I’m a young person

Tell us how we did.

We want to hear from you if you think we’ve helped and done something well or could’ve done something differently.

We need this information for us to learn, so that we can improve the service we provide to all children and young people.

Here are some examples below:

• Did you understand what was happening and the reasons why?
• Did you feel that you were listened to?
• Did we include you in planning and decision making?
• Did you feel supported?
• Were we open and honest with you?
• Did we make you feel safe?
• What could we have done better?

Our Participation Officers Sarah Evans and Alex Diviney are here to help. You can text, call, e-mail or complete an online form to provide feedback and let us know how we’ve done. Good points or areas to work on, we’re here to listen.

Text, call, or WhatsApp our Participation Officers:

• Sarah Evans – 07500 608141
• Alex Diviney – 07785 934552

Email: pointofyou@torbay.gov.uk

Complete a quick online form here:

Point of You Feedback Service (office.com)

Alternatively you may wish to use the SEND version

This information will help us learn so we can improve the service we provide to other children and young people who may be going through a similar experience to you.

Tell us how we did.

We want to hear from you if you think we’ve helped and done something well or could’ve done something differently.

We need this information for us to learn, so that we can improve the service we provide to all children and young people.

Here are some examples below:

• Did you understand what was happening and the reasons why?
• Did you feel that you were listened to?
• Did we include you in planning and decision making?
• Did you feel supported?
• Were we open and honest with you?
• Did we make you feel safe?
• What could we have done better?

Our Participation Officers Sarah Evans and Alex Diviney are here to help. You can text, call, e-mail or complete an online form to provide feedback and let us know how we’ve done. Good points or areas to work on, we’re here to listen.

Text, call, or WhatsApp our Participation Officers:

• Sarah Evans – 07500 608141
• Alex Diviney – 07785 934552

Email: pointofyou@torbay.gov.uk

Complete a quick online form here:

Special Educational Needs & Disability Version – Point of You Feedback Service (office.com)

This information will help us learn so we can improve the service we provide to other children and young people who may be going through a similar experience to you.

Learn more about:

• How could being online help my mental health?
• Could being online make my mental health worse?
• Internet overuse and addiction

The following Apps can be used as useful tools for young people to learn more about mental health and emotional wellbeing and develop skills that support health habits and build resilience to support staying well:

• Worry Tree – The WorryTree app aims to help you take control of worry wherever you are. You can use the app to record whatever you feel worried about. It uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to help you notice and challenge your worries. It can also help you create an action plan for managing worry.

• Think Ninja – a mental health app designed for 10 to 18 year olds. Using a variety of content and tools, it allows young people to learn about mental health and emotional wellbeing, and develop skills they can use to build resilience and stay well. Available at app stores.

• Kooth is a free mental health provider who offers anonymous and personalised mental health support for Children and Young People online and through an app.

• Calm Heart – an app for sleep, meditation and relaxation.

• Clear Fear  – an app developed for teenage mental health charity stem4 by Dr Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, that uses the evidence-based treatment CBT to focus on learning to reduce the physical responses to threat by learning to breathe, relax and be mindful as well as changing thoughts and behaviours and releasing emotions. The Clear Fear app is recommended for the ages of 11-19 years.

• DistrACT – app gives you easy, quick and discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts. For Anyone over the age of 17 who’s concerned about self-harming.

• Molehill Mountain – an app to help autistic people understand and self-manage anxiety.

• My Possible Self – Mental health support created by world-leading healthcare professionals. Teaming up with their friends at Priory Healthcare, world leaders in mental health, they have created interactive tools and techniques, using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), customised for digital use.

• Pzizz – app to help you quickly quiet your mind, fall asleep fast, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed. They create beautiful “dreamscapes” — a mix of music, voiceover and sound effects designed using the latest clinical research — to help you sleep better at night or take power naps during the day.

• Student Health App  – provides easy access to more than 900 pages of reliable health information all in one place. The content has been created for university students by NHS doctors and is regularly updated.

• Feeling Good Teens | Waiting Room – offers Positive Mental Training audio programmes for 10 to 15-year-olds to develop self-esteem, resilience and goal-focused motivation. Feeling Good’s research in the NHS shows that this can help with letting go of worries, cope better with stress, and sleep better.

If you’re being bullied, whether it’s online or at school, university or work, it can be really difficult and leave you feeling hurt – but you are not alone. Advice on how you can tell someone and get help.

