The Government's Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is investing 1.5m to fund at least 400 full-time childcare places in a pilot scheme. It is hoped the initiative will help the LSC increase the proportion of 16-to 18-year-olds involved in structured learning and support those already in further education and encourage others to go back to school.
The funding will be distributed among the 47 regional LSCs in England, and it will be up to them to decide which teenage parents should benefit and who will provide the places. The experimental scheme is part of the LSC's Learner Support Fund, aimed at disadvantaged learners, ethnic minorities and those with disabilities, which has been increased in value by 22m to 134m in 2002/03. The pilot will run for a year but the LSC expects it to be made permanent.
LSC chairman Bryan Sanderson said, 'These funds are very effective at encouraging groups such as adult learners and those taking lower level qualifications to start and complete courses. Supporting young vulnerable groups also makes economic sense, as the cost of rectifying poor skills and qualifications at a later stage in people's lives is more disruptive and more costly for the community.
'For example, we are focusing on childcare for teenage parents in school sixth forms and sixth-form colleges. School sixth forms have not previously benefited from LSC support for childcare and the limited funds allocated to sixth form colleges for the same purpose may have precluded them also from assisting with the high cost of full-time childcare.
'We want to offer the same continuity of learning to teenage parents as is available to other young people, in order to safeguard their future employment prospects and the beneficial effect on their children's lives.'
The lone parent charity Gingerbread welcomed the Government initiative. A spokeswoman said, 'Gingerbread supports the decision to provide childcare for teenage lone parents in order for them to access education, and recognises the importance of quality care for their children.
'It is important that young people continue their education as this equips them with essential skills that can help lone parents and their children escape poverty. Good quality childcare is also beneficial to child development overall, and can help to provide the children of lone parents with a positive start in life.'