Young Mothers Not in Learning

A qualitative study of barriers and attitudes

Dench S, Bellis A, Tuohy S | Report 439 | Institute for Employment Studies | Jun 2007

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Care to Learn is a UK government initiative that provides financial support for teenage parents who want to continue in, or return to learning. It helps with the cost of their childcare and travel.

This study was conducted as part of the national evaluation of Care to Learn. It looks at the situation, experiences, views and aspirations of a group of young mothers who were not engaged at all, or who were only tangentially engaged, in learning or employment. This group is key if the longer-term targets of Care to Learn, and the broader target of having 60 percent of teenage parents in employment or training by 2010, are to be reached.

The report explores these mothers' attitudes to learning, and the examines the range of barriers - practical, emotional and motivational - that restrict their access to learning.