Safeguarding for Children

How to get help - Places you can go for help and advice

Sometimes you need to talk to someone about a problem you are having. If it is an emergency call 999.

You may want to talk to a social worker about something that is worrying you. Social workers in Bristol can be contacted here - Concerned about a child?

The following links and organisations will be able to give you advice and support about anything that is worrying you.

ChildLine

You can contact ChildLine about anything, no problem is too big or too small. ChildLine can be contacted in four ways:

• ChildLine Phone: 0800 11 11 (24 Hours, Because ChildLine is an 0800 number, calls are free and don't show up on a BT or cable phone bill. Calls to ChildLine are currently free from all the existing networks - 3, BT Mobile, Fresh, O2, Orange, T Mobile, Virgin, Vodafone. Calls will not appear on any of these bills). 

• Email You can email ChildLine about anything - no problem is too big or too small.

• 1-2-1 Chat (24 Hours) Online Chat with a ChildLine counsellor.

• Ask Sam Sam will answer letters you send about anything and everything that is worrying you.

E-safety - Internet, Mobiles... how to stay safe and happy.

• thinkuknow - advice, training and support on how to use the Internet and mobile phones safely, including advice on using Facebook and other social networking sites safely from CEOP. 

Staying safe - Useful advice and information about different issues

Alcohol

• Adfam - For families and friends of alcohol and drug users - 020 7553 7640

• Alateen - for any teenager who is bothered by someone else's drinking. They offer support and guidance and hold regular meetings - 020 7403 0888

• Alcohol Concern - 020 7264 0510

• Drinkline - 0345 320 202

• Talk About Alcohol - aims to give you the FACTS. What is alcohol? How does it affect young people? Which laws should you know about? Knowing the score will help you to make your own decisions about alcohol in the future.

Bullying

• Bullying - online

• Kidscape - Anti-Bullying charity, 08451 205 204 Helpline for parents and carers. If you are a child or young person contact Childline: 0800 11 11

Domestic violence and abuse

Domestic abuse is when one grown-up hurts or bullies another grown-up who is or was their partner, or who is in the same family. Domestic abuse can happen between people who are boyfriend and girlfriend or who are married. If this is happening in your family, remember that you are not alone. Domestic abuse happens in many families and there are people that can help you and your family. Everyone has the right to be and feel safe.

• SupportLine: 01708 765200, email: info@supportline.org.uk - Telephone Helpline providing confidential emotional support to Children, Young People and Adults on any issue including domestic violence. Keeps details of other agencies, support groups and counsellors throughout the UK.

• The Hideout - Women's Aid have created this space to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action if it's happening to you.

Drugs

• Cranium Caviar - for drugs and drink advice, the law, personal safety and a whole lot more
• FRANK - Information for anyone concerned about drugs
• Drugscope - 020 7520 7550
• Release - Drug facts, bust card (information on what to do if arrested) contaminated drug alerts - 0845 4500 215

Sexuality and gender

• Gay and Lesbian Switchboard - 0117 942 0842

• Freedom Youth - Freedom Youth is for lesbian, gay and bisexual young people, and those questioning their sexuality aged 13-21 years. Freedom Youth is based in central Bristol and is part of the LGB young people's project within Youth and Play Service's based in Bristol.

• Education Action Challenging Homophobia - 0808 1000 143

Other information

• Ethnic Minority Achievement Service - helps raise the achievement level of black and other minority ethnic pupils - 0117 903 1366

• Support Against Racial Incidents (SARI) - 0117 952 5652

• Relate for Young People - If you are aged 10-25 and your parents, step-parents or carers are separating or argue a lot, Relate can help. You can talk in private about your experiences and feelings with a Relate Counsellor - 0300 100 1234.

Remember not all telephone numbers are free to call. If it does not say 'Freephone' there may be a cost involved, also calls to freephone numbers from a mobile often cost.