Safeguarding
At Winchester Youth Counselling, we believe the safety and wellbeing of young people is paramount. We hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of safeguarding and are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for every young person we support.
Our Safeguarding Responsibilities:
Identifying and responding to potential harm: We have comprehensive procedures for identifying young people at risk of harm, including emotional, physical, sexual, and online abuse. Our qualified staff are trained to recognise signs of distress and support young people appropriately.
Working collaboratively: We work closely with other agencies, such as social services, schools, and mental health professionals, to ensure coordinated support for young people who need it most.
Empowering young people: We create a safe space where young people feel heard and empowered to speak up about their concerns. We encourage open communication and respect their confidentiality within legal and ethical boundaries.
Continuous improvement: We are committed to continuously reviewing and improving our safeguarding practices, ensuring they remain aligned with best practice and statutory requirements.
Shared Responsibility:
We believe that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. This includes our dedicated staff, volunteers, trustees, and anyone who comes into contact with young people through our services. We work together to build a culture of safety and vigilance, where everyone feels confident to report any concerns about a young person’s wellbeing.
We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all young people.
If you have a concern about the safety of a young person under 18 in the Winchester District, please contact their school in the first instance or report your concern through Hampshire County Council: https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/safeguardingchildren.
See the following website if you have a concern about the safety of vulnerable young adult: https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/adultsocialcare/safeguarding
If you are concerned about an active client or a young person on our waiting list, please also email admin@winchyc.org and it will be directed to the most appropriate member of the clinical team.