Bexley S.H.I.E.L.D. has agreed 5 shared ambitions for all young people in Bexley:
- All young people are safe from harm
- All young people are healthy and enjoy healthy lifestyles
- All young people enjoy and achieve at school and/or college so that they have the skills they need for life and future employment
- All young people have access to leisure and opportunities for fun as they are growing up
- All young people are active in their communities, their experiences count and they have a voice with influence.
Below are a number of pages with information for young people on a range of subjects relating to safety and well-being – some of these pages were developed with the support and input of students from Erith School.
‘Keeping yourself and your friends safe’ campaign
Bexley Safeguarding Children’s Board (the previous partnership arrangement before Bexley S.H.I.E.L.D.) led some work on young people’s mental health and well-being from 2017. The campaign ran a competition with schools and other young people’s forums to design a logo/icon for the housing information for young people online. The winning design was chosen at a consultation event in March 2018.
The NHS defines self-harm as when somebody intentionally damages or injures their body. It’s usually a way of coping with or expressing overwhelming emotional distress.
Our friends and peers can influence our day-to-day decisions; sometimes their influence can be a good thing, and at other times, they can pressure us to do things we don’t actually want to do.
What is consent and how does it play out in real life situations? How does positive consent work?
Staying safe at school includes going back to school after the holidays, school work and exam stress, and dealing with bullying.
Childline have produced a useful resource on gangs on their website covering what gangs are, why young people join them, what the law says, how you can help your friends if they join a gang, and more.
Being caught with a knife can mean up to four years in prison, even if you haven’t used it.
There is a lot of advice and help for young people about staying safe online including websites recommended by Bexley young people.
Are you a young carer in Bexley? Support services for young carers in Bexley are provided by Imago Young Carers.