Faces in Focus Counselling, information, advice & guidance for young people aged in South London.

About us  We empower young people aged years old so you can exercise your individuality, make informed choices and decisions in your life, reach your full potential and become active citizens.  We do this by providing free, confidential and independent information, advice, guidance, advocacy and counselling through one to one support and when necessary group work. We offer Information about staying in education, or accessing training and employment, improving your health and wellbeing, preventing homelessness and reducing crime.

IAG information, advice & guidance  Information, advice, and guidance for year olds including those with complex needs relating to:  homelessness,  financial insecurity, welfare benefits  being not in education, training or employment,  insecure immigration status,

Counselling  A supportive, non-judgemental 1-1 relationship with a professional.  An opportunity to talk and be listened to, understand more about what is bothering you and to think through situations and options to help deal with the problem.  Led by what you want and need.  Confidential.  Free.

Issues counselling can help with  Feelings such as stress, sadness, anger or anxiety  Behaviour such as eating disorders or self harm  Experiences such as abuse, being a carer, family conflict, being a victim of crime, domestic violence (or witnessing DV)  Life changes  Sexuality  Witnessing and/or experiencing gender based violence,  Being on the periphery of or involved in gangs.  You may have a friend or family member who you know would benefit from having counselling because of some of the issues listed here.

Counselling is NOT:  About being judged  About being told what to do  Getting help with practical support eg. Housing or benefits – our IAG can provide that support  Getting access to a diagnosis or medication – you will need to go to your GP for this.

Referrals by others you can get someone else to refer you to counselling but they must  Engage and involve you in the discussion and the decision to access counselling.  Send us a referral form with your input with as much information as they can.  We will arrange an assessment session and the person who referred you can attend this session with you if you want some support.

Self referral  You can refer yourself and no-one else needs to know that you have asked for counselling.  You can come in for a chat with one of our counsellors to see if counselling is something you would like to try.  You can send us a referral form and we will contact you directly to come in for an assessment appointment.  You can arrange to have your sessions at a time that is convenient to you.

Information-sharing  We will Inform you what counselling is and is not  What your options are  You can talk about whatever you want to talk about  You can ask questions  You can leave the sessions at anytime and you and your counsellor will discuss an ending  We will share safeguarding information and will tell you if we have to do this and why  We will not share any other information about you with outside agencies unless you give us permission to do so  We will ask you to inform us of how the counselling has helped you.

Questions o What kind of problems do people talk about? o How might counselling help me? o How long will it take? o What if I’m not happy with the counsellor or counselling ? o Does it mean I’m ‘mad’ if I have to have counselling? o Where do I need to go? o Can my mum or dad have counselling? o Any other questions?

What’s Next?  Want to find out a bit more about us go to our website o Speak to your teachers or parents about your wish to access counselling and get them to refer you. o Take a leaflet away with you and make contact with us when you feel ready for a chat. o Send us a self referral form and we will do the rest. o Send me an Sharon Kitson – Counselling Manager Faces in focus