Bullying can happen anywhere and be about anything. We’ve got advice about different types of bullying, and how you can get help and support.

Anti-Bullying Alliance: Anti-Bullying Alliance

Childline: Bullying advice and getting help: Getting help with bullying | Childline

NSPCC: Bullying and cyberbullying: Helping Children Deal with Bullying & Cyberbullying | NSPCC

Young Minds: Bullying | Get help and advice | YoungMinds

NSPCC Different types of bullying:  https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/types-bullying/

What is Know Your Normal?

Know Your Normal is a resource for autistic young people to work out and understand what their normal is.

Know Your Normal toolkit

This Know Your Normal toolkit has been by young people to other young people outline what their ‘normal’ is so they can explain to those who support them when they aren’t feeling themselves. 

Know Your Normal | Ambitious about Autism

Read about self-help guides, tools and activities that can improve your mental health.

Guides, tools and activities – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Adolescence refers to the period of physical and psychological development between childhood and adulthood. The beginning of adolescence is around the onset of puberty, which brings dramatic alterations in hormone levels and consequent physical changes.

Puberty onset is also associated with profound changes in drives, motivations, psychology, and social life; these changes continue throughout adolescence.

Teenager’s brains change a lot before they reach adulthood. This includes the brain getting better at recognising emotions.

During teenage years, young people are not using their brains in the same way adults might, they often make decisions based on emotion, impulses and aggression – adults use more problem solving skills.

There are lots of interesting YouTube videos about teenage brain and behaviour development.

Download or view our information on brain development in teenage years.

The Mental Health Support Team (MHST) are an early intervention service focused on evidence based, guided self-help to help improve children and young people’s mental health. We offer therapeutic support to young people as well as working closely with school to develop the whole school awareness of
mental health and emotional wellbeing. Click here for more information.

Watch this video to find out more.

Download the MHST Information booklet here or the Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner booklet here.

Refer to Child and Family Health Devon (CFHD) for mental health support for your child or young person .

A free, downloadable self-kindness toolkit packed with activities to support building resilience, coping with stress and worries, and connecting with others.

A confidential service supporting children and young people aged 11-24 years old who are struggling with their wellbeing.

If you’re experiencing or have experienced difficult things and it’s stopping you living your life
then come and get some support.

You can access support as many times as you need (minimum of 10 days in between each session).

There are both one to one and group options available. We can do telephone or virtual appointments if needed too.

Time and Days:

All drop in sessions occur weekly.

Tuesdays – at Old Parkfield House – 38 Esplanade Road, Paignton, TQ3 2NH – 1pm – 4:30pm.

Thursdays– at CheckPoint – 7 Victoria Road, Ellacombe, TQ1 1HU – 3pm – 4:30pm.

Brixham, by appointment only.

More Information:

For any more information, call 01803 290330 or pop in and see us.

Time for young people, Torbay | The Children’s Society

Torbay has been chose to host the South West leg of the UK’s biggest suicide prevention initiative!

It is a charity event aimes at promoting better mental health across the bay and raises awareness of the impact of suicide.

The event will run on Tuesday 20th September 2025 and will involve around 100 baton bearers participating in a relay walk across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. Various wellbeing events will be held along the route, ending with the BIG show of hope!

Torbay has a significantly higher average of residents impacted by suicide (estimated 2,700 local residents) and the Torbay Baton of Hope aims to bring that figure down.

For more information, go to their website: Home | Torbay Baton Of Hope

Torbay Young Carers Service are a friendly team based within Torbay Council’s Children’s Services. We provide a range of support and opportunities to young people who are in, or likely to take on a caring role.

What do we mean by Young Carer?

Torbay Young Carers Service works with young people aged up to 18, whose lives are affected by caring.  The person being cared for may have a disability, a serious or long-term illness, mental ill-health or be affected by addiction issues.

The person being cared for is usually a parent, sibling or other family member.

The care tasks young carers may be involved in include:

• Practical care – Cooking, Cleaning, Shopping.
• Personal care – Washing, dressing or toileting.
• Family responsibilities – Managing money and household budgets, Completing forms and/or household responsibilities.
• Medical care – Reminding the cared for to take medication, administering medication, giving injections etc.
• Emotional care – Listening and/or talking to the cared for person about their feelings, concerns and difficulties.
• Care of younger siblings – Helping to look after a sibling because their parent/s are unable to, or need assistance at times.

Young carers may be the sole carer, or they may be supporting another family member in care tasks

What support do we Provide?

