The Children's Society

Louise was in crisis when she came to us. But now, her future looks bright. 1 in 4 of the young people referred for mental health support in the UK last year are still waiting for help. This #GivingTuesday, you can help end a child's wait: https://lnkd.in/diRx3_3

TW: Self harm For some young people, it can feel hard to speak to someone when pressure builds up. And this can lead to them harming their bodies, as a way of coping. This Christmas, we must end the wait for support, and stop crisis in its tracks: https://lnkd.in/etikJ-eB

More than 1 in 5 children and young people who had experienced trauma said that they didn’t think their problems were serious enough for mental health support. But the longer it takes for young people to receive support, the worse it can get. Our drop-in services mean young people can get help straight away from specialist practitioners, as soon as things feel difficult. By stepping in early, we can stop crisis in its tracks. Leave a 🧡 below if you agree.

The new £250m Children’s Social Care Prevention Grant is a much needed down-payment which we hope will pave the way for greater investment in the family help that many so sorely need. Read the statement by the Children's Charities Coalition: https://lnkd.in/e3dGxXiu

By speaking to and about young people who have been victims of exploitation with care, compassion, and understanding, we can rebuild trust and ensure that blame is placed where it should be - on those abusing them: https://lnkd.in/esevrUvW #LookCloser

In a new national child safeguarding practice review, the experiences of 193 children who were sexually abused by a family member have been investigated. Our CEO Mark Russell said in response: "This report lays bare a devastating truth: too many children at risk of sexual abuse are being failed by a system that reacts too late. Professional confidence is eroding, early intervention is neglected, and children are left unprotected until it’s too late. We cannot be too afraid to name this for what it is. Child sexual abuse is a horrific crime, and we all have a role to play in stopping it. “We urgently need a system that not only acts earlier to prevent abuse but equips every professional—whether in schools, health services, or social care—with the training and confidence to identify and respond to it and which brings them together to disrupt perpetrators." "This report is truly shocking, and it comes after the stark findings of the IICSA inquiry. The Government’s call for a national action plan must now deliver real change. It must prioritise prevention, strengthen professional training, and unite police, social care, and education to stop abuse in its tracks. No child should be left unprotected."

I’m proud to be a member of the Charity Reform Group, a group of 14 Charity CEOs who’ve come together to argue for a new vision for government, business and charities to work together for social good. Each of our charities brings experience, evidence, creativity, innovation, and solutions, and charities' have centuries of service which translate to real solutions today. Read my essay in the #ForcesForGood report here: https://lnkd.in/ekBTEwCT #CharityReformGroup

How we speak to and about victims of child exploitation makes a big difference to whether they feel safe and understood.    That's why we've created an appropriate language guide, in collaboration with NAPAC: https://lnkd.in/esevrUvW   #LookCloser 

We’re so excited to launch Time for young people, Leeds – our new emotional wellbeing support space for young people who live in Leeds. Time for young people offers free, accessible support for children, where they can drop in and meet trained staff one-to-one. From individual support to group workshops, Time for young people, Leeds helps young people to develop new skills and provides resources to support their wellbeing. We’re able to offer help as early as possible, to help prevent crisis. Time for young people, Leeds has been made possible by funding from the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board 🧡 Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eVMVE6pY

Exploitation can happen to any child, anywhere. In corner shops and taxis, in hotels and on trains. We’re partnering with British Transport Police and the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s #LookCloser campaign to raise awareness of child exploitation and the important role that we can all play in preventing it: https://lnkd.in/esevrUvW