You are guaranteed a friendly reaction. We know it's not easy to get in touch so we bear that in mind when we talk to you.
We know that getting help can be hard to do, and a lot of people are in two minds about it. You won't be forced into anything you don't want to do, and you can go back on any decisions you make with us, just let us know.
If you e-mail us ...
Please leave your contact details and tell us when it's best to get in touch; we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
If you pick up the phone ...
You will either speak to a worker, or get an answerphone message
Because we work hard all over the boroughs we can't promise to pick up the phone every time you call, so you may have to leave a message. Let us know your contact details and when it's good for us to call you back. We'll do this as soon as possible.
If you speak directly to a worker they will try to find out why you've called, and work out whether it would be useful for you to see someone face-to-face.
It may be that your question or worry can be sorted out over the phone with a piece of information or advice. Or it may be that you need something more, in which case we'd try to arrange a meeting with you.
When you meet us ...
It'll be somewhere you feel ok. This could be at school or college, at your home or youth club, or in a public place like a cafe.
Before anything can happen your worker needs you to know what they do and do not do, for example, they'll tell you how they deal with your personal information (see who else will know) and ask for your permission to work with them.
Your worker will listen carefully to you and ask you some questions to find out if you need:
- information about drink or drugs;
- advice about how to manage your drinking or drug use;
- help to control or stop your drinking or drug taking; or
- help becasue your parents have problems with drink or drugs
If you do have a problem, or your parent does, your worker will need to ask some more detailed questions to see whether you need help such as counselling, detox or rehab.
After assessment ...
Your worker will arrange for you to get the information, advice or help that you need, and support you to make good use of it.