The support plan will vary depending on the individual needs of the young carer or their family, but examples include:

• Information and advice
• Young Carers Groups
• In-school support
• Activities and outings
• Individual support
• Family events
• Advice on making services accessible to young carers
• Training and awareness events around young carers

Contact Us:

• By telephone on 01803 208100
• By email at youngcarers@torbay.gov.uk
• Young Carers Service – Torbay Council

Relationships can make you feel amazing. But they can also leave you feeling stressed out and upset. Get advice if you’re having problems with relationships. 

Pressure to do well in exams can be overwhelming and affect your mental health. Here’s some advice if it’s all getting a bit too much.
How to beat it
Talk
Having someone to talk to about your work can help. Support from a parent, tutor or other adult can help you talk about your worries and keep things in perspective.

Eat well
During the exam period it is important that you eat well. Always eat breakfast and do not skip lunch. Going into an exam with an empty stomach will affect your concentration. But, avoid a big meal just before your exam as it can make you feel sleepy.

Fruits and proteins are good source of energy
Avoid too many high sugar, high caffeinated drinks
If possible carry a water bottle to the exam hall to rehydrate

Sleep
Good sleep will improve thinking and concentration. You need between 8 and 10 hours sleep a night. Stop studying, using a computer, playing electronic games or watching TV at least half an hour before bed. Cramming all night before an exam is a bad idea.

Exercise
It is a proven that regular exercise reduces stress. Even a brisk walk to school before your exam will help you to feel more relaxed.

Time Out
It’s really important that you take time out to relax. Try to build time off into your revision timetable and take regular breaks to do something you enjoy. Enjoy your time off, but you need to get enough sleep so avoid late nights!

Organise and Prepare
Make sure you have all the things you need for the exam: your stationery, your identity badge, your watch, water bottle etc. Last-minute searching for things can stress your mind further and create panic during the exam. For the hour or so before your exam, take time out to relax. Don’t stress yourself by trying to cram more information to your already worked-up brain! Have a drink, eat a light snack and take some deep breaths.

Forget
Once the exam is over try not to worry about the results or waste time discussing what your friends have written. Go and do something you enjoy and then plan how you can best prepare for your next exam.

Kooth is an online mental health and wellbeing service for children and young people.

Kooth can support you with whatever you’re struggling with, big or small:

• Sadness and low mood.
• Anxiety.
• Loneliness and isolation.
• Stress.
• Problems at home.
• Problems with friends.
• Problems at school.
• Eating difficulties or body image concerns.

Here are some things to remember about Kooth:

• It’s free.
• You can be completely anonymous.
• No bullying or discrimination takes place.
• No referral is needed.
• Signing up and getting started only takes a few minutes.

You’ll be able to access support from:

• online chats with a member of Kooth’s team.
• a supportive online community of young people.
• lots of helpful activities, goal setting tools and journaling.
• lots of helpful advice and information from Kooth’s team.

Watch Kooth’s short video here

We provide help to young people aged 8–18 across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. We can speak to you on the phone, online or face to face. We can help you overcome the challenges that hold you back. Achieve the things that matter to you. Give you skills and strategies to help you move forward.

Everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, we help hundreds of young people every year. If you need it, we are here.

To refer to Checkpoint, please scan the QR code

or click to open the Referral Form

There are lots of way to feel calmer. It’s about finding what works for you. Try some of CalmZones breathing exercises, activities, games and videos to help let go of stress.

Abuse in teenage relationships is when you begin to feel scared or controlled by the person you’re with. You may be confused because it feels like a loving relationship but often only when you behave in a certain way. This can happen at any age, regardless of gender.

When you’re living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is, having access to the right information – about a condition, treatment options, or practical issues – is vital. Mind can help.

Having an active sex life can lead to health benefits such as improving the condition of your heart, reducing stress and improving mental health. Being part of a happy, healthy relationship can also reduce depression and anxiety. Even just having a hug can reduce your blood pressure and improve your sense of well-being.

These pages provide information and advice on topics that we hear about in our clinics every day that are related to your sexual health and general well-being.

Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage is an engaging child-led, parent/guardian supported therapeutic intervention that can be used on most smartphones or tablets.

It facilitates graded exposures (the active ingredient of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) with psychoeducation to empower 7-12 year olds with mild to moderate needs to learn to self-manage fears, worries and anxiety.

