The WA Government does not have specific policy for young parents and pregnant teenagers but indicated to the Children’s Commissioner that ‘schools can collect information about students’ specific health care needs and respond to needs of services with support of specialist services.’
In 2014 the WA Department of Education issued Guidelines for Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Young People to Continue their Education (now not available)
The following principles should guide school provision for pregnant and parenting young people:
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Educational opportunity to remain in and/or reconnect with school/training (in accredited pathways) is equally available to pregnant and parenting young people.
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Barriers to participation for pregnant and parenting young people are reduced.
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Young fathers are included in provisions for pregnant and parenting young people.
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Schools provide a safe and supportive environment free from harassment and discrimination in which pregnant and parenting young people can continue their education.
Port School Young Parent Centre Hamilton Hill – helps young teen parents (pregnant and/or parenting) to continue their education in a supportive and welcoming environment, child care centre adjacent, opened in Sept 2015. Contact coordinator, phone 0468 814 950 or 08 9335 6323 .
Balga Senior High School, Teen Family Centre helps young parents stay in education, phone 9247 0222 or 9343 6038, 2 Markham Way, Balga. Also community parent and young parents programs, phone 9247 0217 and a childcare centre, phone 9343 6038.
North Lake Senior Campus Fremantle – Fast Track For students who have not successfully completed Year 10 or need extra support to continue or resume secondary education or prepare for work or training. Cnr Parry and Cantonment Streets, Fremantle Phone 9430 7376 (not specifically for young parents).
Youth Futures provides alternative education programs where young people 15-19 can complete their Certificate I or II General Education in Heathridge (Anchor Point), phone 9300 2677 and Community Outreach Model of Education & Training (COMET) school in Clarkson. (Programs not specifically for young parents.)
Schools of Isolated and Distance Education – Supports pregnant and parenting young people throughout WA to continue with their education by enabling them to enroll in lower and senior secondary courses and thus combine parenting and study commitments. (No reference now to young parents.)
Schools that no longer run programs for young parents:
Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre, Albany Mum’s the Word Supports pregnant and parenting young people in the Albany area by providing an educational program through SIDE, a study supervisor and a crèche.