| Being a parent is never easy and it can be really hard work – but can also be rewarding and fun. There may be times when, instead of feeling happy about your baby and confident in your ability to be a parent, you feel lost and alone. You have to look after your health and that of your baby, and consider your education or training and future job chances. With a little help from the people below – you can do it! |
TIMs (Teenager Identified Midwives) |
| TIMs are midwives who look after young women under 18 years. They will look after you during pregnancy, the birth and afterwards. Ask them about antenatal check-ups and special classes for young mums and dads, which cover areas such as benefits, healthy eating, relaxation, preparation for the birth, and baby care. |
Help to continue your education or training |
| Whether you want a better job, more education or a training course, there are lots of options and lots of benefits, such as the chance of better pay in the future. You have a right to a full-time education until you’re 19. If you’re still under 16, talk to your head teacher and ask for help to complete your school education. If you’ve left school, you can study full-time, part-time, evening and flexi-time, and choose from a whole range of courses. Colleges have a Student Welfare Service, which can guide you through what help is available with expenses and childcare. Get in touch with your Connexions Personal Advisor for more advice. |
Young Parents Groups |
| Shropshire Youth is able to offer a range of facilities that young parents can access, as well as individual support. In some areas there are young parents support groups – contact your local Shropshire Youth office for information. If you have Surestart in your area; they offer support on all kinds of issues including childcare, breastfeeding, sleep problems and training opportunities. |
New Deal for Lone Parents |
| You may be offered help under this scheme, which helps lone parents get off benefits and into, or back to, work. You don’t have to take up the New Deal, but if you do you will be given a special personal advisor who will help with finding training courses, sorting out money and benefits, looking for jobs, and finding and paying for childcare. |
Benefits |
| Benefits that are available for pregnant teenagers and mothers under 18 depend on different things such as how old you are and whether you live with your parents or not. A factsheet is available from Connexions or you can get more information from your local Benefits Agency or Citizens Advice Bureau – their number is in the phone book. |
Childcare |
| If you are aged between 16 and 19 years old and going to a school or college, ask your Student Welfare Officer or Local Education Authority whether you can get help to pay for childcare from 'Care to Learn', Learner Support or Childcare Support Funds. As soon as you know your plans, get your child’s name down for the childcare facilities you want – college nurseries are often lower cost, but they do tend to get booked up very quickly. The Family Information Service has information which will help you. |
Housing |
| If you are under 16, you usually won’t have much choice about where to live – you’ll be expected to live with your family. If that’s not possible, you can ask for help from your local authority or social services. A lot of young mums stay with their own family, or with the family of their child’s father. If you are under 18, you may be given supported housing, with staff on site to help. These units usually offer a home up until your child is about one year old, when they help you move into housing. If you are homeless, you should apply to your local council or social services for help. For a free copy of Shelter’s Young peoples guide to housing call 0808 800 4444. |
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