• Teenage Pregnancy
• Paediatrics/Neonatal (children with a variety of medical conditions)
• Young carers

Teenage Pregnancy

The Hospital Team offer support to pregnant young women and girls who are under the age of 18. They provide a confidential service to help them make choices about their pregnancy in the following ways.

• Termination: If the young person wants to talk about having a termination, the team will help them to make the right decision for themselves without pressure from family, friends or partners.

• Adoption: If the young person would like to discuss the possibility of having the baby adopted, the team will make arrangements for a member of the Adoption Service to explain what will be involved.

• Continue with the pregnancy: If the young person wants to keep her baby, the team will support her with the child until she is 18 years of age.
  If the young person is still at school the team can help with arranging alternative education during the pregnancy with the help of the Reintegration Officer. After the birth of the child arrangements can also be made for childminding so the young mother can return to school.

If the young mother has left school the team will provide support with benefits and housing, which includes helping to access grants from the Government and charitable bodies to provide for furniture and decoration, washing machines and cooking equipment etc.

Help can also be provided for the following:

• Further training or employment through Connexions Service

• Health issues and child development through a number of Children's Centres operating throughout Sunderland and Washington.

• Introduction to local groups and resources that provide support to young parents.

Paediatrics/Neonatal

The hospital team also provide support to the Paediatric Department and in particular the neo-natal team. This involves working with children with a variety of medical conditions and providing support and developing networks for their parents.

Young carers

Young carers are children and young people up to the age of 18 who have caring responsibilities for someone who has a physical or mental illness, a physical or learning disability or a drug or alcohol problem. The person they look after may be a parent, a brother or sister, or a grandparent or other relative. The team can provide support, information, advocacy and an introduction to support groups in particular the Young Carers Workers at the Sunderland Carers' Centre.

For more information contact:

Children's Services Hospital Social Work Team, Kayll Road, Sunderland SR4 7TP
Tel: 0191 569 9038 Fax: 0191 569 9239
Email: HSW@ssd.sunderland.gov.uk

Useful information:

Showt - Sexual health website set up for young people, teachers, youth workers and health professionals. This site was developed by staff of Sunderland TPCT and young people from across the city.

Young Carers Initiative - The site for young carers, their families and those who work to support them across the UK.

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