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1.3.8 Young People and Sexual Relationships Policy

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

Overview

The personal relationship policy has been developed to provide support and guidance for youth workers, parents, carers, associated volunteers and any other professional working with young people from across the borough, in order that young people can receive information, advice and guidance about relationships and sex, safely and responsibly.

Target Group

This policy is to ensure that all young people up to the age of 19 (under 25 for young people with a learning disability) who live in the Dudley Borough, have access to free relationship and sexual health advice.


Contents

  1. Aim of the Policy
  2. Purposes of the Policy
  3. Key Legislation and Guidance affecting this Policy
  4. Equality and Diversity
  5. Confidentiality
  6. Best Practice
  7. Training and Development

    Appendix 1: The Legal Framework

    Appendix 2: Safeguarding Sexually Active Young People

    Appendix 3: Teenage Pregnancy Care Pathway


1. Aim of the Policy

The aim of this policy is for Respect Yourself Campaign to provide clarity for youth workers, carers, associated volunteers and any other professional working with young people from across the borough, on sexual health and personal relationships.  Furthermore, it aims to promote best practice so professionals are able to support the personal and sexual development of young people in making informed choices about their health and wellbeing.


2. Purposes of the Policy

  • To promote, respect and support the rights and choices of Dudley young people to access sexual health information and services;
  • To define the responsibilities of youth workers, carers, associated volunteers and any other professional working with young people from across the borough, in proactively delivering sexual health information to young people and referring to appropriate services;
  • To promote anti-discriminatory practice, challenging oppressions and respecting diversities e.g. race, gender, religion, disability, sexuality;
  • To ensure that young people have access to appropriate information on sexual health and relationships. This is not to encourage sexual activity, but to provide young people with information to support them to make informed choices.


3. Key Legislation and Guidance affecting this Policy

Youth workers, parents, carers, associated volunteers and any other professional working with young people from across the borough, have duties and responsibilities to young people with regard to their personal and sexual development. 

The following highlights some of the key legislation and guidance affecting this policy:

The Fraser Guidelines

The Fraser Guidelines, which are set out in the Department of Health Circular on Family Planning Services for Young People issued in March 1986 indicates that doctors may provide contraceptive advice to a young person under the age of consent providing the following are satisfied:

  • That the young person could understand the doctor's advice and had sufficient maturity to understand what was involved in terms of the moral, social and emotional implications;
  • That the doctor could not persuade the young person to inform the parents/guardian, nor to allow the doctor to inform them, that contraceptive advice was being sought;
  • That the young person would be very likely to begin or to continue having sexual intercourse with or without contraception;
  • That without contraception advice and treatment the young person's physical and mental health, or both, would be likely to suffer;
  • That the young person's best interests are required the doctor to give contraceptive advice, treatment or both, without parental consent.

If the young person is unable or unwilling to discuss the matter with a parent, the doctor or health professional is able to use his or her "clinical judgment" and may offer advice or treatment provided they believe the client is mature enough to understand it.  The fact that an appointment has been made and any treatment or advice given must also be kept confidential.

A doctor must justify any breach or confidentiality as being in the patient's best medical interests.

Sexual Offences Act 2003

The Act makes it clear that a person does not commit an offence is he/she acts for the purpose of:

  • Protecting the child from any sexually transmitted infection; or
  • Protecting the physical safety of the child; or
  • Preventing the child from becoming pregnant; or
  • Promoting the child's emotional well-being by the giving of advice.

As long as he/she does not act for the purpose of causing or encouraging the activity constituting an offence or the child's participation in it.

Abuse of Trust

Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 it is an offence for a person in a position of trust (aged 18 or over) to have sexual intercourse or engage in any other sexual activity with, or directed towards, a person under the age of 18 who they have responsibility for.  This would apply to anyone engaging in a sexual relationship with a young person they are working with.

Age Of Consent

The age of consent for all young people in England, Scotland and Wales, is 16, regardless of their sexual orientation. 

It is a criminal offence for a boy or man to have intercourse or sexual contact of any kind with another person under the age of 16.

A girl under the age of 16, in the eyes of the law, is unable to consent to any form of sexual activity or intercourse, however, a male over the age of 10 can commit offences involving sexual activity or intercourse.

A woman aged over 16 can be charged with indecent assault for any kind of sexual contact with another girl under 16.

All young people have the right to access free confidential*, sexual health advice and guidance regardless of their age, and over the age of 13, contraceptive services.

