We know parents want to keep their children safe, and that at the same time conversations about safety can be difficult.
We also know that with the right support and advice from the adults they trust, young people want to, and do, make the right choices.
You can help them stay true to themselves, and build their confidence about the right thing to do – so they can trust their instincts and make their own positive decisions, knowing that there is always someone they can turn to.
We’re not here to tell you how to parent. Just to share the approaches young people and youth workers have told us work best when having difficult conversations.
Stay True to You supports positive conversations about safety with young people.
It’s an evidence-led approach based on what youth practitioners and young people have told us works. It aims to make sure young people know there are trusted adults, and other sources of advice and help, available if they need them. Our resources are free and available for anyone working with young people.
It’s about championing young people. Lifting them up. Helping them see that they can trust their own abilities and are able to make their own positive choices – helping them stay true to themselves.
The best way to engage with a young person is to be TRUE:
TALK
Create open and honest dialogue with your child and their friends. Build respectful relationships. They may not always want to share with you out of fear of judgement or consequence, but you can overcome this.
Don’t dwell on their futures – they’re living in the here and now. But do try to explore the consequences, in all their forms, to help build young people’s confidence and inform their own positive choices.
RECOGNISE THE REALITY
Feelings of safety are shaped by many influences, in the real world and online. How safe they feel can change their behaviours and choices. Spot the signs – withdrawing, spending time away from home, negative peer groups. If you’re concerned, act upon it, talk to them.
Acknowledge what’s happening and recognise their feelings and fears, but without adding more. Help them see past myths or negative influences by offering facts and information.
UNDERSTAND
Demonstrate you’re trying to understand by truly listening to their experiences. Give them space to talk freely with no judgement.
EMPOWER
Help young people understand their own capacity to avoid conflict and stay safe. Help them recognise the things they can positively do for themselves, and encourage them when they make the right choice.
Always make them feel safe to ask for help. And if it’s not you, who else can they talk to who you both trust? Help them see there is always someone there for them.
Stay True to You is here to help you have better conversations.
Below you’ll find free practical materials, intended for anyone engaging with young people, to help start meaningful conversations about safety.
Please contact us to order free, hard-copy printed materials of any of the below resources.
Free training is also available to support use of the Stay True to You approach.
Email: info@staytruetoyou.co.ukThe insights behind Stay True to You
All of this starts with what young people and youth workers told us. Start here to dive into the core principles of our approach, understand how young people feel about their safety, and consider how we can best communicate with them.
Download
pdf, 808.41 KB
Upcoming training dates
Free online sessions available for parents/carers, family members and the wider community. Delivered by The Ben Kinsella Trust, these engaging sessions help you to have those difficult conversations and explore the wider issues that can put young people at risk, from online harm to exploitation.
Upcoming training dates can be viewed here
Parent/Carer information booklet
A free booklet with advice for parents/carers on how to help keep your child safe.
Download
pdf, 2.68 MB
Watch again: Online training sessions
We will be making available recordings of the training sessions for parents to watch again in their own time.
COMING SOON
Want to know more?
If you want further information, or to signpost young people to other organisations that can provide help and support, there are services and activities available wherever you live.
Report a concern for adults or children
If you have a concern for an adult or a child, and if they are in immediate danger, contact 999. If not, you can report through your local safeguarding process. Each local authority (your council) will have details on its website.
We’ve listed the adult and child safeguarding processes for each area in the drop-down menus below.
Thames Valley Police
The police are there to help you stay safe. If you need to report a crime or share a concern – particularly if someone is becoming involved in drugs or knife crime – you should contact the police by calling 101, or if it is an emergency and someone may be in danger call 999. You can also report information online via www.thamesvalley.police.uk
Fearless
Pass information about a crime that may have happened or about someone who may be involved in crime – without giving your name or any details. Your information may help save someone’s life crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless
CEOP Safety Centre
Worried about the way someone has been communicating with you online, or about online sexual abuse? You can report your concerns or speak to one of CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors. There is advice on how to stay safe online, and information on how you can make a report to CEOP on its website www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Childline
A confidential service for young people offering support on many issues – not feeling safe, mental health, family problems, loneliness and more – they have a free 24/7 helpline 0800 1111 and lots of information on their website https://www.childline.org.uk/
Safe! Thames Valley
Charity providing support to children and families affected by crime, providing counselling, advocacy for children in the criminal justice system and other services https://www.safeproject.org.uk/
The Ben Kinsella Trust
Leading anti-knife crime charity, with a wealth of resources for parents and practitioners https://benkinsella.org.uk/
Victim Support
Providing phoneline and wider support for adult and young victims and those who have been affected by crime, including families and parents https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
National Careers Service
Advice for parents/practitioners on how to support young people in considering their future careers https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice
Young Minds
Young Minds is a charity providing mental health support for young people, along with advice for parents and professionals https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Connections Support
Operating across the Thames Valley to provide advice and support on housing and homelessness, mental health, cost of living and help for vulnerable young people https://www.connectionsupport.org.uk/
Report a concern
If an adult or child is in in immediate danger you should contact 999 and speak to the police. If not, you should report your concern to Milton Keynes City Council through their safeguarding adult or children processes.
milton-keynes.gov.uk
Community Information database
Milton Keynes Council’s Community Information database has links to a wide range of local services and leisure activities.
milton-keynes.gov.uk
MK Council’s Drug & Alcohol Support Service
For all young people and parents, providing assistance with substance misuse. milton-keynes.gov.uk/
16-19 Team
Milton Keynes Council’s 16-19 Team provides support for those not in education, training or employment, as well as support with drugs and alcohol, the local SEND offer and support for care-leavers. milton-keynes.gov.uk/
YMCA MK
Supports young people with housing and careers advice and provides safe spaces.
