Organisations working to safeguard children
There are a number of organisations, networks and support groups working within Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan that can offer help and advice. Some of these are listed below.
Cardiff Specific Organisations:
- StaySafe is a multi-agency project that aims to keep young people safe in Cardiff in the evenings. The team help keep young people safe and educate them on risk-taking behaviours. There is a StaySafe Facebook page
- For school age children Cardiff Against Bullying works with children who are being bullied as well as the perpetrators to break the cycle of bullying. You can get more information on the website www.cardiffagainstbullying.co.uk
- The Cardiff Family Information Service can be your first point of contact for information about local services for children, young people and families. Visit their website www.childcareincardiff.info/fis
- The Sprout is an interactive website that encourages creativity and direct involvement while providing information on activities and services available to every single young person in Cardiff. Find out more at www.thesprout.co.uk
- The Cardiff Youth Service works with young people to develop interesting, challenging and creative opportunities and experiences. Visit their website www.cardiff.gov.uk/youth
Vale of Glamorgan Specific Organisations:
- The Vale Family Information Service can be your first point of contact for information about local services for children, young people and families. Visit their website www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/fis
- Vale of Glamorgan Youth Service aims to give young people the opportunity, support and information they need to reach their full potential. visit their website
- Vale Bullying aims to establish a coordinated, consistent approach to dealing with bullying in the Vale of Glamorgan schools, youth and community settings. Visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/bullying
There are also several national organisations working to help protect children and can offer advice and support on different subjects.
Your Doctor – Your GP can help with health related problems, as can the health visitor or school health nurse. You can find out more about the health services operating in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan here www.cardiffandvaleuhb.wales.nhs.uk/home
Drug and Alcohol misuse – If you are worried about a problem with alcohol or drugs there is a young persons substance misuse service in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The substance misuse nurses can carry out interventions, support and educate young people, signpost them to different services and offer advice to parents and carers. They can be contacted directly on 029 2090 7675 or 029 2090 7678.
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) is dedicated to eradicating the sexual abuse of children. They offer advice and help to keep children and young people safe especially online. The web address for CEOP is www.ceop.police.uk and has dedicated sections for parents and carers as well as children and young people.
The Safe Network – www.safenetwork.org.uk Though England-based, much of it is relevant to parents and carers in Wales.
Barnardo’s Cymru – provides 88 services across the country working with vulnerable children, young people, families and communities, helping them to build a better future. Every Barnardo’s service is different but each believes in the potential in every child and young person, no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. www.barnardos.org.uk/wales
National Society for the Protection of Children – The NSPCC protects children across the UK. They run a wide range of services for both children and adults, including national helplines and local projects. www.nspcc.org.uk
Meic – an advocacy, information and advice helpline for children and young people in Wales. Find out more about MEIC here www.meiccymru.org. If your life is in a bit of a tangle or you have a problem and need to speak to or contact someone, MEIC is for you. You can talk to Meic 24/7 by telephone, text message and an instant chat service online
Young Minds – can offer children advice if you are feeling low or worried. YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. They also provide expert knowledge to professionals, parents and young people through our Parents’ Helpline, online resources, training and development, outreach work and publications. www.youngminds.org.uk
TheSite.org – is the online guide to life for 16-25 year-olds in the UK. They provide non-judgmental support and information on everything from sex and exam stress to debt and drugs. www.thesite.org
Teenage Health Freak – this website provides web-based, accurate and reliable health information to teenagers in a contemporary, cringe-free, entertaining and informative way. This website has a lot of information for people dealing with abusive relationships, drugs, smoking, relationships, sex and if what you want isn’t covered you can submit a question to the site. www.teenagehealthfreak.org