For age of consent to Medical Treatment, see Appendix 1: The Legal Framework.

Young People with Learning Difficulties

A person with learning difficulties under the age of 16 is protected by law in exactly the same way as any young person under the age of consent.

Post 16, the Fraser Guidelines must be applied to establish competence and understanding.

Social Media

There is a growing number of young people taking and sharing indecent photos, not only of themselves, but also of friends and partners through SMS on mobile phones and social networking sites.

The taking of such photographs is often due to children and young people taking risks and pushing boundaries as they become more sexually active and socially aware.

The Protection of Children Act 1978 states that "It is a crime to take, make, permit to take, distribute, show, possess, possess with intent to distribute, or to advertise indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of any person below the age of 18". 

ACPO (the Association of Chief Officers of Police) acknowledges that the consequences can be far reaching including being placed on the sex offenders register, but "does not support the prosecution or criminalisation of children for taking indecent images of themselves and sharing them."


4. Equality and Diversity

When promoting issues of sexual health, staff must always take into account issues of race, culture, gender, religion, disability, sexuality and HIV status, as they relate to the young person.

It is recognised that the staff hold their own cultural, religious and moral beliefs and whilst they will not be expected to alter those beliefs, they should not, however, impose those beliefs on young people, where they differ from the guidance within this policy.

This policy is set within Dudley's framework of anti-discriminatory practice.

In the context of sexual health, anti-discriminatory practice will lead to:

  • The service addressing the diverse needs and beliefs of the children and young people who use the service;
  • A commitment to provide services which are sensitive to, and respectful of, individual needs and beliefs;
  • The right of children and young people to receive a service that is free from judgments that might harm their personal and social development;
  • The service implementing its duty to provide children and young people with the information and support needed to challenge these attitudes;
  • The promotion and implementation of interventions which redress the inequalities often faced by children and young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, ethnic minority groups and/or disabled.


5. Confidentiality

There is no law regarding talking about sex and relationships with young people, therefore, there is no legal requirement to seek parental consent unless the young person is under 13 or has learning difficulties.  The duty of confidentiality owed to a person under 16 is as great as that owed to any other person except in the most exceptional circumstances.

Youth workers, carers, associated volunteers and any other professional working with young people from across the borough need to be clear about their local confidentiality procedures and safeguarding young people protocols (see Appendix 2: Safeguarding Sexually Active Young People).

Breaching Confidentiality

Staff should not breach confidentiality just because someone is doing, or thinking of doing, something that does not meet with their approval, or fit in with their personal values, beliefs or preferences.  Any unnecessary breach in confidentiality may lead to an entire group of children and young people losing trust in the service as a whole, and feeling unable to approach any staff member for advice or help on any sensitive issue.  There may also be legal actions, which a child or young person can take if information has been disclosed without their consent.

A staff member who feels that information should be disclosed, but has doubts, should discuss the issues first with their line manager or direct line of support to clarify their concerns and their thinking, and then to work with the child or young person concerned.


6. Best Practice

Condoms

This policy supports for youth workers, carers, associated volunteers and any other professional working with young people from across the borough, giving condoms to young people provided that they have undertaken the Condom Distribution Training. 

Contraception

This policy supports youth workers, carers, associated volunteers and any other professional working with young people from across the borough, to give young people information on sexual health and contraception, and details of where and how to access local services. 

Should a young person under the age of 13 access your service for contraception, Chlamydia or pregnancy testing, they should be signposted, referred or supported to access a local young persons' contraception and sexual health service.

Youth workers, carers, associated volunteers and any other professional working with young people from across the borough can provide information on available methods of contraception and the importance of using condoms to help protect against sexually transmitted infections, however, they are not health professionals and they SHOULD NOT GIVE ADVICE on which method of contraception to use.

Pregnancy Testing

This policy supports youth workers, carers, associated volunteers and any other professional working with young people from across the borough to carry out a pregnancy test provided that they have undertaken the Pregnancy Testing Training.  See Appendix 3: Teenage Pregnancy Care Pathway


7. Training and Development

Training is available, through Respect Yourself Campaign for youth workers, carers, associated volunteers and any other professional working with young people from across the borough. 


Appendix 1: The Legal Framework

Age of Consent to Medical Treatment

Children who are judged able to give consent cannot be medically examined or treated without their consent.  The responsible authority should draw the child's attention to his/her right to give or refuse consent to examination or treatment.  The doctor(s) decides whether a young person is capable of giving/withholding consent and understanding the consequences of their action.

