Agenda item

Report from the Interim Director of Policy, Strategy and Engagement.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Receives the recommendations listed below along with the wider ambitions as listed in Paragraph 2.12 of the report, as approved by Health Select Commission:

                                               i.     That the relevant Council Services consider and review the feasibility of mobile outreach clinics or rotating sexual health outreach services where contraception, including LARC can be accessed in rural and underserved areas.

                                              ii.     That the relevant Council Services and relevant partners consider Including sexual health services, specifically including contraceptive advice guidance and provision, in the new town centre health hub, ensuring flexible, reliable and discreet ‘drop-in’ access and reduced stigma.

                                               i.     That the relevant Council Services work in collaboration with appropriate partners to strengthen and extend the reach of a borough-wide, sex-positive public health campaign promoting safe, consensual, and informed sexual activity that makes effective use of the contraceptive and sexual health services available in Rotherham. The Commission particularly advocates the use of modern messaging strategies that harness the power of local ‘influencers’ via social media platforms (e.g. TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram) wherever possible to reach younger demographics with engaging, accurate contraception and sexual health messaging that reaches them directly in places they naturally frequent and counteracts disinformation.

                                              ii.     That the relevant Council Services encourage schools to deliver consistent, comprehensive PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education), including ongoing practical contraceptive education and awareness of confidentiality rights and works with them to improve parental engagement and understanding of the benefits of making informed contraceptive and sexual health choices.

                                               i.     That the relevant Council Services work to improve Council public health websites to deliver youth-friendly information on contraception and sexual health services and providing/signposting to relevant sources of information, advice and guidance aimed at assisting that demographic to make informed choices.

                                              ii.     That the relevant Council Services work to develop a centralised digital resource or landing page consolidating sexual health information, service locations, and confidentiality guidance, with links to age group/demographic specific issues and information.

                                               i.     That the relevant Council Services consider how, ideally in collaboration with relevant partners such as schools and NHS services, to raise awareness of Fraser guidelines and NHS app privacy settings to reassure young people about confidentiality when accessing contraception.

                                              ii.     That the relevant Council Services work with MESMAC and other relevant youth services to expand outreach and ensure visibility and borough wide accessibility of services, particularly for LGBTQ+ and vulnerable groups.

                                               i.     That the relevant Council Services include the location of sexual health clinics, drop-in centres, and pharmacies providing emergency contraception on the Rotherham mapping system (where grit salt bin locations, planning applications etc. can be found), or create a standalone map resource to allow Rotherham residents to easily identify all locations in the borough where they can access contraception.

                                              ii.     That relevant Council Services review local data on terminations and teenage pregnancies to assess emerging trends, identify the root causes and facilitate the formulation and implementation of targeted interventions that address their drivers.

                                            iii.     That relevant Council Services ensure that the recommendations, observations and broad ambitions from this review are considered in the next commissioning cycle in 2027, and in the development/revision of the borough’s sexual health strategy and action plan.

2.    Formally considers its response and responds to the above recommendations by May 2026, in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

3.    Agrees that following submission to Cabinet, those recommendations within the control and influence of external bodies, are shared with relevant health partners and commissioners for consideration and response.

Consideration was given to the report which summarised the findings and recommendations of the Health Select Commission review into access to contraception. The review was identified and prioritised as part of work conducted by the Commission in the 2024-25 municipal year following reports of inconsistencies in accessibility of Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) at GP surgeries. Whilst LARC was one of the areas of concern identified, members elected to consider the full breadth of contraceptive options as part of the review process.

The report was endorsed by the Health Select Commission during its 22 January 2026 meeting and subsequently endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board during its 3 February 2026 meeting for progression and consideration by Cabinet, in line with the scrutiny review process.

Councillor Steele, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, presented the report and stated that it was a detailed piece of work which involved a high proportion of engagement with both internal and external partners. The key issues and considerations of the working group were set out. A number of appendices were included which helped form the basis and justification for the recommendations.

The report reflected that evidence gathered in 2025, identified key issues such as variation in GP services, limited male contraception options, inconsistent and fragmented online information, and increasing misinformation via social media. The challenges noted restricted informed choice for Rotherham residents and could contribute to rising termination rates and health inequalities. The review recommended improving access, strengthening digital information, expanding outreach, and enhancing support for young people. It also identified longer term opportunities, including stronger Primary Care Network collaboration, wider condom provision, and improved use of data.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health welcomed the report and thanked all members involved in the review. In accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, Cabinet committed to formally consider its response and respond to the recommendations by May 2026.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.    Receives the recommendations listed below along with the wider ambitions as listed in Paragraph 2.12 of the report, as approved by Health Select Commission:

a.    Commissioning and Service Delivery

                                               i.     That the relevant Council Services consider and review the feasibility of mobile outreach clinics or rotating sexual health outreach services where contraception, including LARC can be accessed in rural and underserved areas.

                                              ii.     That the relevant Council Services and relevant partners consider Including sexual health services, specifically including contraceptive advice guidance and provision, in the new town centre health hub, ensuring flexible, reliable and discreet ‘drop-in’ access and reduced stigma.

                                               i.     That the relevant Council Services work in collaboration with appropriate partners to strengthen and extend the reach of a borough-wide, sex-positive public health campaign promoting safe, consensual, and informed sexual activity that makes effective use of the contraceptive and sexual health services available in Rotherham. The Commission particularly advocates the use of modern messaging strategies that harness the power of local ‘influencers’ via social media platforms (e.g. TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram) wherever possible to reach younger demographics with engaging, accurate contraception and sexual health messaging that reaches them directly in places they naturally frequent and counteracts disinformation.

                                              ii.     That the relevant Council Services encourage schools to deliver consistent, comprehensive PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education), including ongoing practical contraceptive education and awareness of confidentiality rights and works with them to improve parental engagement and understanding of the benefits of making informed contraceptive and sexual health choices.

                                               i.     That the relevant Council Services work to improve Council public health websites to deliver youth-friendly information on contraception and sexual health services and providing/signposting to relevant sources of information, advice and guidance aimed at assisting that demographic to make informed choices.

                                              ii.     That the relevant Council Services work to develop a centralised digital resource or landing page consolidating sexual health information, service locations, and confidentiality guidance, with links to age group/demographic specific issues and information.

                                               i.     That the relevant Council Services consider how, ideally in collaboration with relevant partners such as schools and NHS services, to raise awareness of Fraser guidelines and NHS app privacy settings to reassure young people about confidentiality when accessing contraception.

                                              ii.     That the relevant Council Services work with MESMAC and other relevant youth services to expand outreach and ensure visibility and borough wide accessibility of services, particularly for LGBTQ+ and vulnerable groups.

                                               i.     That the relevant Council Services include the location of sexual health clinics, drop-in centres, and pharmacies providing emergency contraception on the Rotherham mapping system (where grit salt bin locations, planning applications etc. can be found), or create a standalone map resource to allow Rotherham residents to easily identify all locations in the borough where they can access contraception.

                                              ii.     That relevant Council Services review local data on terminations and teenage pregnancies to assess emerging trends, identify the root causes and facilitate the formulation and implementation of targeted interventions that address their drivers.

                                            iii.     That relevant Council Services ensure that the recommendations, observations and broad ambitions from this review are considered in the next commissioning cycle in 2027, and in the development/revision of the borough’s sexual health strategy and action plan.

2.    Formally considers its response and responds to the above recommendations by May 2026, in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

3.    Agrees that following submission to Cabinet, those recommendations within the control and influence of external bodies, are shared with relevant health partners and commissioners for consideration and response.