It is practical, age appropriate, non-stigmatising, encourages self management and provides user progress and health outcomes data in real time to authorised professionals.

Find out more about the app here.

Self-harm is when people hurt themselves or damage their health on purpose. Sometimes people do this in secret. There are lots of different reasons why someone might self-harm, but there are also different ways to cope and get help.

TRIGGER WARNING: This page contains information about self-harm which may bring up difficult feelings.

Why do people self-harm?
There are lots of reasons why young people might self-harm. The need to hurt yourself usually comes from emotions that are very difficult to cope with.

Young people might self-harm because it’s a way of releasing tension or controlling something. It’s a physical pain that you can deal with, rather than an emotional feeling that you might find hard to cope with. Self-harm can also be used as a form of self-punishment for something you feel bad about.

Feeling alone, angry, experiencing low self-esteem and not feeling good enough can also lead to self-harming. The reasons for self-harming can be very personal so it’s okay if you don’t know why you self-harm. Whatever you are going through, you don’t have to deal with things on your own, contact Childline or Bromley Community Wellbeing and try to find other ways of expressing your emotions – check out Childline’s self-harm coping techniques.

Young Minds has information and resources for young people, for parents, and for professionals. Focused on mental health and wellbeing this website also provides helpful resources such as conversation starters for parents to help them talk to their children about their mental health and wellbeing. Find out more at the website Young Minds.

If you or someone you know self-harms there is always a listening ear available from the Samaritans.

The Hub of Hope is a first of its kind, national mental health database which brings together organisations and charities, large and small, from across the country who offer mental health advice and support, together in one place.

Pete’s Dragons offer support and comfort after suicide loss.

Anaphylaxis Campaign – Information for parents with a risk of severe allergy and and practitioners.

Find out about the different types of eczema, treatments and triggers, and download our booklets and factsheets. 

https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/

Also see Eye care | SeeAbility

Asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in children in the UK, with around 1 in 11 children and young people living with asthma. The UK has some of the highest prevalence, emergency admissions and death rates for childhood asthma in Europe. Outcomes are worse for children and young people living in the most deprived areas.

Click on the link to get to the asthma resource section supporting children, young people, families, and everybody else involved in looking after them.

School nurses are the key people linking education and health and take over from the health visitor when children start school, and are there to support them until they leave school at 19.

Our Health Visitors will support you in getting your child ready for primary school. They will provide guidance on arranging pre-school immunisations and advice about healthy eating, toileting, hand washing, etc. At five years your child moves to the care of our School Nurses.

School Nurses are qualified nurses who have specialist training in Public Health and offer support to children and their families throughout the school year as part of the Healthy Child Programme 5-19. Some screenings and immunisations are provided through schools. If your child is home educated and you would like some advice from the school nurse, please do contact us.

Public Health Nurses are qualified nurses that work alongside Health Visitors, School Nurses, Community Nursery Nurses.

Community Nursery Nurses have a variety of qualifications and skills in child development and have expertise and knowledge supporting children and families. They work with the Health Visitors, School Nurses and Public health Nurses in the 0-19 service.

If you have concerns about your school age child you can speak to a School Nurse by either phone or by attending a local drop-in session. Contact our advice line (see below for details) or visit one of our Drop in’s. Dates, times and venues in our what’s on section.

Your School nurse can provide advice and support on issues including:

• Behaviour
• Emotional health and wellbeing
• Continence issues e.g. soiling and enuresis
• Developmental concerns
• Advice, information and signposting to sexual health and contraception services
• Growth and weight concerns
• Advice and information in relation to lifestyle concerns including smoking, drugs or alcohol
• Supporting pupils and their families/carers with newly diagnosed medical conditions

What if I want advice outside of school?

You can either phone our advice line on 0300 333 5352 (Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm) or email us tsdft.0to19torbay@nhs.net whichever is easier.
Referral to 0 to 19 for school age children and young people.

Starting school in September

Here’s how the team can help. View or download the information poster and leaflet.

General information about allergies, including helpful resources to support families getting advice.
There are many kinds of allergies, from food, which is probably the most widely recognised, to skin, respiratory, eyes, drugs and venom and allergy. While in most people, allergy reactions will be mild to moderate they can be fatal in a condition called anaphylaxis, the most severe allergic reaction which requires an immediate emergency response.

It has been collated in this area to help you support families with helpful information about common allergies and anaphylaxis and to facilitate early conversations.