Abortion

Abortion in England and Wales is legal, provided that it is carried out by a registered medical practitioner.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have recently established new guidelines that state that a woman should not have to wait longer than three weeks from the initial referral for an abortion.

A girl over the age of 16 or over can consent to an abortion or any other medical treatment in her own right.  She cannot be forced to have an abortion if she does not want one.

Sometimes a girl under the age of 16 can legally consent to an abortion without parental knowledge.  In such instances the Fraser Guidelines for contraception can also be applied to abortion.  In practice, however, a doctor would strongly encourage a girl to gain the consent of a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult.

The consent from the abortion must be signed by 2 doctors and they must agree:

  1. Up to 24 weeks;

    That the pregnancy has not exceeded its 24th week and that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of a pregnant woman or any existing children of her family;
  2. No Time Limits;
    • That the termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman; or
    • That the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated; or
    • That there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities so as to be seriously handicapped.

(Abortion Act 1967, as amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990)


Appendix 2: Safeguarding Sexually Active Young People

Click here for Appendix 2: Safeguarding Sexually Active Young People


Appendix 3: Teenage Pregnancy Care Pathway

Click here for Teenage Pregnancy Care Pathway Flowchart

Emergency Hormonal Contraception/COIL

  • If the young person has had unprotected sex in the last 72 hours emergency hormonal contraception can be accessed free at various pharmacies across Dudley-see Dudley Community Services Website for list;
  • If it is more than 72 hours but within 5 days, a coil can be fitted and the young person needs to be referred to contraceptive services at BROOK or CASH (Contraception and Sexual Health) as soon as possible;
  • Emergency Hormonal Contraception that can be taken upto 120 hours after unprotected sex is available free from BROOK or CASH;

  • Ella One (Tablets upto 120hrs);
  • Coil Upto 120 hours-most effective);
  • Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC)-Levonelle (upto 72 hours).

CONTACT BROOK or CASH FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND/OR IF MORE THAN 72 HOURS SINCE UNPROTECTED SEX

Who to Talk to?

The following information highlights the services that offer advice, counselling and support about pregnancy testing, pregnancy choices, contraception and other additional support a young person may need:-

Pregnancy testing

If a young person thinks that they may be pregnant, they need to carry out a pregnancy test as soon as possible. Pregnancy tests can be carried out free of charge by:

  • Brook;
  • Contraception and Sexual Health (CASH);
  • GP's Surgeries;
  • Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) (offered as part of general screening process);
  • School Health Advisor;
  • The What?;
  • Children's Centres;
  • Youth Service.

Alternatively they can go to a pharmacy and buy a home pregnancy test and the results will take a few minutes. A fee may be charged for the pregnancy test in the following services:

  • British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS);
  • Some pharmacies.

Websites for further information

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Dudley NHS

Negative pregnancy test result

If a young person discovers they are not pregnant, it is important that they are offered advice on their long term contraceptive needs, their risk of sexually transmitted infections and wider sexual health issues. Refer for free and confidential advice and information:

  • Brook;
  • Contraception and Sexual Health Service  (CASH);
  • GUM Dudley;
  • School Health Advisor;
  • GP;
  • Connexions;
  • Dudley Youth Service;
  • Peer led College Drop Ins - FISH.

A young person can register with any GP of their choosing for contraceptive advice and services.

Positive pregnancy test result

If a pregnancy test result is positive, the young person can attend BROOK or CASH or see their GP.

The young person will have 3 options:

  1. To continue with the pregnancy and keep the baby;
  2. To continue with the pregnancy and have the baby adopted;
  3. To have a termination (maximum time limit is 24 weeks).

Pregnancy Decision

These services listed below offer guidance and information to support young people in Dudley.

The pregnant teenager may wish to discuss her pregnancy and seek support from such agencies, when she initially finds out she is pregnant. There must be no 'wrong door' for young people but referral on for specialist support and counselling around the pregnancy decision is essential.

  • School Health Advisor;
  • Youth Worker;
  • Connexions;
  • Staff in schools and other educational settings;
  • Teenage Pregnancy Education Support Officer;
  • Children's Centre Family support workers;
  • Respect Yourself Campaign.

All the services listed below offer free and confidential advice and specialist counselling support around the pregnancy decision, to assist young people in making the choice of whether to continue the pregnancy and keep the child, continue the pregnancy and have the baby adopted or terminate the pregnancy

  • Brook;
  • Contraception & Sexual Health Services;
  • The What?
  • For more information about adoption, call the Adoption Team: 01384 815891.

