Support & Guidance
Click on any of these links to access a range of useful information for parents and carers. If you do have a concern and would like to speak to a member of the team, then please do not hesitate to contact us or make a referral.
Worcestershire Children First:
Worcestershire Children First is responsible for the delivery of services to children and young people across Worcestershire.
National helplines for adults and children:
Childline
A place a child or young person can talk to someone about something they are worried about. They can do this online or over the phone. 08001111
NSPCC
This charity works against child abuse – a helpline is available for parents or other adults concerned about a child (0808 8025544).
The Samaritans
A confidential helpline which offers support and advice to those in emotional distress. - 116 123
Young Minds Parentline
Offers information and advice to anyone worried about a child or young person under the age of 25. - 0808 802 5544
Papyrus
Charity working to prevent young suicide with a helpline for those worried about themselves or someone they know (call 0800 068 4141; text 0778 620 9697).
General mental health advice and support:
Action for Children
Provide practical and emotional care and support for children, young people and their parents/carers; ensure children and young people’s voices are heard; and campaign to bring lasting improvements to their lives.[Text Wrapping Break]
Big White Wall
Online counselling service for young people aged 16+.
CALM
The Campaign against Living Miserably aims to reduce suicide rates among young men in the UK.
Doc Ready
Prepares young people for their first visit to their GP to talk about their mental health.
Get Connected
Support and signposting for young people under the age of 25. Telephone, email, text and web chat support.
Kooth
Online counselling and support for children and young people.
Mind
National mental health charity providing information and advice.
Sane
Information on mental health, as well as telephone, email and text support. Includes an online forum for over-18s.
SHOUT
Free 24/7 mental health service that you can text if you need additional support
The Mix
Mental health information and support for the under-25s.
Time to Change
Personal stories from young people about why mental health matters.
The Youth Wellbeing Directory
Online resource for families and young people up to the age of 24 listing local mental health services in their area.
Helpers in the Community – Prevention of Young Suicide
Anxiety:
Anxiety UK
Live chat and email support for children and young people experiencing anxiety.
No Panic
Helpline for young people who suffer from panic attacks, OCD, phobias, and other related anxiety disorders (0330 606 1174).
Bullying:
Bullying UK
Advice and support for dealing with bullying.
Depression:
Charlie Waller Memorial Trust
Includes information for children and young people on how to recognise the signs of depression.
My CAMHS Choice
Information and support for young people who have been referred to the CAMHS system.
Students Against Depression
Information, advice and real-life stories for university students struggling with depression.
Eating disorders:
Beat Eating Disorders
Helplines, online support and self-help groups on all types of eating disorder.
Self-harm:
Life Signs
Information and support on self-harm in children and young people.
National Self-Harm Network
A forum providing crisis support, resources and advice on dealing with self-harm.
Recover Your Life
Information and support around self-harm. Includes forums, online chat, open 24/7.
Self Harm UK
Information for parents and professionals on self-harming behaviour.
LGBTQ+:
Stonewall
Stonewall campaigns for the equality of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people across Britain.
Mermaids
Mermaids supports gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care.
Apps/Tools for Children and Young People:
Healthy Minds
Problem-solving tool aimed at students.
InHand
An app to help young people through the ups and downs of life; it suggests activities to help based on how you rank your mood.
Mindshift
Specifically for young people to help them manage their anxiety. There are lots of tools, techniques and advice.
Mood Panda
Half moodtracker, half social network. It allows children and young people to choose whether to keep their mood private or share it publicly for support from other Mood Panda users.
Mood Scope
A mood tracking tool; the basic features are free but you have to pay for more in-depth features.
Moodometer
An app as well as an online resource which helps children and young people monitor and understand their emotional wellbeing.
Personal Zen
Games that have been clinically proven to reduce stress.
Recovery Record
Self-help tool for children and young people suffering from eating disorders.
SAM (Self-Help for Anxiety Management)
Help with anxiety management which includes interactive games and tools, and an anxiety tracker.
Stop, Breathe and Think
Guide to meditation which recommends certain meditations based on how you’re feeling.
Online Safety:
CEOP
This is the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre. It’s a one stop shop for most information about online safety.
Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline.
Internet Matters
A great site for helping parents keep their children safe online.
#DITTO – FREE ONLINE SAFETY NEWSLETTER
#DITTO is a free online safety (e-safety) newsletter in PDF format for schools, organizations and parents to keep you up to date with risks, issues, advice and guidance related to keeping children safe online, with a view to enjoying and learning about technology. A new edition is released approx. every 6 weeks.
NSPCC – Parent Controls
Advice on setting up parental controls to help you keep your child safe online.
Childline
It’s not always easy to know what’s safe online and what’s not. Here you can find advice to help you keep safe and to know what to do when things go wrong.