Further information for Children and Young People

Bullying affects lots of young people and happens in many schools but it’s the way it’s dealt with which makes the difference between life being tolerable or a misery for many. There is no legal definition of bullying. But it is usually defined as repeated behaviour which is intended to hurt someone either emotionally or physically, and is often aimed at certain people because of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation or any other aspect such as appearance or disability. 

Avice and help if you or someone you know is being bullied

Relationships can be confusing and it can be difficult to understand what is and isn’t normal behaviour. Healthy relationships are all about respecting each other. You should feel loved, safe and free to be yourself but disrespectful and unacceptable behaviour can come in many forms. It isn’t limited to just physical behaviour; it can also go way beyond that. For example, it’s not OK for someone to try and pressure you into sending a nude pic, or to expect the same things to happen that they’ve seen in a porn film. If someone makes you do something you don’t want to, makes you feel scared, intimidated or tries controlling you, it’s not acceptable and is never OK. There’s a person attached to every body, respect both.

More information about the Disrespect Nobody campaign which includes videos, animations and quiz.

Are you affected by someone else’s drug and alcohol use? This leaflet explains what you can do and how to get help.

There is help and support available for children, young people and families on tackling drug and alcohol issues. This leaflet explains how the Matthew Project can help.

For more information on drugs you can also visit the Talk to Frank website.

Are you questioning your sexuality or gender identity? Norfolk LGBT+ Project can provide support, information and advice on different aspects of your life from coming out, medically or socially transitioning, relationships, improving communications between family members and friends, bullying, mental health and hate crime. They believe by working in partnership with relevant organisations to achieve the best outcome for your health and wellbeing. 

Go to Norfolk LGBT+ for more information

Let’s keep the internet fun. CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) have some really good advice and useful videos about keeping you and your friends safe. Check out their website and videos and ‘Keep Safe’.

• Jigsaw – Internet Safety Video for 8-10 year olds
• Tom’s Story – Internet Safety Video for 11-13 year olds
• Claire’s Story – Internet Safety Video for 14+ year olds

What is CyberBullying? The use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature: children may be reluctant to admit to being the victims of cyberbullying. It can be perpetrated by individuals or a group of people and often (but not exclusively) involves teenage and pre-teen age groups.

• Don’t Say Don’t Send – advice for young people
• Leaflet on CyberBullying for primary children
• UK Safer Internet Centre – Online Safety Tips, Advice and Resources

Kooth is an online counselling service for 11 – 25 yr olds in Norfolk & Waveney which offers:

• A free, confidential, anonymous and safe way to receive support online.
• Out of hours’ availability. Counsellors are available from 12noon to 10pm on weekdays and 6pm to 10 pm at weekends, every day of the year on a drop in basis.
• Online Counselling from a professional team of BACP qualified counsellors is available via 1-1 chat sessions or messaging on a drop in basis or via booked sessions.
• Discussion Boards which are all pre-moderated allow young people to access peer to peer support.
• Online Magazine full of moderated articles many of which are submitted by young people offering advice and guidance on a huge range of topics.
• No referral required. Young people can register for Kooth independently at www.kooth.com

To use the service or find out more visit www.kooth.com, or watch this short video to find out more: 

Norfolk and Suffolk Children’s and Young People’s mental health services provide specialist help for children, families and young people experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties.  

Visit their website and find out more

Healthtalk have some information and support for a range of health issues from seeing and hearing people’s real life experiences. Thousands of people have shared their experiences on film to help you understand what it’s really like to have a health condition.

There is a new national initiative called Shelf help available in all of Norfolk’s public libraries to support young people like you and your friends and family if you are dealing with mental health issues and to raise awareness of common issues, including advice and information about issues like anxiety, stress and OCD, and difficult experiences like bullying, body image and exams. More information

Self-harm is purposeful injury or harm to oneself. Some people self-harm as a way of dealing with very difficult thoughts and feelings that they can’t cope with in more positive ways. Many young people self-harm and it is thought that about 1 in 10 people in the UK have self-harmed.                          More information

Check out this information leaflet on Sexting.

What is a young carer?

• A young carer is a person under 18 who provides practical and/or emotional support for another person, usually a family member because of a health condition. They may be providing care for a parent, grandparent or guardian, or helping their parents care for another child in the family.
• The person they care for may have a disability, a long-term or temporary physical or mental illness, or have issues with substance misuse.
• There are over 5000 Young Carers in Norfolk but many are ‘hidden’ because they do not realise they are a young carer. This may be because they consider it simply is ‘how life is’, or because of fears of stigma/other people becoming involved in their situation.
• Being a young carer can have a significant impact on their physical and mental health, educational attainment and their transition into adulthood.

What support is available for young carers?

Norfolk County Council have commissioned a specialist support service for young carers and their families across Norfolk, looking after the needs of the young carer themselves, as well as the whole family. The Young Carers & Family Service is a partnership of voluntary sector organisations, young carer groups and youth work providers. The partners are:

• The Benjamin Foundation
• Caring Together
• GYGYC
• Holt Youth Project
• MTM Youth Services
• Suffolk Family Carers
• Voluntary Norfolk
• West Norfolk Carers

Young carers or any member of their family can ask for support directly, or a professional such as a teacher, youth worker or GP, can make a referral on their behalf. Call the Carers Matter Norfolk Advice Line if you are seeking or would like to discuss support for yourself or for someone else. It is FREE to call and advisors are available 7 days a week. 0800 083 1148 You can also make an online referral at www.youngcarersmatternorfolk.org

You will find more details about the Young Carers service, the partners and other young carers groups and support available, including information about Young Carers Needs Assessments and Young Adult Carer Transition Assessments in this Sources of Young Carers Support in Norfolk which has been prepared by Caring Together and their Norfolk Young Carers Forum project.

• Click here for a guide for young carers and their families in Norfolk

Youth Advisory Boards (YABs)
Youth Advisory Boards are commissioned by Norfolk County Council to bring together young people and professionals working with young people such as the police, health, education and the voluntary sector.

The YABs are youth led by local young people aged 11-19 and up to 25 with SEND. All seven YABs are chaired by young people and led by a diverse cohort, aiming to represent of the wider population of young people. Find out more about YABs here.

Norfolk in Care Council (NiCC)
Every child and young person who is in our care is automatically a member of Norfolk in Care Council (NiCC).
If you want to attend NiCC meetings, we have regular virtual and face to face meetings. There are also other ways to get involved including shorter term projects. Visit the NiCC page here.