgrounds
- Who are in – or leaving – care
- Who have low educational attainment.
For a more detailed definition of vulnerable young people see Department for Education and Skills (2006)
Who should take action?
Midwives and health visitors who provide antenatal, postnatal and child development services
What action should they take?
- Regularly visit vulnerable women aged under 18 who are pregnant or who are already mothers.
- Discuss with them and their partner (where appropriate) how to prevent or get tested for STIs and how to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The discussion should cover:
- all methods of reversible contraception, including LARC (in line with NICE clinical guideline 30), and how to get and use emergency contraception
- health promotion advice, in line with NICE guidance on postnatal care (NICE clinical guideline 37)
- opportunities for returning to education, training and employment in the future.
- Provide supporting information in an appropriate format.
- Where appropriate, refer the young woman to the relevant agencies, including services concerned with reintegration into education and work.