THE NSPCC service in Warrington has been adapted to ensure to help keep vulnerable children and young people safe online during lockdown.

The charity’s InCtrl service helps safeguard children in their digital worlds, and with young people spending more time online while staying at home during the pandemic, that service is needed more than ever.

Launched from the Great Sankey centre earlier this year after being introduced by the NSPCC in 2019, InCtrl was planned to be delivered to pupils in small groups in schools by staff from the NSPCC centre, but will now be offered virtually to children and their carers on a one-to-one basis, offering them support tailored to their individual needs – an example of how the charity is still here for children.

InCtrl gives a safe space to children, young people and their parents or carers to help raise their awareness of offline and online risks whilst helping to build their resilience and emotional wellbeing.

Helen Lewandowska, service manager at NSPCC Warrington, said: “InCtrl helps young children understand how social media can be used in a safe way, how to build healthy friendships online while keeping safe, and how to speak up about anything they encounter online that worries them.

“While we would ordinarily run InCtrl to groups within schools, the pandemic has meant we’ve had to rethink how we offer this service. It’s important that we’re still able to protect children and young people in this way even when we can’t visit them in person.”

The programme also offers support for parents, using resources including NSPCC and O2 booklets on keeping safe online.

The original programme is an eight-week group work intervention, but has been adapted to respond to the unprecedented circumstances of Covid-19 and is now delivered on a one-to-one basis over a shorter timescale.

Staff at the centre have already taken referrals and enquiries about the service, and urged any parents of nine to 13-year-olds with concerns posed to their children online to get in touch.

Helen said: “We had intended to run in schools and had bookings until January, but due to Covid-19 we have had to re-think how best to make it work. We will be delivering virtual one-to-one with children or very small groups of three or four where we can social distance.

“However we deliver the service, it’s essential we build confidence in young people to speak up if they experience something that concerns them online.

"Whether they’re being asked to do something inappropriate or find some upsetting content, situations can quickly spiral out of their control, so we work with them to enable them to develop skills and help protect them from grooming and exploitation.”

The charity has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to raise crucial funds to support children, young people and their families across the UK during this challenging time.

Free advice on apps can also be accessed on the NSPCC and www.net-aware.org.uk and for more information about InCtrl in Warrington call 873000.