Information and awareness training from 0 to 19 Torbay’ anaphylaxis lead

IntrOducing 0 to 19 Torbay’s anaphylaxis lead video on 0to19 site

Epipen Anaphylaxis
https://youtu.be/PBfaejstk14

Jext Anaphylaxis
https://youtu.be/DASYq86TlfU

Emerade Anaphylaxis
https://youtu.be/v_85kWCZCcM

An attractive and healthy smile is important when meeting people and making friends. And it can boost your confidence and help you feel good about yourself.

If you don’t look after your teeth and gums properly you could suffer from a number of different conditions that will make you stand out from the crowd for all the wrong reasons

Allergy UK – Support for people living and working with people with serve allergies

Anaphylaxis UK – Information for parents with a risk of severe allergy and and practitioners.

An allergy is a reaction the body has to a particular food or substance. Find out more about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/allergies/

Eczema
Find out about the different types of eczema, treatments and triggers, and download our booklets and factsheets. https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/

Eczema
Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is the most common form of eczema, a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. Find out more here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/

What does puberty mean?
Puberty is when a child begins to grow and develop into an adult.

Puberty For girls
The average age girls start to notice changes is around 11 years old.

• The first sign is often the beginnings of breast growth – this varies from person to person.
• Body hair will grow.
• They will sweat more (and it may smell).
• They may start getting spots and pimples.
• They grow! (About 2 – 3 inches a year).
• Their body shape will change – their hips will widen, waist gets narrower and they will have more body fat on arms, legs and upper back. This is normal and as long as children keep active and eat healthily, it is nothing to worry about.
• Periods (menstruation) usually begin around two years after you first notice early signs of puberty.

Puberty for boys
The average age boys start to notice changes is around 12 years old.

• The first sign is often testicles (balls) getting bigger and the skin of the scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles) getting thinner and redder.
• Body and facial hair grows, getting thicker and curlier as puberty progresses.
• Their voice will get deeper. As this happens your child’s voice might sometimes go squeaky or deep.
• Their penis will sometimes be erect. This can happen without warning, sometimes because of sexual feelings, sometimes for no reason at all.
• They may notice some swelling around their nipples, this does not last and it is normal.
• They have a growth spurt! (About 3 inches a year) and become more muscular.

Contact your 0 to 19 Torbay advice line for support from our school nursing team. Your 0 to 19 Torbay School Nurse Team – Family Hub
Tel: 0300 333 5352 (Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm)
Email: publichealthnursing.torbay@nhs.net

Alongside daily hygiene habits such as washing your hands, brushing your teeth and generally keeping clean to reduce spreading germs and infection, there is also a social aspect to personal hygiene. This is around body odour and dental hygiene.
As a young person, your body might already be going through a number of changes, or it soon will, so maintaining good personal hygiene and establishing daily routines are important, especially as some of these changes can be a source of anxiety for some people.
Here are some hygiene basics to help you stay healthy and clean, so that you don’t have to worry about smelly underarms or feet.

Your skin and spots
During puberty your skin changes and tends to produce more oil that can lead to spots. You should work out the type of skin you have and buy products to fit this. For example, your skin type might be combination/normal, dry or oily
• Make sure you thoroughly cleanse your face in the morning and evening
• If you wear any make-up, make sure to remove this before bed
• Hydrate and moisturise your skin
• Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy, balanced diet
Some teenagers develop acne and get a large number of spots that can become infected. This needs treatment and you should speak to your GP for advice on how to manage this. You may need specialist treatment and / or products

Body odour
During puberty, your sweat glands start to develop. Body odour occurs as a result of bacteria feeding on and breaking down the sweat on the body.
To manage body odour, you can:
• Shower daily and make sure you are wearing clean clothing to avoid bacterial build up, particularly after any physical activity
• Regularly shave and wash your underarms thoroughly
• Start using deodorant, roll on or spray. Some deodorants are also antiperspirants, which could cause you to sweat less.
If you are concerned by the amount you are sweating, or your body odour has worsened or changed, then you can visit your GP for advice or speak to one of our school nurses.

Dental hygiene
Making sure you maintain good dental hygiene is key to avoiding bad breath and other issues such as gum disease.
Make sure you:
• Brush your teeth twice day
• Floss
• Visit the dentist regularly.

Smelly feet
Young people can be prone to smelly feet, even if they are not doing lots of sports.
To avoid or manage this:
• Make sure you wash your feet properly when you’re in the shower
• Make sure your feet are completely dry before putting on your socks and shoes
• Visit your GP if you feel it is getting worse or not getting any better.

