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• Professionals from the health, education, youth, social care, and voluntary sectors attend NSPCC Jersey open days
Practitioners share how therapeutic service Letting the Future In supports children who have been sexually abused
Dozens of professionals who work with children and young people across Jersey have attended a series of sessions at NSPCC Jersey’s centre in St Helier to find out more about a therapeutic service it offers to help children who have experienced sexual abuse rebuild their lives.
The open days provided professionals with the chance to learn more about the Letting the Future In service, which operates out of the charity’s Gower Centre, and the referral pathways available to them.
The service provides a therapeutic intervention for children and young people aged 4-17 who have disclosed sexual abuse.
NSPCC research highlights that on average one in 20 children have been sexually abused, which can take place in person or online and most likely by someone the child trusts.
Janice Kearsey, Volunteer Adviser at CAB Jersey, was impressed by the offer. She said: “I don’t see too many incidents of this kind of thing, but it’s helpful to know that if someone comes in and talks about any concerns that they may have that this service is there for them.
“I was a bit shocked to hear about the number of children affected, absolutely stunned really, because when you think that means one in every primary school class which is just staggering really. It’s very sad, but good to know that NSPCC Jersey has this service available.”
The open days included a tour of the centre and the therapy rooms that have been specially designed for the work.
Janice added: “It is a lovely environment, I was really impressed with the rooms and everything and it’s very comforting to know that there is a therapeutic service available to these people who have suffered such trauma, and I think it can only be a good thing really.”
Esme Holley, Youth Enquiry Service counsellor also attended the open day. She said: “In these sorts of situations children are absolutely intimidated. They fear that they are going to get people into trouble, so walking into the building I thought to myself, ‘yes, this is a safe place to be’, that was my first feeling. It is a lovely building, it’s got a lovely feeling to it. It’s not a scary place.”
Stephanie Harding, Vicky Clayton and Jenna De Freitas all work as Children’s Service Practitioners at NSPCC Jersey, delivering the Letting the Future in service, which works with the child for up to a year during weekly sessions, as well as the safe carer.
Vicky said: “The Letting the Future In open days offered us an opportunity to share with other professionals in Jersey how the service can support children and young people who have been sexually abused rebuild their lives.
“We know that sexual abuse can leave children with a lots of identifiable mental health conditions, and by offering this service our hope is that children can have a much more positive future.”
Stephanie added: “The open days gave us an opportunity to advise professionals about the referral criteria, assessment process and how we deliver the therapeutic service to children and young people.”
More than 40 professionals attended sessions held throughout September.
Children’s Service Practitioner Jenna De Freitas said: “It was really positive to see such a diverse range of professionals attending the four sessions we held, giving us a chance to highlight the positive outcomes we are already seeing from service-users who have completed the programme.”
Feedback from the sessions has been encouraging.
Linda Lock, Family Support Worker at Caritas said: “I think it is really positive and really important, especially with the pressure on young people today and how important it is for them to feel self-respect and in control of their lives. It’s lovely, it’s bright and airy and colourful and it seems very child focussed which is lovely as well. It seems like a great place.”
The Association of Jersey Charities granted £50,000 towards the cost of NSPCC Jersey’s Letting the Future In programme this year.
As well as Letting the Future In, NSPCC Jersey also offers Pregnancy in Mind for expectant parents who may be at risk of experiencing low mood or anxiety. Its Schools Service delivers free Speak out Stay safe assemblies to primary schools across the island.
