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Being pregnant and having a baby as a teenager can be a scary, confusing and complicated.
Knowing where to get help and who to turn to for support is important.
What financial help can I get? What will happen at school?
Parents also need advice and support.
Find information, advice, chat forums and confidential helplines where someone will listen to you and give you free and impartial advice.
Advice and support
NHS Teenage Pregnancy support
Can you stay at school if you are pregnant?
Yes, you can stay at school up until the birth and then return to school afterwards.
If you're pregnant or you've had a baby, you're expected to stay at school and continue education until you finish Year 11. Your school should not treat you any differently.
You're also entitled to a maximum 16-week break immediately before and after the birth.
You can leave school at the end of Year 11.
But until you're 18, you still have to either:
- stay in full-time education (for example, at college)
- start an apprenticeship or traineeship
- work or volunteer (for 20 hours or more a week) while in part-time education or training
The law says colleges, universities or your apprenticeship employer are not allowed to treat you unfairly if you're pregnant or have had a baby.
Family Lives -Information and advice for young parents
Little Lullaby offers young parent support by young parents
Gingerbread - Advice for young single parents
Home Start - advice for young mothers
Childline - help and support for young parents
Advice for parents on supporting their teenager with their pregnancy
Your rights and benefits
Guide to benefits for under 18's with a baby
If you are under 16, there are only a few benefits you can claim in your own right.
Once you are 16, there are more benefits you can claim in your own right.
If you’re under 18 and more than 10 weeks pregnant, you qualify for Healthy Start until your baby is born. You do not need to receive any of the qualifying benefits or be getting tax credits. To apply, you need to call us on 0300 330 7010 and provide:
- your baby’s due date
- a copy of your birth certificate
- your NHS number
- your National Insurance number
After your baby is born, you will only continue to qualify for Healthy Start if you get the qualifying benefits or tax credits. To make sure you continue to receive Healthy Start vouchers once your baby is born, you should:
- call on 0300 330 7010
- apply for Child Tax Credits as soon as you can
- inform Universal Credit by updating your online account
- reapply online and make a new claim
If you do not do this, your payment will stop 4 weeks after your baby’s due date.
Free benefits calculator to find out what you might be entitled to.
Benefits rates and what you can claim if you are under 18.
Benefits, grants or other financial support available to under 18's.
Information and advice on renting a house in Sandwell.
Benefits advice, housing benefits, Universal Credit and other advice.
When the baby is born
Sandwell Health Visiting Service
Health Visitors work with parents and carers who have new babies, offering support from the ante-natal period until your child starts school at five years.
Children's Centres offer family support, early learning, information and advice on health, parenting, money and benefits, education and school readiness. There are lots of free services and activities at your local children's centre.
Parenting support is a free opportunity to get advice and support and meet other new parents.
Find local baby groups, stay and play sessions, and activities for babies and toddlers.
Early Years - Healthy Sandwell
Early years services in Sandwell to give children the best start in life.