Termination of pregnancy

If a young person decides on termination, it should be arranged as soon as possible. The services listed below are able to discuss the issues and provide clear, non-judgemental information to help with the decision and to explain the different types of termination available.

  • NHS terminations;
  • British pregnancy advisory service;
  • Calthorpe will offer Termination Of Pregnancy in Dudley borough in 2010.

Dudley offers a single referral system from one of the following:

  • Self Refer (young people can now contact the 2 termination providers BPAS and Calthorpe Clinic in Birmingham directly and self refer for a termination);
  • Brook;
  • Contraceptive & Sexual Health (CASH) Service;
  • GP;
  • Alternatively the young person can seek a private termination. Private clinics charge between £400-£750. The longer the pregnancy continues, the more expensive the procedure will become.

Continuing with pregnancy

If a young person decides to continue with the pregnancy, there are many points of contact to help support them.

Firstly the young person should contact her GP or midwife. This will ensure that she receives appropriate advice and care during her pregnancy and birth. Midwives provide care for women and their babies throughout pregnancy, during and up to 28 days after birth.

A Notification of a Pregnant Teenager/Parent to be Form should be completed and sent to the Respect Yourself Campaign, formally Teenage Pregnancy Partnership. This collates information for the central database, the collection of which is a government requirement and ensures co-ordination of Support, Information, Advice and Guidance. The referral is disseminated to Connexions and the young person's local children's centre so that a Specialist Connexions PA and/or a specialist Family Support Worker/Outreach Worker from the Children's Centre can then offer support dependant on need. This support is linked into the Respect Yourself Campaign. It is imperative that wherever possible, information about a young father to be/young father, should also be notified to the Respect Yourself Campaign so that support can also be co-ordinated for young men.

Contact details: 7th Floor Falcon House, 6 the Minories, Dudley, DY2 8PG; Telephone 01384813653 Fax: 01384 815859.

An assessment of the pregnant teenagers is undertaken to assess the young person's needs and refer accordingly. Where appropriate (especially in the case of young parents not supported by family) a Common Assessment Framework should be undertaken.

Contraception Plan

During the young person's pregnancy the midwife will discuss contraceptive choices as part of the contraception plan. This plan will then be forwarded to the Respect Yourself Campaign and logged within the notes on the database. Post delivery the sexual health outreach nurse will arrange to visit the young person and provide their choice of contraception.

Sexual Health Outreach Nurse

A sexual health outreach nurse has been seconded from CASH (Contraception and Sexual Health) services, to Respect Yourself Campaign, (RYC); specifically to work with those most at risk of teenage pregnancy and prevent subsequent unplanned pregnancies. The nurse will meet young people where it is most convenient for them for their initial consultation regarding contraception and sexual health issues. The aims of this post are to encourage the use of Long Acting Reversible Contraception, (LARC) and to support young people into accessing mainstream services. In conjunction with other initiatives, this will contribute to the overall strategy to reduce teenage conceptions across Dudley.

To seek advice regarding referral of a young person you are working with, contact Lisa Johnson, on:- 07920450876 or through the RYC office on:- 01384 813653. Please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Adoption

Adoption provides a child with new legal parents who take over the responsibilities of bringing up that child. Once made, an adoption order cannot be revoked. If the young person is thinking of adoption they, or one of the professionals working with them, should contact the Adoption Service who will provide initial information and leaflets and will direct you to the appropriate Children's and families assessment team. The young person can talk confidentially to a Social Worker about what is involved.

There is ample opportunity to discuss the issues of concern with professionals. Nothing definite will be arranged until after the birth of the baby. However, it should be emphasised to the young parent that once they decide on adoption, at the end of the process, adoption is final. There is the potential for the young person to exchange annual news through the Adoption Service Letterbox. The young person will be supported throughout the process to ensure they have made the right decision.

Antenatal Care

In addition to the universal antenatal support a young pregnant teenager should also expect the following:

  • Chlamydia screening;
  • Discussion by community midwife about methods of contraception at first contact and opportunistically throughout the antenatal period;
  • Engaging young fathers in maternity care and other services;
  • Provision of antenatal and postnatal parenting education that focuses on the baby's early needs and improves the quality of relationship between the parents and child such as:
    • Breast feeding - starts at booking visit;
    • Healthy eating;
    • Smoking cessation.

Support during labour

  • Midwife;
  • Doctor (where and if appropriate);
  • Two personal support people.

