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.
NSPCC
The NSPCC are the leading children’s charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK.
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.
Kooth
Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
Open Minds
Open Minds will help you with questions about emotional health and wellbeing, showing you where you can find support.
CEOP
CEOP are here to help if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe, scared or worried.
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 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:
- Don’t add people just for followers
- Don’t post personal information online
- Watch what you look at and post online, stay safe and report inappropriate content
- Don’t send nudes, it’s a criminal offence
- Be careful about what you post online
- Don’t share your passwords with anyone
- Set your social media profiles to private so that random people can’t message you
- Go online for positive use only and be aware of negative behaviour such as bullying
- Be careful which websites you go on
- 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
Please see: Missing People – How can we help young people.
Private fostering
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