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What is the C Card scheme?

The C Card is a condom distribution scheme for young people in Medway aged 13–20 years of age.

It provides free condoms from trained C Card workers who will talk to all young people registered on the scheme about:

• Confidentiality (a young person is entitled to confidential services)
• Not having sex until they are sure they are ready
• Being able to say 'no' if they don't want to have sex, even if they have had sex before
• Safe sex when they do feel ready or are already sexually active
• The laws around sex
• Safer sex - protection from unplanned pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
• How to use condoms correctly
• Emergency contraception
• Local sexual health services

Having a C Card does not mean a young person is having sex. The scheme gives young people a chance to discuss their sexual health, ask questions in a confidential environment and get information about contraceptive and sexual health services. C Card workers will always encourage young people to talk to their parents or carers about relationships and sex.

The Medway C Card Scheme is not about encouraging young people to have sex, but about encouraging those young people already having sex or about to have a sexual relationship, to have healthy relationships and safer sex.

How does the scheme work?

• Young people register in an initial consultation and are given a C Card and free condoms
• Young people can then use this card to get condoms from trained workers from a range of locations for another nine visits
• On the 11th visit the young person must re-register with the scheme and talk to a trained worker again. This is so that the worker can make sure they are ok before issuing a new C Card and more free condoms

What happens if a young person aged under 13 tries to register?

Young people aged under 13 will not be registered for a C Card. However, the C Card worker will still talk with them to make sure they are ok and refer them to any other support they may need.

By providing condoms, isn't this scheme encouraging more young people to have sex?

There is no evidence to suggest that giving young people condoms will encourage them to have sex. However by giving young people sexual health advice, information and resources, they may choose to delay sexual activity. For those young people who are already sexually active, providing access to condoms enables them to have safer sex, reducing the risk of unplanned pregnancy and STIs.

Why are we giving out condoms to 13-15 year olds when it is against the law for them to have sex?

The legal age for sex is 16 years but an estimated one third of young people in the UK have sex at a younger age. It is legal for young people under 16 to get sexual health advice, information and contraception. This is to make sure young people are supported to stay as emotionally and physically safe as possible.