mkymca.com/
Youth Network MK
Run out of Bletchley Youth Centre, it provides clubs and projects for young people across Milton Keynes, with a particular focus on the Bletchley area. ynmk.org.uk/
Fresh Youth MK
Supporting young people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds via mentoring support, to help them realise their ambitions. freshyouthmk.org/
MK Dons Sports & Education Trust
Provides a range of positive activities, education and health and wellbeing opportunities for young people from across Milton Keynes. mkdonsset.com/
Young Person’s Sanctuary Milton Keynes
Part of Mind MK, and supporting young people’s mental health. Safe, non-judgemental drop-in services. mind-blmk.org.uk/
Report a concern
If you have a concern about an adult or child and they are in immediate danger you should contact 999 and speak to the police. If they are not in immediate danger, you should report your concern to Buckinghamshire Council through their safeguarding adult or children processes.
buckssafeguarding.org.uk
Youthspace
Services, support, activities and events for young people across Buckinghamshire.
familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Youth Voice Bucks
A hub for youth participation, listening to young people and acting upon what they say.
youthvoicebucks.co.uk
Buckinghamshire Family Information Service
Provides information for children, young people and families, including a directory of activities and services.
familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Wycombe Wanderers Community Trust
Offers a number of health, wellbeing, physical activity and education and employment programmes for young people.
wycombewanderersfoundation.co.uk
7Roadlight
A charity offering 1-2-1 mentoring for young people and for wider families.
7roadlight.co.uk
Action4Youth
Works across Buckinghamshire to support young people and their families. They run safe spaces and youth clubs, deliver holiday activities and support with life skills and careers.
action4youth.org
Community Impact Buckinghamshire
Coordinates volunteering opportunities across the county.
communityimpactbucks.org.uk
Report a concern
If you have a concern about an adult or child and they are in immediate danger you should contact 999 and speak to the police. If they are not in immediate danger you should report your concern to Oxfordshire County Council through their safeguarding adult or children processes.
For adult safeguarding: osab.co.uk/
For child safeguarding: oscb.org.uk/
OxMe.info
Everything about young people for young people. Services, activities, and opportunities for young people across Oxfordshire.
oxme.info
Oxfordshire Family Information Service
Provides information and support for children, young people and families, including a directory of activities and services.
oxfordshire.gov.uk
Oxfordshire Youth
Supports young people with all aspects of their lives, from their mental health to staying safe, housing and careers advice. Offering activities and opportunities to young people, parents and practitioners oxfordshireyouth.org
Oxford United in the Community
Provides support for young people and activities to improve health, wellbeing, self-esteem and build life skills.
ouitc.org
Oxfordshire Community & Voluntary Action
Coordinates volunteering opportunities across the county.
ocva.org.uk
Report a concern
If you have a concern about an adult or child and they are in immediate danger you should contact 999 and speak to the police. If they are not in immediate danger you should report your concern via your local council safeguarding process.
Search “report safeguarding concern + your local area”
Bracknell Forest Service Directory
Provides information on services and activities for young people and families.
bracknellforest.fsd.org.uk
Slough Information & Services Guide
Provides a directory of services and activities for young people and families.
sloughfamilyservices.org.uk
YES Consortium Slough
Provides free activities for young people.
yesslough.org.uk
Windsor and Maidenhead
The local authority website details local services and activities.
rbwm.gov.uk
Berkshire Youth
Works across Berkshire to provide activities, safe spaces, support, education and careers opportunities for young people and those who work with them.
berkshireyouth.co.uk
Together As One
A youth-led charity that works primarily in Slough and Langley with young people of all backgrounds. It provides safe spaces, activities, support with mental health and SEND, advice on careers and housing.
togetherasone.org.uk
Number 22
A charity offering free counselling to adults and young people throughout Windsor, Maidenhead and Slough. They provide free support to help anyone with concerns and worries about their life.
Report a concern
If you have a concern about an adult or child and they are in immediate danger you should contact 999 and speak to the police. If they are not in immediate danger you should report your concern via your local council safeguarding process.
Search “report safeguarding concern + your local area”
Reading Borough Council
The Council website guide details local services and activities.
servicesguide.reading.gov.uk
Brighter Futures for Children
Providing a complete youth service for Reading, with youth workers, youth clubs, activities, support for those with SEND, and care leavers.
brighterfuturesforchildren.org
Wokingham Borough Council
Their service directory details local services and activities.
directory.wokingham.gov.uk
Wokingham Targeted Youth Service
Provides support to vulnerable young people, working in the community from local centres. Provides mentoring and works with other local partners to provide support.
wokingham.gov.uk
West Berkshire Service Directory
Provides information on services for young people and their families.
directory.westberks.gov.uk
Starting Point
A Reading-based charity providing community mentors to young people, offering activities, alternative education and safe space drop-in centre.
startingpoint.org.uk
No.5
A Reading-based charity providing counselling, mental health support and creating opportunities and activities for young people. It has an excellent local signposting service.
no5.org.uk
No.5 Signposting
A service for young people to access services across Reading and the surrounding area.
signposting.no5.org.uk
Reading FC Community Trust
Offers a wide range of activities for young people from the local area including health, wellbeing, education, physical activities, life skills, coaching and employability opportunities.
readingfc.co.uk
Reading Voluntary Action
Coordinates volunteering opportunities for young people.
rva.org.uk
Berkshire Youth
Works across Berkshire to provide activities, safe spaces, support, education and careers opportunities for young people and those who work with them.
berkshireyouth.co.uk
