What is Safeguarding?
Every child & young person has a right to be safe. Safeguarding means keeping you safe from any type of harm or neglect.
If you are worried about something that is happening to you or someone you know, you don’t have to deal with it on your own. All over the country there are many people and organisations that want to help you feel safe, healthy and happy. You find information about some of the groups in County Durham at the County Durham Family Information Service website.
If you’re worried about a friend but don’t know if you should talk to them about it, there is some great advice on how to start the conversation on the Think U Know website
The Durham Children in Care Council website have information and links to loads of websites, all chosen by young people, about a wide range of things that you could be worried about – click here to visit the Durham Children in Care Council Helpful Links and Resources page.
All adults have a responsibility to protect you and it is the role of your parents or carers and adults such as teachers, learning mentors, doctors, nurses, social workers, police officers, faith leaders and sports coaches to ensure that you are safe. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, whether you are at home, school or are chatting online, you have the right to grow up safe from people hurting you or not making sure that you are cared for.
According to the law, there are 4 main types of abuse that could cause harm or neglect. These are:
- Physical Abuse: when an adult deliberately hurts a child, such as hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, drowning or suffocating.
- Emotional Abuse: this would happen, for example, when a child is being unfairly blamed for everything all the time; or told they are stupid and made to feel unhappy.
- Sexual Abuse: an example of sexual abuse would be where a child is forced to take part in sexual activities; or in taking rude photos.
- Neglect: this is when a child is not being looked after properly; for example, not getting enough to eat, or being left alone in dangerous situations.
More information about what abuse can look like and how to keep safe can be found at the NSPCC website.
A great guide written by young people who have experienced abuse or neglect can be found on the SCIE website.
I am worried about me or another child or young person
Childline is not just for young children!
If you are under 19 years old Childline is here to help you, with any issue you're going through.
You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, if you are just feeling lonely or down and need someone to talk to, their trained counsellors are there to support you.
It's free, confidential and available any time, day or night.
Whether you're worried about something that is happening to you or someone you know, you don’t have to deal with it on your own.
You can contact Childline
- by calling 0800 1111 (you will not be charged for the call)
- by emailing Childine
- through 1-2-1 counsellor chat
Whatever feels best for you. You can also find lots of information and advice on lot of topics by visiting the Childline website
Who else could help me?
If you need help you can speak to an adult you trust ,such as a doctor, key worker, teacher or social worker.
Speaking to an adult you trust will help you to get the help you need or take a look at our Concerned About a Child? page for who to call for help.
If you are finding it difficult to get your views, feelings and wishes heard and taken seriously, you could get in touch with organisations like the National Youth Advocacy Service or Help at Hand. They can help to you get the services and help you are entitled to.
There are also lots of organisations who specialise in helping children & young people; here are some that you can contact or speak to confidentially:
- Childline 0800 1111
- Rape Crisis 0808 802 9999
- SupportLine 01708 765200
- The Hideout (Domestic Violence)
- Healthwatch 03000 68 3000 (in Durham 0800 3047039)
- Stop It Now! Helpline 0808 1000 900 (Child Abuse)
- National Youth Advocacy Service 0808 808 1001
- Help at Hand 0800 528 0731
Abuse or neglect of a child or young person is very serious and against the law.
If this has happened to you, it is really important you get the help and support you need. The NICE health website has a 'quick guide' to getting help to overcome abuse.
I am thinking about running away or I am already missing from my home
If you are thinking about running away or are already missing from where you live, you can find help and advice by calling or texting the Runaway Helpline on 116000 or you can visit their Runaway website.
You can also get more information and help from the Missing People website.
I am being bullied
Bullying can be physical, verbal, emotional or in cyberspace (online bullying), how ever it happens, it is horrible. There are people who want to help you to make the bullying stop. In County Durham all schools have an Anti-Bullying Policy, even if the bullying isn't happening in school if you can talk to a teacher they should help you to find the help you need.
Kidscape is committed to keeping children safe from abuse. Kidscape is the first charity in the UK established just to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. The Kidscape website has a page with lot of advice on how to find help.
Bullying can also be getting you do things you're not sure about. Bullying UK has information for young people to help them recognise and understand how sometimes bullying can look like something else, such as unhealthy relationships, sexting and 'social' bullying. You can find more information about general advice on bullying.