Information and advice for children and young people

Every child and young person has the right to be safe and free from abuse and neglect. If you are worried about yourself or someone you know, there are lots of organisations that can help.

Childline

Childline is a free, private and confidential service where you can be you. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, however you want to get in touch.

Visit Childline

NSPCC

The NSPCC are the leading children’s charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK.

Visit NSPCC

Kidscape

The vision of Kidscape is for all children to grow up in a world free from bullying and harm, with adults who keep them safe and help them to reach their full potential.

Visit Kidscape

Kooth

Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous online support for young people

Visit Kooth

Open Minds

Open Minds will help you with questions about emotional health and wellbeing, showing you where you can find support.

Download Poster – Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service Offer for Children and Young People in Calderdale

Visit Open Minds

CEOP

CEOP are here to help if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe, scared or worried. 

Visit CEOP

More topics and resources

Abuse

What is abuse

Abuse can be broken down into four types:

  • Physical Abuse: when a grown up hurts you on purpose, for example: hitting, shaking, burning and suffocating.
  • Emotional Abuse: this could be things such as being ignored on purpose, called names and getting unfairly blamed for lots of things.
  • Sexual Abuse: this could be being forced to take a rude photo or take part in sexual activities.
  • Neglect: when you are not looked after properly by your parents/carers. For example: not getting enough food and drink.

If you or someone you know is being abused, it is important you let the right people know. You can report a concern on this website. For more information on abuse, see: Child Abuse

More information:

Bullying
Bullying can happen to anyone, anywhere. If you or someone you know is being bullied, you are not alone.

Bullying includes:

  • People calling you names
  • Making things up to get you into trouble
  • Hitting, pinching, biting, pushing and shoving
  • Stealing from you
  • Damaging your belongings on purpose
  • Taking your friends away from you
  • Spreading rumours
  • People threatening you, or being intimidating
  • Cyber bullying – anything that is online such as Facebook or Email

For help and advice on how to cope with bullying, visit the Childline website.

E Safety

Calderdale Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) Reference Group’s Top 10 Tips to stay safe:

  1. Don’t add people just for followers
  2. Don’t post personal information online
  3. Watch what you look at and post online, stay safe and report inappropriate content
  4. Don’t send nudes, it’s a criminal offence
  5. Be careful about what you post online
  6. Don’t share your passwords with anyone
  7. Set your social media profiles to private so that random people can’t message you
  8. Go online for positive use only and be aware of negative behaviour such as bullying
  9. Be careful which websites you go on
  10. Be aware that there are possible dangers online such as fake accounts and people who lie about who the really are.

 Childline has lots of information on how to stay safe online.

Missing
Private fostering
If you are under 16 years of age (or if under 18 years, if you are disabled) and you are looked after by someone else who is not a close relative, for more than 28 days, then you are being privately fostered. A close relative is your brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparent, legal guardian or step-parent.

There may be many reasons why you are not living at home, it may be just your parent has had to go into hospital for a long stay, or your parents may be working or living in another country.

If you think you are living with private foster carers and want to talk to someone for help and advice, please contact:

Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST) on 01422 393336 or for more information, read this leaflet Private fostering young people