On this page, we've compiled information and advice for children and young people, so that's it's all in one place.
We've brought together advice, helpful websites, online resources as well as contact details, so you don't have to search the internet. It's all right here.
If you're experiencing abuse or neglect or worried about someone you know, you should tell someone like a teacher or a youth worker or some else you trust.
You can also talk to the Children's Safeguarding/Social Work Team by phoning 01925 443322.
If you're calling between 5.00 pm and 9.00 am, please contact us on 01925 444400.
If you believe someone has committed a crime, please contact the police on 101. However, if you or another young person is in immediate danger, please call 999.
If you don't feel like you can speak to someone you know, there are helplines and professionals available (numbers below). It can be tough to talk, but there are lots of people who can help.
You can call national helpline numbers free of charge:
Everyone has a right to be safe. Safeguarding means keeping you safe from harm or neglect.
Abuse occurs when another person harms a child or young person (17 years of age or under) either physically, verbally, emotionally or sexually. Similarly, a lack of care, love and attention showed towards a young person can also be defined as abuse.
Lots of children and young people suffer abuse both in-person and online, as a one-off or abuse that occurs over a long period.
Abuse can be:
For younger children, the NSPCC promote five easy ways of staying safe in their PANTS message:
Privates are Private
Always remember your body belongs to you
No means No
Talk about secrets that upset you
Speak up someone can help
You can find out more by watching the NSPCCs short video on the underwear rule.
For more information on young people who've experienced abuse or neglect, please have a look at the NICE guide.
A healthy relationship should consist of these six things:
If your relationship leaves you feeling scared, intimidated or controlled, you may be in an abusive relationship.
Remember that controlling or threatening behaviour can be physical, sexual, emotional, financial or psychological.
Watch this short video - 'Listen to your selfie'.
Giving consent means that you've agreed to do something.
You're comfortable with your decision, and no one has forced you to make that decision. You can change your mind at any point.
Have a look at these videos on consent from the 'Disrespect nobody' website and Thames Valley Police.
Having sex without consent (which means they don't want to have sex) is illegal and is called rape.
If you think you've been raped, contact RASASC Specialist Sexual Violence Support for Cheshire and Merseyside Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 4.00 pm.
If you need to speak to someone for emotional support/advice out of these hours here are several options:
Sexting involves sending a sexual message, photo or video to someone else. It could be a picture of you, but sometimes people send pictures and videos of other people.
Messages could be to a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend or someone online.
Sexting includes:
Watch this short video - 'Listen to your selfie'.
Revenge porn can be summarised as sharing private, sexual materials, photos or videos, of other people without their consent.
The offence can involve:
If you're over 18 and someone's shared a naked or sexual picture of you without consent, it's illegal.
For help about relationships visit these following websites:
Being online can feel just like being in the real world - you can chat, play games and share pictures.
But how can you stay safe online?
You can can also report online abuse to Child Exploitation and Online Protection.
The CEOP website includes answers to questions such as:
To report online material that promotes terrorism or extremism, visit GOV.UK.
You'll find additional help and advice about online safety at:
Bullying can happen anywhere, to anyone at any age. It can involve someone pushing, hitting, teasing or calling you names, or freezing you out of friendship groups or activities.
If you're a victim of bullying or know of someone who is a subject of bullying, you should talk to someone you trust. However, if you don't feel like talking, there are lots of helplines you can contact:
Kidscape - help with bullying website
Watch these short videos on bullying:
The prominent places for online bullying include:
Cyberbullying is any form of bullying which takes place online.
Watch this short video - 'Online bullying doesn't have to be like this.':
For more help and advice on cyberbullying and what to do about it, check these websites:
Child sexual exploitation occurs when an individual or a group deceives, manipulates or coerces and controls a child for a sexual purpose.
It can happen to boys and girls; it can happen face-to-face and online.
Vulnerable children at risk from sexual exploitation
Childline has a series of short animated films dealing with child sexual exploitation:
Loosing control - Jay
Loosing control - When someone cares
Loosing control - My story is real
You can also get advice and further information on child sexual exploitation from these following websites:
These relationships usually involve one physically stronger, older and often wealthier perpetrator controlling a young person. Sometimes this can involve familial abuse too - when an older family member exploits their child or sibling. The relative can be forced or threatened into involving the young person in exploitation by someone else.
Often referred to as the 'boyfriend' model. The adult perpetrator is usually at least five years older and befriends and grooms the young person by focusing on their vulnerabilities. The victim will initially feel they're in a positive and rewarding relationship with the perpetrator. Power and control can lead to a young person becoming isolated and dependent on the 'boyfriend'. These young people can often be coerced or forced into sex with the perpetrator's friends.
Young people are passed by perpetrators through networks, between towns and cities, where they may be forced or coerced into sexual activity with multiple people. Young people are often used to recruit other young people to participate in so-called 'sex parties'.
Trafficking sometimes involves the 'buying and selling' of young people by individuals involved in serious organised crime. Often referred to as sexual bullying, this form of child sexual exploitation can happen quickly without building a relationship or the grooming process. Incidents may be filmed on mobile phones and circulated. Incidents may occur publicly or involve multiple perpetrators.
