Young people's sexual health services

Sexual behaviour, health and education go together. There needs to be better coordination and joint working between health and education and children's services. Parents/carers need to be encouraged to be more aware of and involved in policy formulation. Confidentiality is a crucial part of the service for individual young people but has to be balanced by an equivalent duty on professionals and parents to protect anyone who is vulnerable and at risk.

The point is perfectly obvious in principle but if the NHS is to provide a new service it should be directed towards the parents of young people who have the responsibility for their upbringing.

Young people are at a tumultuous time in their life, with lots of changes, physically, emotionally, socially etc. It is key that health services look after young people during adolescence and make sure that they have an accessible sexual health service.

I think this is very important and the explanation above says exactly how I think this should be provided, handled

Young people need to understand their responsibilities around maintaining their own sexual health. It is the 'In addition' statement which would exclude parents from the decisions their child is making regarding being sexually active before the 'age of consent' that I disagree with. I'm not so nieve to think under sixteens are not sexually active but I do think parents should be included in decision making about/ with their child if they are under 16.

Young people need to understand that they have to look after themselves. A good understanding of sexual health throughout puberty, as well as access and knowledge of the anonymous sexual health services available, are crucial to a young person's health and well-being. In addition, young people need easy access to a confidential service, that doesn't draw any attention from peers, parents or teachers.