Working Paper on the the Impact of Teen Parent Units on Young Mothers’ Educational Outcomes 

Teen Parent Units (TPUs) aim to improve access to schooling and to promote positive educational outcomes for teenagers who are pregnant or parents. They also provide wrap-around support, early childhood education for children, and links with health and social services.

Existing evidence and ERO reports suggest that students value the services and support they receive through the units, and that most TPUs provide supports that would be expected to lead to better educational, social, and health outcomes.

To date there has been no quantitative study that establishes whether TPUs are effective in improving educational outcomes. This new study aimed to fill that gap.

The study estimates that access to a TPU has large positive impacts on teen mothers’ school enrolment and attainment.