Young people in gangs or groups may be sexually exploited as part of gang initiation or as punishment. Young people may also be encouraged to recruit peers into the gang, exposing them to similar child sexual exploitation. When this happens, it can be difficult to identify perpetrators who control the gang.
Online Sexual exploitation can include an older person:
(The Children's Society)
You can talk to Warrington's Children's safeguarding/social work team in Warrington on 01925 443322. If you're calling between 5.00 pm – 9.00 am ring us on 01925 444400.
Alternatively, you can call the police on 101; however, if you or another young person is in immediate danger telephone 999.
When children and young people are manipulated and forced into committing crimes, it's known as criminal exploitation. And as such, characterised as child abuse.
Childline provides excellent advice on gangs and has information on the following questions:
Childline also provides advice and information about knife crime and common questions, such as:
To report things you're worried about you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is when some or all of a girl's private parts are removed or altered.
FGM can happen at different times in a girl or woman's life, including:
FGM is abuse, and it's illegal in the UK.
Watch this short video that raises FGM awareness amongst primary school-aged children:
My Body, My Rules: FGM animation
This short video follows a 12-year-old's struggle between family honour and FGM facts:
Think again: The film
If you're worried about or have experienced FGM, there are several helplines, including Childline. Their 0800 1111 is free and confidential.
The NSPCC also have a free helpline. You can contact them by calling 0800 028 3550 or emailing fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.
Petals have developed an App for you to download, should you wish to know more about FGM.
Forced marriage is different from an arranged marriage. If you agree to marry another person and you're 16 years of age or more, then an arranged marriage is acceptable. However, if one of the people getting married doesn't want to do, this isn't an arranged marriage but a forced one.
If you don't feel like you can talk to someone you know, there are helplines, websites and other professionals that can help.
The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) provides information on what constitutes a forced marriage and provides advice and support.
Watch this short video for information on gender identity:
If you're in a mental health crisis and need urgent help, you should call the mental health crisis line 01925 275 309.
For local information, check out our Happy OK Sad website:
For free, safe and anonymous online support for young people, you can access the Kooth service, from XenZone through your mobile, tablet and desktop. Kooth also runs a counselling service in Warrington so you can talk to counsellors face to face.
Offers support and guidance if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal.
Supports and empower young people, whatever the challenges.
Helping with issues, such as depression, abuse, self-harm and more.
The council's drugs and alcohol support service can help and support you, providing a full range of treatment options and guidance for recovery from drug and alcohol misuse.
If you're self-harming, it's best to talk to someone. It could be a parent or relative you trust, perhaps a teacher or youth worker.
If you don't think you can confide in anyone close to you, talk to your GP.
What happens if I go and see my GP? Watch this short video for more information:
Self-harm: What happens when you see a doctor?
Watch these short videos that explain some of the reasons behind self-harm:
Self-harm - an animated film by young people
5 myths about self-harm
#NoHarmDone - things can change
Young carers often take on a level of responsibility that's isn't appropriate for their age or development.
They may have to help look after a family member who's sick, disabled, have mental health problems, or misuses drugs or alcohol. Their day to day responsibilities often include:
With so many adult responsibilities, young carers often miss the everyday opportunities other children have to play and learn. They can become isolated, and are often afraid to ask for help as they fear letting the family down or themselves, taken into care.
Have a look at these informative videos on what it's like to be a young carer:
My Names Lottie
Worries of a Young Carer:
WIRED Young Carers Service provides help, support and information on being a Young Carer in Warrington. Wired Young Carers Service supports young carers aged 18 or under, who look after someone with a disability, illness, mental health condition or addiction.
If you're thinking of running away, you should know there's a lot of support available to you.
If you're being bullied, abused, or unhappy at home, always try and speak to someone you trust first. People and organisations are waiting to help you. Running away will put you at more risk; you must always try to avoid it.
Here are some helplines for anonymous advice:
If you're a child in care, you should always talk to your social worker or manager.
A private fostering arrangement means typically living with someone, other than a close family relation for over 28 days.
Private fostering is an agreement made between your parent and the person who is, or will be looking after you. You may have also had involvement in making this decision.
There are all sorts of reasons why you might not be living at home, such as:
In the event of such an arrangement, you, your parent, and the person you're living with should contact Warrington Children's Social Care.
Someone will visit you at the place where you're living. They'll make sure that you're happy and well cared for, and that it's OK for you to stay there until you can go back home.
Changing your views is normal. It's OK to make new friends or spend time with different people.
But if these things are making you change your behaviour and how you treat others, it could mean you've become radicalised.
This interactive film made by Upstanding Communities, documents the choices Liam makes and the consequences when a far-right group in the UK radicalises him:
Here's several websites that provide more information on radicalisation.
Childline - worries about the world
NSPCC - protecting children from radicalisation
Educateagainsthate - What are the warning signs?
Openyoureyes.net - exposing the reality of Isis
GOV.UK/report-terrorism - Report online material that promotes terrorism or extremism
We have further information on our website about the safety and wellbeing of children:
