Children & Young People Support

Helping Children Feel Safe, Supported & Heard

Every child and young person deserves to feel safe, loved, supported, listened to, and emotionally secure. Childhood should be a time where children can learn, grow, build confidence, and develop healthy relationships in stable and supportive environments.

However, children and young people can sometimes face emotional challenges caused by family difficulties, school pressures, bullying, mental health struggles, financial hardship, safeguarding concerns, separation, trauma, abuse, instability, or stressful life events.

Right First Time UK aims to provide balanced, child-focused guidance and information to help families better understand children’s emotional wellbeing, support needs, safety, and development.

This page provides general guidance and signposting only and is not medical, safeguarding, or legal advice.

Understanding Children’s Emotional Wellbeing

Children and young people experience emotions just like adults, but they may not always know how to explain how they feel. Stress, fear, conflict, uncertainty, or major life changes can sometimes affect behaviour, confidence, emotions, relationships, and development.

Children may need extra support during:

• Family separation or conflict
• Changes at home or school
• Bereavement or loss
• Bullying
• Safeguarding concerns
• Domestic abuse within the home
• Financial hardship or housing instability
• Mental health struggles
• Social isolation
• Online pressures or social media issues

Children often cope better when they feel emotionally safe, listened to, reassured, and supported by trusted adults.

Signs a Child or Young Person May Be Struggling

Children can show emotional distress in different ways. Some signs may include:

• Anxiety or excessive worry
• Low mood or sadness
• Anger or emotional outbursts
• Withdrawal from friends or family
• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes in eating habits
• Loss of confidence
• School difficulties or falling attendance
• Trouble concentrating
• Becoming unusually quiet or isolated
• Behavioural changes
• Fearfulness or clinginess
• Emotional overwhelm

Not every child will show the same signs, and some children may hide how they feel.

Helping Children Feel Safe & Supported

Children benefit from:

• Stable routines
• Emotional reassurance
• Calm communication
• Feeling listened to
• Predictable environments
• Positive encouragement
• Healthy boundaries
• Safe relationships
• Time with trusted adults
• Opportunities to express emotions safely

Simple actions can make a significant difference to a child’s emotional wellbeing.

Supporting Children Through Difficult Times

During stressful periods, adults can help children by:

• Listening without judgement
• Reassuring children they are loved
• Keeping routines consistent
• Explaining changes in age-appropriate ways
• Avoiding exposing children to adult conflict
• Encouraging open communication
• Supporting school attendance and friendships
• Spending quality time together
• Seeking support early where needed

Children should never feel responsible for adult problems or conflict.

Family Separation & Emotional Wellbeing

Separation can sometimes feel confusing or upsetting for children, especially if there is ongoing conflict, instability, or uncertainty around them.

Children often cope better when adults:

• Communicate respectfully
• Reduce conflict around children
• Avoid asking children to take sides
• Support safe relationships with both parents where appropriate
• Keep routines and boundaries stable
• Focus on the child’s emotional wellbeing first

Children need protection from conflict — not involvement in it.

Bullying & Online Safety

Bullying can affect emotional wellbeing, confidence, school attendance, and mental health.

Bullying may happen:

• At school
• Online or through social media
• In friendship groups
• Through messages or gaming platforms

Children should feel able to speak to trusted adults if they feel unsafe, bullied, pressured, or threatened.

Parents and carers can help by:

• Encouraging open conversations
• Monitoring online safety appropriately
• Taking bullying concerns seriously
• Reporting harmful behaviour where needed
• Supporting confidence and emotional reassurance

Mental Health & Young People

Children and young people can also experience:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Panic
• Emotional overwhelm
• Stress
• Low confidence
• Isolation
• Self-esteem difficulties

Seeking emotional wellbeing or mental health support early can help children feel supported before difficulties become more serious.

Support should always be approached with care, patience, understanding, and without judgement.

Healthy Boundaries & Discipline

Children benefit from:

• Clear expectations
• Consistent boundaries
• Fair consequences
• Calm explanations
• Positive reinforcement

Fear, humiliation, intimidation, or emotional harm can negatively affect emotional wellbeing and development.

Healthy discipline should focus on guidance, emotional safety, and helping children learn.

Safeguarding & Child Protection

Every child has the right to:

• Be safe
• Feel protected
• Be free from abuse or neglect
• Feel secure at home, school, and online
• Be listened to when worried or frightened

Safeguarding concerns should always be taken seriously.

If a child may be at immediate risk of harm:

Call 999 immediately.

Children should never be left in unsafe, abusive, or harmful situations.

Helping Young People Build Confidence & Resilience

Children and young people often benefit from:

• Encouragement
• Praise for effort
• Safe friendships
• Opportunities to learn new skills
• Physical activity
• Healthy routines
• Emotional support
• Positive role models
• Feeling included and valued

Confidence and resilience develop over time through safe, stable, and supportive relationships.

Support Services for Children & Young People

Child & Young Person Support

• Childline
• NSPCC
• YoungMinds
• Place2Be
• The Mix

Parenting & Family Support

• Family Lives
• Relate UK
• NSPCC Parenting Support

Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing

• NHS Mental Health Services
• Mind UK
• YoungMinds

Crisis Support

If a child or young person is in immediate danger:

Call 999 immediately.

If a child is struggling emotionally and needs support:

• Speak to a GP
• Contact school safeguarding or wellbeing staff
• Contact Childline
• Seek mental health or counselling support early

Children and young people should always know:

It is okay to ask for help.

Our Message

Every child deserves safety, stability, emotional support, and the opportunity to grow in healthy and supportive environments.

Children remember how safe, supported, listened to, and valued they felt during difficult times.

Adults may not always have every answer, but calm support, reassurance, understanding, and early help can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.

Children matter.
Their wellbeing matters.
Their future matters.

What To Do During an Emotional or Mental Health Crisis

A Simple Grounding & Safety Guide

When stress, panic, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or crisis feelings become intense, it can feel difficult to think clearly. During these moments, slowing things down and focusing on simple steps can help calm the body and mind.

You do not need to solve everything immediately. Focus first on safety, breathing, and getting through the next few moments.

Step 1 — Pause & Breathe Slowly

Try slowing your breathing down gently.

Simple Breathing Technique

Breathe in slowly:

1… 2…

Breathe out slowly:

1… 2…

Repeat slowly several times.

Do not rush.

Focus only on your breathing for the moment.

Slow breathing can help reduce panic, stress, racing thoughts, and physical tension.

Step 2 — Ground Yourself

Look around and focus on your surroundings.

Try naming:

• 5 things you can see
• 4 things you can touch
• 3 things you can hear
• 2 things you can smell
• 1 thing you can focus on

This can help bring your mind back to the present moment.

Step 3 — Move to a Safe & Calm Space

If possible:

• Sit somewhere quiet
• Step outside for fresh air
• Move away from arguments or stressful situations
• Lower noise and distractions
• Drink some water

You do not have to deal with everything at once.

Step 4 — Contact Someone You Trust

You do not need to struggle alone.

Consider contacting:

• A trusted family member
• A friend
• Your GP
• A support worker
• A mental health support line

Simply telling someone:

“I’m struggling right now”
can be an important first step.

Step 5 — Avoid Making Major Decisions in Crisis

During periods of extreme stress or emotional overwhelm:

• avoid impulsive decisions
• avoid aggressive conflict
• avoid harmful coping behaviours
• avoid isolating yourself completely

Focus first on calming, safety, and support.

Step 6 — Reach Out for Professional Support

If things continue to feel overwhelming, seek support early.

Support Services

• NHS 111
• Samaritans
• Mind UK
• GP services
• Local mental health teams

If you or someone else is in immediate danger:

Call 999 immediately.

Important Reminder

Strong emotions can pass, even when they feel overwhelming in the moment.

Stress, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, financial pressure, family conflict, isolation, or emotional exhaustion can affect anyone.

Taking one small step at a time matters.

Breath by breath.
Moment by moment.
Support is available.