Children and Young People
Every child and young person has the right to be safe!
If you are a Child or Young Person, this part of the website is for you. It is important that you know how to keep yourself safe and who you can turn to if you need help and support.
We can help:
- If you are being mistreated or abused by someone and you are not sure what to do
- If you think another child/young person is being mistreated or abused and want to report your concerns
If you need advice or need to talk to someone, and want to confidentially talk to us please call:
1: ChildLine is a free 24 hour private and confidential counselling service for children and young people up to the age of 19 and can provide help and advice about a wide range of issues.
0800 11 11
2: NSPCC provide a 24 hour helpline, offering help, advice and support to children and their families. NSPCC is the leading children's charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK. For further information visit www.nspcc.org.uk
Mental Health and wellbeing for Children and Young People
Growing up is not easy, and sometimes it's hard to cope with whatever life throws at you. Please see the list below of what support services are available to you if you need it.
Barnados - We support children and young people with their mental health and wellbeing.
Mind - We're Mind. We understand mental health and wellbeing. We're here if you need us for support and advice. We help everyone understand mental health problems, so no one has to feel alone.
NHS - Growing up is not easy, and sometimes it's hard to cope with whatever life throws at you. Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) are there to support you if you need it.
Kooth - Kooth is a free, welcoming and confidential way for young people aged 11-18 years to access emotional wellbeing and early intervention mental health support.
The service offers one-to-one, anonymous counselling sessions with fully trained and qualified, experienced counsellors and emotional wellbeing practitioners.
Tidy Minds - Tidy Minds is a new website that has recently been launched for young people living in Swansea or Neath Port Talbot. The website is full of information to help you understand the way you’re feeling, and find the right advice and support.
Bullying
Bullying affects lots of people and can happen anywhere: at school, travelling to and from school, in sporting teams, in friendships or in family groups.
There is no legal definition of bullying. But it is usually defined as repeated behaviour which is intended to hurt someone either emotionally or physically, and is often aimed at certain people because of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation or any other aspect such as appearance or disability.
Bullying can take many forms including:
- physical assault
- social bullying
- threatening behaviour
- name calling
- cyberbullying
Bullying UK provides a 24 hour confidential helpline and website providing help and advice on all forms of bullying.
Kidscape: Providing children, families, carers and professionals with advice and information to keep children safe.
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
What is Child Sexual Exploitation?
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a type of child abuse. It happens when a young person is encouraged, or forced, to take part in sexual activity in exchange for something.
The reward might be presents, money, alcohol, or simply emotional attention.
It can happen to any child or young person. It might seem like a normal friendship or relationship to begin with. It can happen online or offline, and without the young person being aware of it.
Who does it happen to?
- Any young person can be a victim of child sexual exploitation
- It can happen to boys as well as girls
- It can happen to young people of all races and backgrounds
Children and Young People experiencing problems at home who go missing or are in care can be vulnerable and particularly at risk, but child sexual exploitation can also happen to those from a loving, supportive home.
How does it happen?
Sexual exploitation can be hard to recognise because often it feels like that you are in a good relationship with the person - or people - who abuse your trust in them. It could be that you are being exploited by a friend or group of friends, or someone who you think of as a boyfriend or girlfriend or it might be a person or group of people you’ve only just got to know, either in person or online.
Often people who exploit you are nice to you, your friends and family; they might buy you things including alcohol or drugs, they might listen to your problems, take you to great places, be there for you and they might give you a place to stay when you’re having problems.
Anyone who persuades you to have sex with them or other people, or encourages you to post sexual images of yourself via text or on the internet, in return for the things that they have given you, such as drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, money, food, accommodation or affection, is sexually exploiting you, even if you don’t always feel like they are.
If what you are being asked or forced to do makes you feel uncomfortable or worried in some way or somehow feels wrong then remember it probably is.
Where can you find help?
If you are worried about a situation that you or a friend are in, talk to an adult that you trust as soon as you can. Remember, if you are in immediate danger or want urgent help, contact the police on 999.