Support for those that have miscarriage

  • The woman is offered contact and/or a visit by the community midwife;
  • Follow-up and contact from Specialist Connexions Advisor;
  • Dudley DGOH Foundation Trust Counsellors (For information contact Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit at Russell's Hall Hospital:- Telephone 01384 456111 Ext: 3875);
  • Tommy's (Let's talk baby) website.

Postnatal Care

The Community midwife visits the young person at home, the day following discharge from hospital. Care is planned in conjunction with the young woman subject to her needs. The midwife can visit up to 28 days following the baby's birth.

Sexual Health Outreach Nurse will arrange to visit the most vulnerable young women at home following delivery and discharge from hospital and arrange subsequent visits, as per protocol, in order to reduce the risk of subsequent unplanned pregnancies.

The Health visitor makes a home visit between 10-14 days, many will have made contact with the pregnant woman during pregnancy. The HV offers ongoing support with feeding, contraception, parenting, child development, immunisations and much more, providing holistic support to the family until the child starts school.

Support for parent(s) and child

In Dudley, there are many organisations and groups that can help support young parents after they have had a baby

  • Health Visitors will come and see parent(s) and offer support;
  • Children's Centres offer support to parents on a one to one basis, or within a group setting. Children's Centres are located throughout Dudley and details of individual service offered within each centre can be found on the Children's Centres website through Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council website or by contacting them direct;
  • Young Parents Groups provide peer as well as professional support, information and advice. The groups provide young parents with the opportunity to undertake learning in a relaxed and informal manner, including courses such as Paediatric First Aid and Early Start. Details from the Respect Yourself Campaign;
  • Specialist Connexions PA's linked to the Respect Yourself Campaign, provide a wide range of support, information, advice and guidance, with a particular focus on assisting young parents into education, employment or training;
  • Family information Service can provide details of other support available for young parents and their children;
  • Where appropriate Children's Specialist Services (Social Care) may need to be involved. A referral should be made through the relevant safeguarding and child protection channels within your organisation.

Continuing Education

In Dudley, if a young person becomes pregnant whilst of statutory school age, the education provider should contact the Teenage Pregnancy Education Support Officer, (TPESO), through the Respect Yourself Campaign or Cherry Tree Learning Centre. Guidelines/Protocols are in place for the continuing education of a young person who becomes pregnant whilst of statutory school age and these must be followed. The usual course of events would be for the young woman to continue in her current educational establishment, usually until around 38 weeks of pregnancy. The Teenage Pregnancy Education Support Officer would liaise closely with the educational establishment; parents/carers and young person to ensure her educational needs are met during the pregnancy and after the birth.  

The Specialist Connexions PA's, linked to the Respect Yourself Campaign, provides support to young parents to be/young parents, who are no longer of statutory school age, to assist them into education, employment or training.

Education/Employment Support:

  • Care to learn - to give financial support to teenage mums and dads who want to continue with their education and need help with the cost of childcare;
  • Childcare pilot - offers free childcare for 2 year olds;
  • Education maintenance allowance - to help with day-to-day costs for a young person who is in Further Education. For young parents, this is not means tested and will not affect benefit payments;
  • Foundation Learning;
  • Young Mums to be Course;
  • Parenting Programme.

Supports for Dads

Information relating to young fathers should be collected by all agencies working with young people at initial contact. Contraceptive advice and information should also be given to young fathers.

The Respect Yourself Campaign is working in partnership with other agencies to close the gaps and improve service provision for young fathers, recognising the varying needs of young fathers.

Children's Centres provide support for fathers in contact with their children, offering 'Dad's groups' at weekends and evenings, as well as many other activities, which are inclusive to fathers-see Dudley Children's Centres Website for details.

A drop-in for young father's is held at Stourbridge Children and Family Centre. This provides an informal space for all young fathers whether they have contact with their children or not. Providing information/signposting and support- see Dudley Children's Centres Website for details.

For further information around fatherhood contact:

  • Fathers direct;
  • Families need fathers.

Benefits and Rights

Healthy Start-for all pregnant women aged under-18, regardless of parental income Healthy Start nhs website for more information.

Information on Benefits is provided through the Job Centre Plus. A young parent to be/young parent, aged under 18 must make an appointment through Job Centre plus to see the Young Person's Advisor for Under 18's, for expert advice, as benefits and entitlements for this age group are complex and are different to those aged over 18. Young parents under the age of 16 are not entitled to any benefits in their own rights but it is important that their parent(s) seek advice from Job Centre Plus to ensure they have all the information required in order to make a claim on the young person's behalf.