If you need further help or support, your school nurse is available to discuss any issues or questions you may have in relation to puberty and body changes confidentially.

As well as having negative social affects, poor hygiene and hand washing causes health problems. Poor hygiene can cause sickness and disease. Poor hygiene can also cause social rejection and may also lead to bullying, low confidence and low self-esteem. – see also word doc for more information.

Contact your 0 to 19 Torbay advice line for support from our school nursing team. Your 0 to 19 Torbay School Nurse Team – Family Hub
Tel: 0300 333 5352 (Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm)
Email: publichealthnursing.torbay@nhs.net

The one stop shop for all you need to know about sleep. Great resources and videos to share.

Home – Teen Sleep Hub

Childhood vaccinations – or jabs have been around for over 200 years starting with the first smallpox vaccine.  Different vaccinations are given out at different times across childhood.  But don’t worry if you or your child has missed out you can catch-up.  Vaccines work by teaching your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases.  Think of antibodies as your body’s defence system.  It’s much safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them.  Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, it can often protect you for many years.

Vaccines all have different names depending on what disease they are helping to protect you against.  The diseases they cover may be in their medical term rather than how we know them so whooping cough has the medical term pertussis!  They may also be reduced down as their long name is a bit of a tongue-twister – so Hib stands for Haemophilus Influenzae type b.

They can also be delivered to different sites – thigh, upper arm or into the nostrils.

Below lists the standard routine childhood immunisations with when you should have expected to have them, what they are for and where you will receive them.

Routine Childhood Immunisations poster

Frequently Asked Questions:

I think I’m missing some of my childhood vaccinations – how do I find out?
First step is to find out whether you have a completed red book which includes a section on your vaccination history.- You can also check your vaccination history via the NHS app.

I know I am missing some of my childhood vaccinations – how do I access them?
Contact your GP surgery to find out the best way to book in for your missed vaccinations.

I’m not sure if my child is up to date with their childhood vaccinations – how do I find out?
First step is to check your child’s red book which includes a section on your vaccination history.
If you’re not sure you took this with you to the vaccination or you can’t find it. The next step is the NHS app from here you can also view your child’s vaccination record. If you’re child has not been added to your account, please contact your GP surgery.

I know I my child is missing some of their childhood vaccinations – how do I access them?
Contact your GP surgery

Are vaccines important?
Yes! Vaccines can help prevent you or your child becoming infected. The side-effects of these diseases can cause painful and/or permanent disabilities. Vaccines also help to protect the community, we see less of these nasty infections because of the majority of the population is vaccinated – something referred to as herd immunity. This also helps to protect those who can’t get vaccinated or have low immune systems for example those undergoing cancer treatment.

Some of the vaccines such as the HPV vaccine help to also reduce the risk of cervical cancer later in life.

If you’re a young person and would like to catch up on any vaccines you have missed, these can still protect you as you head into adulthood. They’re not just for when you’re young!

Useful sites:

• Vaccination tips for parents – NHS
• Why Vaccination is safe and important

Spotlight on Measles: This is an infection that can spread easily for example through the sharing of utensils, towels, clothes or bedding. 

It can appear like a cold with symptoms like a high temperature, runny or blocked nose, sneezing and a cough.  It can include red, sore, watery eyes – which means at the first stage you may not know it is measles. 

The rash will appear a few days later. 

Measles can lead to more serious problems such as pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures – this is why the vaccine is key to protect the community. When a child or adult has measles they can’t attend nursery, school or work for at least 4 days after the rash appears.  They need to avoid close contact with babies, people who are pregnant and people with weakened immune systems.  Catching measles in pregnancy can cause miscarriage or still birth, premature birth or having a baby of low birth weight.

Big Brush Club are working with schools and early years settings to offer supervised toothbrushing for children every day. They equip staff with all the tools they need to run toothbrushing sessions, as well as provide expert guidance and ongoing support help parents and carers to understand the importance of oral hygiene by providing lots of support and resources for families.

NHS England has selected At Home Dental, to deliver the Big Brush Club supervised toothbrushing programme for children in Early Years settings across the Southwest.

Look out for them popping into our family hub coffee mornings soon where they can offer advice and support on looking after your baby or child’s oral health.

Click on the button and for tips, information, advice and fun brushing videos.

