To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to introduce additional programmes over the next academic year for students in the further education sector to raise awareness of unwanted pregnancies amongst young people. (222634)

I have been asked to reply:

In 2007, DCSF and DH issued guidance to FE colleges and primary care trusts (PCTs) on setting up sexual health advice services in FE settings. Such services serve to improve young people's access to early advice and treatment, by locating services in places that fit with young people's daily lives. A mapping survey in 2008 established that around 80 per cent. of FE colleges now have on-site services. The scope of each service is determined locally by the college's governing body, in negotiation with the PCT which provides the necessary health professional input. In some colleges, provision is limited to condom distribution schemes, whereas in others a wider range of services are available, including pregnancy testing, STI screening, and provision of a broad range of contraception, including emergency contraception.

Unlike schools, colleges are not required to provide sex education, although the majority of colleges do cover sexual health issues within their tutorial programmes.

More broadly, DH announced in July that it would be developing a ‘Healthy Colleges’ initiative that would put in place a framework—based on the National Healthy Schools programme—to allow FE colleges to better respond to the health needs of their students. Consultation is now underway with colleges, FE students and other stakeholders to determine the detailed design and implementation strategy for the ‘Healthy Colleges’ initiative.