The following services offer support:

  • Job Centre plus;
  • Citizens advice bureau;
  • Child tax credit helpline;
  • Child trust fund helpline.

Accommodation

A young person cannot usually hold a tenancy until the age of 18yrs, but where a young woman is aged 16 or 17 and is pregnant, or has a child living with her, they could be accommodated through local authority housing. Prior to a pregnant teenager/young parent being housed, it is a recommendation that they are offered 'floating support', through either Bromford Housing or Heantun Housing. This support service ensures that the young parent to be/parent has information, advice and support around maintaining a successful tenancy- such as budgeting, applying for grants, life skills and parenting support being just some examples of the support offered. Should a young parent need additional support then 'Supported accommodation is offered through Bromford Housing. This is a fixed scheme of 9 flats in Dudley for young parents. Young parents can be accommodated for a minimum of 6 months up to 2 years. Support is available Monday-Friday during office hours and key work is an essential part of the support process, to ensure the 'move-on' to an independent tenancy is successful. Referrals should be made via the Respect Yourself Campaign or Dudley MBC Housing Services.

The following services offer accommodation advice and/or support:

  • Heantun Housing;
  • Bromford Housing;
  • Housing Services (Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council);
  • Connexions Personal Advisors-have knowledge of housing issues and refer on for more specialist support.

Smoking cessation advice

Dudley's Stop Smoking team: Dudley's Stop Smoking Team offers a specialist service for all pregnant women, partners and their families and offer home visits, one to one support and free nicotine replacement therapy. Support is also offered postnatally

Free phone 0800 0850 652
Website: Dudley Stop Smoking

Substance/ alcohol misuse

In Dudley there is a specific treatment service that works with young people under the age of 18 who use drugs or alcohol (The Zone). The service has recently re-located to 27 - 29 Stone Street, Dudley. The Zone will continue to support teenagers with any substance use who are pregnant or have children. The Zone has a health advisor who can offer health assessments, pregnancy testing, Chlamydia testing, condom distribution and provide specific interventions where appropriate. The Zone will liaise directly with the specialist midwife at Russell's Hall Hospital to ensure there is continuity around substitute prescribed medication and ongoing support and care.

Depression

If there are concerns that a young person post birth/post termination may be depressed the following services can help

  • Midwife;
  • Health Visitor;
  • GP;
  • Dudley CAMHS Service.

Childcare

  • Family Information Service (previously Children's Information Service);
  • Early Years Foundation Stage, Childcare and Extended Services Unit", for  information on Nurseries, Children's Centres, Childcare and so on.

Contact Numbers

Organisation Contact Details

Adoption Teams

Dudley Adoption Services (Boroughwide advice and guidance about adoption)

Dudley Children & Families Assessment Teams
Brierley Hill
Dudley
Halesowen / Stourbridge

01384 815891 (Duty: 9.30-12.30)

01384 803000
01384 813200
01384 815900
Brook 01384 239001
Barnados 01384 411722
British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) 08457 304030
Bromford Housing 0121 522 2734
Contraception and Sexual Health (CASH) 01384 366466 - Central Clinic
Connexions 01384 811400
Children's Centre (depending on area) Various
Calthorpe Clinic 0121 455 7585
Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB) 01384 816066 / 6081
Cherry Tree Learning Centre 01384 813739
Dudley Respect Yourself Campaign 01384 813653
Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) 01384 456111 ext 3900 / 3904
GP Surgeries (depending on area) Various
Heantun Housing - Bilston 01902 571100 / 571142
Housing Services (Dudley MBC) 0300 5552345 - Dudley Council Plus
Job Centre Plus 0845 604 3719
Peer Led College Drop-in's (FISH)
Dudley
Halesowen
Stourbridge

01384 455433
0121 550 1451
01384 344344
Russell's Hall Hospital 01384 456111
School Health Advisors (SHA)
Halesowen
Stourbridge
Brierley Hill / Kingswinford
Sedgley
Dudley

0121 602 8814 / 5
01384 366569
01384 366371
01902 575905
01384 366212 / 366502
Pharmacies (depending on area) Various-PCT Website for contact details or RYC texting service
Smoking Cessation Dudley Team 0800 0850 652 (free phone)
The What? Centre 01384 379992
Youth Service - Parson's Street 01384 815183
The Zone 01384 241440

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