As your teenage years are such an important time for growth and development, a healthy, varied diet is essential to ensure that you receive all the energy and nutrients you need to concentrate well at school and take part in sports and activities. Top tips from the British Nutrition Foundation

Nutrition for teenagers – British Nutrition Foundation

Advice and guidance from the NHS

Understanding calories – NHS

Information and advice if you or someone you know things they might have an eating disorder.

The UK’s Eating Disorder Charity – Beat

How much physical activity should children and young people aged 5 to 18 do to keep healthy? Advice and guidance from the NHS

Physical activity guidelines for children and young people – NHS

The only person who can say if you’re ready for sex is you. If you are thinking about having sex for the first time there are some things that you might want to think about first.

Childline have put together the following advice to help you decide;

You might be worried about being left out, not being seen as mature or like you need to have sex to prove that you care about someone. Or people around you might be making you feel like you should have sex.

You can find more resources, advice or Talking to a Childline counsellor | Childline  on the childline website.

Find more information about being prepared, staying safe and what to do if something goes wrong from the Devon sexual health service. 

There are a range of helpful websites that you can access online. If you discover additional resources that may be useful, please advise the Knowledge Lead for this topic.

Contraception, Sexual Health and HIV Service  | Devon Sexual Health

Online Safety for Children – Tips & Guides | NSPCC

About the That Guy campaign | That Guy (that-guy.co.uk)

Gender Identity & Mental Health | Guide For Parents | YoungMinds | YoungMinds

Thinkuknow.co.uk | NCA CEOP

eddystone.org.uk | The Eddystone Trust

culturereframed.org | Culture Reframed | 
Free training packages for parents, e.g. ‘Porn and the Brain’

heygirls.co.uk/education/schools/| Hey Girls| 
A new resource to help schools have positive conversations with their pupils about periods.

Brook, Healthy lifestyles for young people/| Brook| 
Free confidential sexual health & wellbeing experts including Lets’ talk period

What do you expect of your girlfriend/boyfriend?
When’s the right time to take things to the next level, and how do you know?

HOW TO GET HELP

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or contact the Devon Sexual Health Service. Alternatively, you can always contact your school nurse.

• w: Thinkuknow- Sex and the law
• w: BBC Advice- Age of consent

Condoms, what are they and what do they do?

How do you use a condom?

Get answers to all your questions here plus useful video’s

How to put a condoms on

How to choose the right size 

Taking care of your own sexual health is important. Find out more about –
safer sex, pregnancy, Thrush, bacterial vaginosis, general hygiene and more

CheckPoint are no longer accepting referrals for young people aged 8–18 across Torbay. A new service will be starting in April and we will add more information as soon as we have it.

You can contact the new Torbay Council Young Peoples Drug and Alcohol Service by emailing YDAS@torbay.gov.uk

Flying the nest – how to stay safe if you’re Leaving home for the first time, worried about spiking, festivals or cannabis edibles? Get advice from FRANK

Frank News | The Latest Stories and Articles | FRANK

I Am More Academy is a quality-assured alternative provision in Torbay, created from lived experience and built on trauma-informed, restorative practice that empowers. Our focus is to provide young people with safe, flexible and relational support that helps them feel understood, build confidence and prepare for their next steps.

We work with young people who may:

• have high anxiety, sensory differences or developmental trauma.
• need a flexible EOTAS package.
• be struggling to attend or engage in school.
• have SEND or SEMH needs requiring consistent, relational support.
• need mentoring as they prepare for adulthood and post-16 pathways.

Our approach:

We deliver a three-tier Alternative Provision model:

• Early intervention to support re-engagement before issues escalate.
• Time-limited placements to bridge gaps in mainstream.
• Longer-term therapeutic provision for those with complex or ongoing needs.

At I Am More, relationships come first. We listen to each young person’s story, meet them where they are, and co-create sessions shaped around their strengths, interests and identity. Our provision is not about ‘filling time’ – it is about restoring trust, building resilience, and helping each young person see what’s possible for them.

We use Therapeutic Outcome Measures (TOMs) to evidence growth in confidence, participation, communication and wellbeing. Parents have described the change as ‘finally having hope again’, while young people tell us they feel ‘seen’, ‘understood’ and ‘not judged’ in ways they haven’t before.

What this looks like:

Success looks different for everyone: it might be re-engaging with learning after months out of school, developing the confidence to share their story, or completing their first in-house work experience linked to future aspirations. We place a strong emphasis on careers, confidence and communication, with a focus on student-led life skills that build employability, entrepreneurship and preparation for adulthood. Sessions are fun, practical, creative and tailored, helping young people develop skills they can carry with them into education, work and life at every stage, while growing in self-belief, resilience and courage.

