Article: How to get help

If you, or someone you know, is being mistreated, hurt, or abused in any way or if you're not being cared for properly, don't keep it to yourself.  There are people you can talk to.  If you live in Barnsley, you can ring any one of our Assessment Teams during the day to speak to a social worker.  In the evening or weekends you can call our Emergency Duty Team.

You can also call into any police station and ask to speak to any police officer in private, or you can call Childline.  In an emergency, you should always call 999.

These are the numbers to call for the Assessment Service including Teams East and West and the Joint Investigation Team; the Disabled Children's Team or Childline

The Assessment Service incorporating Teams East and West and the Joint Investigation Team
Team East 01226 438831 or 438852
Team West 01226 772423
Joint Investigation Team

01226 787460 or 787461 or 787465
Disabled Children Team 01226 774050
Emergency Duty Team 0844 984 1800
Childline 0800 1111

If you feel threatened or afraid, and are worried about talking to a social worker, try talking to someone you know and trust, like a teacher, a learning mentor, a youth worker, a school nurse or even a friend - just talk to someone.  They can then contact the right people to help you.

You might be worried about other things such as being bullied, being scared by someone when you're on your computer, your parents drinking or becoming violent, getting pregnant, and lots more. 

On this page, we have listed some websites that can help you deal with problems like this.  These sites can give you lots of information and advice, but remember, if you're scared or worried the best thing to do is TALK TO SOMEONE!

NEW

A young person's guide to the Children and Families Act 2014 and how it affects you is available here.

Give us your Views

This leaflet explains how to send us your comments, compliments or complaints

The Children's Rights Director has issued a couple of new guides to explain how the law aims to protect and support children and young people:

Guide to Working Together 2013

Guide to Keeping Safe

I know I can

"I know I can" is a concept for young people to help fulfil their potential.  Through its dedicated website it aims to build confidence, help young people to create their own dreams and aspirations; raise qualification levels; strengthen life skills; use help and support; take ownership and develop a real "I Know I Can" attitude

Accident Prevention

This link will lead you to useful information on accident prevention

Being in care

  • Guide to your Looked after Children Review  This leaflet can be printed - To print in the form of a booklet you need to choose the option in Printer Properties - "2 sided print - flip on short edge"
  • Who Cares? Trust
     Online information system specially designed for children and young people who are separated from their families and living in residential or foster care
  • Carelaw
     Information for children and young people in care on education, health and religion, as well as changing your name and leaving care.
  • Rights 4 Me Is the official website for the Office for the Children's Rights Director for England who has istened to what children and young people who live away from home have to say about how they are looked after. If you live away from home then this is the place to find out about your RIGHTS and a way for you to BE HEARD

Bullying

  • Bullying UK
     This site is part of Family Lives a national charity providing help and support in all aspects of family life.
  • Kidscape
     Examines bullying as a form of child abuse and gives useful links to other relevant sites 
  • Anti-Bullying Alliance  A coalition of organisations and individuals who work together to stop bullying and create safe environments

 Child abuse

  • Childline
     Call 0800 1111 Provides a free telephone counselling service for young people in trouble or danger

Children with a disability

Depressed or having negative thoughts

A new charity MindFull, has been launched by the team behind BeatBullying to give 11 to 17 year olds immediate access to free online professional counselling support and advice.

Drugs and alcohol

  • FRANK
     A website for young people providing free, confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours a day
  • Young Addaction Barnsley  provides a range of services specifically for under 18's, including advice and information and a needle exchange programme

E Safety

            See seperate page on Staying safe online

Guns and knife crime or victim of crime

Legal advice

Physical, mental and sexual health

Private Fostering

Are you living with soemone who is not your immediate family?  Will this be for more than 27 days?  If so this is called a private fostering arrangment and it is important that the Council knows about this to make sure that your home is safe and meeting your needs.  This leaflet gives more information.

Self harm

Self-Harm Awareness Day aims to bust myths around self-harm. More information is available on the self harm website  for young people that provides support and information about recovery from about self-harming

 Young Carer

Are you a young carer?  This leaflet and referral form offer advice and support

 

Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board Policies and Procedures are available here