For children and young people

Growing up today can be really hard at times - find information to help you keep safe and make safe choices. 

On this page

Staying safe online

Think U Know is a set of resources developed by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre to help educate young people, parents and teachers about safe and positive use of the internet.

Visit the Think U Know website

Child exploitation 

Child exploitation is a form of abuse that involves the manipulation and/or coercion of young people under the age of 18 years for someone else’s advantage, gratification or profit. This often results in the unjust, cruel and harmful treatment of the child. 

We want to be clear that the shame of these crimes does not belong to the victims and their families, but to those who commit these crimes.

Reporting concerns about child exploitation

If you are being exploited, then speak to a professional you trust, someone who knows and supports you. This may be a member of staff at your school, a youth leader or your GP. They will know how to respond and who to contact for further information. 

If you don’t know who turn to, these organisations can help [PDF].

Getting help to overcome abuse: A guide for young people receiving support (Scie and NICE) [PDF]

You can also contact Nottinghamshire Police or Nottinghamshire Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub to report a crime or to report concerns about a child at risk of abuse or exploitation:

Nottinghamshire Police

If you are a victim of child abuse including child exploitation, or worried for the safety or wellbeing of a child, find out different ways you can get in touch on the Nottinghamshire Police website. 

Nottinghamshire Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub

If you are worried that a child is at risk of abuse, report your concerns to Nottinghamshire County Council on the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

Further information and resources

You can find further help and support on the following links:

Road safety

The NSCB has sponsored the development of a road safety film by young people in the county to highlight the importance of being alert when using the road. It is available for use in schools and colleges.

Watch this 1:30 minute YouTube film deliver a powerful message about road safety:

Young people's pages

Get news and information on activities and events for young people provided by Nottinghamshire County Council.

Go to Youth services (Nottinghamshire County Council)

ChildLine

A free 24-hour helpline for children and young people. You can call about any problem at any time, day or night. ChildLine's counsellors are there to help you find ways to sort things out. Their website can also offer you help and advice.

Telephone: 08100 111

Go to ChildLine website

Health for teens website

A useful website particularly designed for teenagers offering health advice:

Go to Health for Teens website

Once on the home page please click on tab on the top of the page that says 'My area', then select 'Nottinghamshire' from the drop down menu.

You can find out how to:

  • text your school nurse for confidential health advice and support
  • get help with all kinds of things such as: healthy eating, relationships, sex, emotional health, bullying, smoking, self-harm, contraception or alcohol and drugs
  • find out the truth behind the rumours
  • videos
  • quizzes

And so much more…

Self harm 

Information and advice on dealing with the urge to self-harm:

www.thesite.org/healthandwellbeing/mentalhealth/selfharm

Bullying

If you think that bullying is just a part of everyday school life, you're wrong. No-one deserves to be bullied and you shouldn't ignore the problem.

Visit Bullying at school (GOV.UK)

Private fostering

If you are under the age of 16 (18 if you’re disabled) and your parent(s) have asked someone who is not a close relative to look after you for 28 days or more, you may be in a private fostering arrangement. If this is the case the person who looks after you is called a private foster carer.

For more information about private fostering arrangements see our private fostering booklet [PDF]

Other useful websites and contacts

Children's Commissioner

The Children’s Commissioner for England's website covers a range of important issues for children and young people and how you can get adults to listen.

Go to Children’s Commissioner for England

Find out about the child protection process

The child protection process helps to keep you safe. Young people have produced two leaflets that explain what it is and how it works.

If you are unhappy about the way this process has worked for you, you can complain about it. The following leaflet tells you how:

Child protection complaints: a guide for parents, carers and young people [PDF]. 

Scroll to top of page