Who and where:

We support young people aged 11-25 across Torbay and Devon. Our site is close to Torbay Hospital, with both quiet indoor and outdoor learning spaces. Sessions can be delivered through 1:1 work, small groups, school-based AP delivery, whole year-group enrichment days, community settings or online. We remain flexible to meet each young person’s individual needs.

Previous partnerships include:

Devon & Torbay Councils, Torbay Virtual School, school-to-school referrals, Careers Hub and Enterprise Network, STEM Ambassador Programme, Discovery College Plymouth, and The Prince’s Trust to name a few…

Contact Details:

I Am More Academy

156 Newton Road, Torquay, TQ2 7AQ
🌐 www.iam-more.co.uk
📧 contact@iam-more.co.uk
📞 07396784614

Referrals and Enquiries:

For any referrals or enquiries about capacity, please get in touch and we can navigate the best level of support and scaffolding you have in mind for your young person.

Check out YouTube for videos around teenage brain development.

Find out what’s happening in your brain!

Your brain changes as you hit adolescence. Going to sleep later? See how the changes in your brain explain some of the changes in your behaviour.

Free online short course if you live in Torbay, just use the code TAMAR Online Learning

Feeling overwhelmed? Confused? Want to know more about your feelings? Your thoughts?

This course is for you!

There is even a Module on the emotional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Free if you live in Torbay, just use the code TAMAR

Online Learning

Local Supported Internships for young people aged between 17 and 20 have taken place in various employment settings and in various job roles – these have included working as a Sales Assistant, Hospital Porter, Ward Clerk, Cleaner, Ward Buddy, Tyre Mechanic, Waiter, Chef.

Sound Communities have produced a video featuring our young people talking about Supported Internships, and the opportunities they have had.

Young people told us:

• School helped me create a CV and have talked a lot about getting a paid job
• I’m trying all the time to be as independent as I can be
• My school helped me to get a paid job at a café and I’m also learning to drive, I feel very independent

Many young people already have part-time paid jobs and feel this has helped them become more independent.

Young people involved in Supported Internships told us:

• The help I’m getting to find a paid job in the future
• I like the team I work with and the role, it makes me want a job
• We have a laugh, I’m now used to using the machines and talking to customers
• I like to organise the products and clean the shelves; I make everything look neater
• It has helped my social skills, after COVID I found it difficult to get out
• I make cakes, prepare food, cook and learn about all the different spices
• All the opportunities available to me
• The people are the best thing, I like talking to the customers, I even have a regular who always comes to me
• I wanted a job that makes a difference, which the NHS does, regardless of what I do there
• The team are very supportive, they understand the different needs of everyone. I even get help with interviews
• I’m enjoying being able to do the extra curricular work of L1 maths in between the programme
• The support getting to and from the placement
• I am nervous to move out of my home but I want to live and work in Exeter. The supported internship is giving me the work experience I need to get a paid job
• The programme is getting me ready, I’m no longer worried about life

Young people involved when asked what could be better, told us:

• Nothing, it’s all good
• I’d like to be able to do more of the mechanical work and not just tyres
• I want to go on the till but you need to be on their system, in a paid job, for that
• My options have been limited because of my physical disability. I need an admin job but it’s hard to find a setting with the right facilities for me
• The environment isn’t busy enough for me, I preferred it in my last placement, I like the stress
• I would like a paid job there now

Young people involved when why a bussiness should employ a young person who has Special Educational Needs and or Disabilities (SEND), told us:

• We find it harder to get a job, giving us more opportunities would be good. I’m good at organising!
• I work really hard and put my mind to it, I keep working at it and I think straight, not much affects me.
• Depends on their needs. I bring pros and cons to a workplace, I talk a lot which is good for customer interaction but could be bad for business if you’re not getting anything done, I’m working on that.
• I bring humour 🙂
• A child with SEND can learn a lot from the workplace so give them the opportunity.
• People shouldn’t be treated differently, we should all have the same opportunities.
• Giving the same opportunities to all even if some young people have issues/needs.
• Give them a chance, we need to give back to society too.

The course covers nine topics to help you with independent living. During the course you’ll explore housing, finances, how to look after yourself and how to stay safe whilst living independently. Select the link below to register for a learning account.

Register for an account