If you are worried that a child is being abused, you should take the following steps:
Listen and Reassure: If a child discloses abuse, listen carefully, stay calm, and reassure them that they did the right thing by telling you.
Do Not Investigate: Avoid asking leading questions or conducting your own investigation, as this can interfere with official processes.
Record Details: Make a note of what the child has said, including dates, times, and any observations. Keep it factual and avoid adding personal interpretations.
Report Concerns: Contact your local children’s social care services, the police, or the NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000) to report the abuse. If the child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Follow Up: If you do not receive feedback after reporting, follow up with the agency to ensure the concerns are being addressed.
Remember to act promptly, as safeguarding the child is the top priority.
Helpful links:
NSPCC – resources
Here are key steps to consider:
Educate About Privacy: Teach young people to keep personal information private, including full names, addresses, phone numbers, school details, and passwords.
Set Strong Passwords: Encourage the use of strong, unique passwords for different accounts and the importance of not sharing them with others.
Discuss Online Behaviour: Talk about responsible online behaviour, including being respectful to others, thinking before posting, and the potential consequences of sharing inappropriate content.
Recognise Risks: Make them aware of common online risks such as cyberbullying, grooming, scams, and inappropriate content. Teach them how to identify these threats.
Safe Social Media Use: Discuss safe use of social media platforms, including adjusting privacy settings, understanding what constitutes oversharing, and how to block or report problematic users.
Encourage Open Communication: Foster an environment where young people feel comfortable talking about their online experiences. Encourage them to speak up if they encounter something that makes them uncomfortable.
Teach Critical Thinking: Encourage critical thinking about what they see online, including recognizing fake news, scams, and the importance of not clicking on suspicious links.
Use Parental Controls: Consider using parental controls and safe search settings to limit exposure to harmful content, especially for younger children.
Be Aware of Screen Time: Set guidelines for screen time to ensure a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
Know Where to Get Help: Provide information on where to get help if they encounter online abuse, such as reporting to the platform, contacting Childline (0800 1111), or seeking support from a trusted adult.
Further resources:
NSPCC – keeping children safe online
Internet Matters – online safety
Childline – staying safe online
Kids Health – internet safety
UK Safer Internet – staying safe online
If you suspect a young person may be exploited or at risk of radicalisation, here are key steps to take:
1. Recognise the Signs: Be aware of warning signs of exploitation or radicalisation, such as changes in behaviour, withdrawal from family and friends, increased secrecy, expressing extremist views, or associating with new groups that promote harmful ideologies.
2. Approach with Sensitivity: If you decide to talk to the young person, approach the situation with care. Avoid confrontation; instead, express concern and a willingness to listen. Create a safe space for them to share their thoughts and feelings without judgment.
3. Do Not Confront or Challenge Beliefs Directly: Directly challenging a young person’s beliefs may cause them to shut down or further entrench their views. Focus on listening and understanding their perspective.
4. Seek Support and Guidance: Reach out to professionals for advice. This could include contacting local safeguarding leads, children’s social care services, or the police. For radicalisation concerns specifically, you can contact the Prevent team through your local authority or the national Prevent helpline (0800 011 3764).
5. Report Concerns: If there is an immediate danger, contact the police by calling 999. For non-emergencies, report concerns through the police non-emergency number (101) or directly to safeguarding services.
6. Involve Trusted Adults: If appropriate, involve trusted adults or family members who can support the young person. However, be mindful of the young person’s safety and privacy.
7. Encourage Positive Activities: Promote involvement in positive activities that can provide a sense of belonging and purpose, such as sports, arts, or community groups. This can help redirect their focus and build resilience against exploitation.
8. Provide Access to Support Services: Connect the young person with support services that can offer counselling, education, and guidance on making safe choices. Organizations such as Childline, The Mix, or local youth services can provide appropriate support.
9. Use Online Safety Resources: Encourage the use of online safety resources that educate about the risks of exploitation and radicalisation, and provide guidance on how to stay safe online.
10. Monitor and Follow Up: Keep an eye on the young person’s progress and remain available for ongoing support. Follow up with professionals to ensure appropriate measures are being taken.
Helpful links:
NSPCC – gangs and exploitation
NSPCC – protecting children from county lines
The Children Society – signs of exploitation
The Children Society – how to report suspected exploitation
The Children Society – preventing child sexual exploitation
Stop It Now – protecting against sexual abuse
Catch 22 – child exploitation
NSPCC – recognising and responding to radicalism
ACT Early – protecting children from radicalism
For supporting a young person with mental health concerns, here are key steps to follow:
1. Create a Safe Space
- Encourage open conversations by creating a non-judgmental and supportive environment where they feel safe to share their feelings. Let them know that it’s okay to talk about their mental health.
2. Listen Actively
- When they talk, listen attentively without interrupting or jumping to conclusions. Let them express themselves fully and acknowledge their feelings, even if you don’t fully understand their experience.
3. Avoid Giving Quick Fixes
- Instead of trying to “solve” their problems, offer empathy and support. Ask how you can help them rather than assuming what they need.
4. Encourage Professional Help
- If their mental health concerns are ongoing or severe, encourage them to seek professional help from a GP, counselor, therapist, or a youth mental health service. Highlight the importance of talking to experts.
- They can also contact helplines like Childline (0800 1111) or The Mix (0808 808 4994).
5. Help Them Find Useful Resources
- Direct them to youth-friendly mental health websites like YoungMinds, Mind, or Kooth for advice, peer support, and information on managing mental health.
6. Promote Healthy Coping Mechanisms
- Encourage activities that support mental well-being, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, good sleep hygiene, journaling, mindfulness, or creative activities.
7. Identify and Minimize Triggers
- Help them identify stressors and triggers that may worsen their mental health, whether it’s social media, school pressures, or peer relationships. Discuss ways to manage or reduce exposure to these triggers.
8. Maintain Boundaries
- While offering support, recognize your own limits and encourage them to also rely on professionals or support networks for specialised help. It’s important to avoid taking full responsibility for their mental health.
9. Monitor Signs of Crisis
- Be alert to warning signs of a crisis, such as talk of self-harm, withdrawing from friends or activities, drastic mood swings, or expressions of hopelessness. If you feel the young person is at immediate risk, call 999 or encourage them to seek urgent help.
10. Be Patient and Consistent
- Mental health recovery can take time, and the young person may have good and bad days. Offer consistent support and be patient with their process.
By offering a listening ear and providing access to professional and peer support, you can help young people manage their mental health and find the right tools to cope.
Helpful links:
Kooth – practical mental health support
Mind – useful contacts for 11-18 year olds
Young Minds – mental health support
The Mix – support for under 25s including mental health