Information for Professionals
Spectra CIC have been commissioned to delver sexual health services to young people via an outreach, prevention, and engagement programme.
Our work includes targeted 1:1 support, as well as groupwork sessions; supporting schools and education settings in providing compulsory Relationships & Sex Education.
South West London Services
We provide services promoting sexual well-being to young people (13-25 years) who live, work, study, or socialise in Wandsworth, Richmond, Merton and Kingston.
Support for Young People - 1:1 support
Young people can refer themselves to the service, or can be referred by a supportive adult. In all cases young people need to consent to the referral and need to agree to engage with the service.
StudentSpectra work within Fraser Guidelines, so we do not require parental consent to work with young people 13+ who are Gillick Competent. We do however need all young people to provide details of an emergency contact with who any safeguarding concerns can be shared.
If you know of a young person who would benefit from our services, please support them to complete the referral form; ensuring they consent to their information being shared, and return it to YPServices@spectra-london.org.uk
A worker will then get in touch to organise an assessment.
If you are only interested with our counselling services, you can register here directly.
Fraser Guidelines
Young people under the age of 16 can be provided with advice and treatment in relation to contraceptive and/or sexual health, without the need for parental consent, provided they meet the following criteria:
Young person will understand the advice given
Young person cannot be persuaded to inform their parents, or be persuaded to allow staff to inform their parents on their behalf
Young person is very likely to continue to engage in sexual activity, with or without contraceptive treatment
Young person’s physical or mental health (or both) is likely to suffer if they do not receive contraceptive advice and/or treatment
It is in the young person’s best interests for them to be given contraceptive advice and/or treatment, without parental consent
Support for Young People - Groupwork
StudentSpectra can offer targeted groupwork on either a one-off basis, or as a series of sessions.
Topics covered include: healthy relationships; consent; pornography; and contraception, and are tailored to the needs of the audience.
We are also available to support education provisions in delivering Relationships & Sex Education sessions as part of the new guidance around compulsory RSE provision.
If you are interested in accessing our groupwork support, please complete the groupwork request form and a worker will be in touch to organise session delivery.
Professionals Training
StudentSpectra also offer training to professionals working with young people.
Topics covered include: inclusivity; talking to young people about sexual health; and pornography, and is tailored is the needs of the audience.
We are also available to support education provisions in preparing for the delivery of compulsory Relationships & Sex Education from September 2020.
If you are interested in accessing our professionals training courses please complete the training request form and a worker will be in touch to organise session delivery
Pan London LGBTQ+ Support
StudentSpectra are funded by Children In Need to provide free support to all young people living in London, who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or are questioning their gender or sexuality.
Counselling
This service is for young people aged between 13 and 18 who find it difficult to access counselling from non-LGBTQ+ agencies. Counselling can offer support in a range of areas including: sexual and gender identity; confidence and self-esteem; relationships (family, peer, or sexual); and transitioning. It is a voluntary service and sessions are tailored to the needs and goals of the young person.
Counselling falls under the umbrella term "talking therapies" and allows young people to discuss problems and difficult feelings in a safe, confidential, and non-stigmatising space.
The dialogue between young person and counsellor can be verbal as well as explored through creative media for example: drama therapy, poetry, or art making. Creativity can be helpful in accessing parts of ourselves for which we may struggle to find spoken words, and can offer ways to take a step back from the problem and reflect on it from a different angle.
Counselling sessions are held at Hackney Pirates (Hackney) or Wednesday afternoons, and at Vestry Hall (Merton) on Thursday afternoons. There are no location restrictions, but young people would need to be able to travel to these venues to access face-to-face support.
For more information, please read our Uni-T information sheet.
If you know of a young person who would benefit from counselling please support them to complete the referral form; ensuring they consent to their information being shared, and return it to Uni-T@spectra-london.org.uk
A worker will then get in touch to organise an assessment.
Youth Group
Our LGBTQ+ youth group is now running online.
The group is for 13-18 year olds who identify as LGBTQ+ and want a space to socialise with other LGBTQ+ peers, and to find support with their mental health, identity, and personal development.
Sessions are twice weekly:
Mondays 7-8pm Chat and Chill sessions
These sessions are a space for young people to talk about anything that is on their mind, and spend time talking with peers.
Fridays 5-6pm Activity sessions
These sessions are more structured; covering specific themes to help members with their self-development. Sessions have an overriding focus on emotional wellbeing, relationships, and queer identity.
At each sessions members of StudentSpectra staff will facilitate discussion, and will be on hand to provide support and signposting to members.
If you know of a young person who would benefit from becoming a youth group member please support them to complete the New Members Form; ensuring they consent to their information being shared, and a worker will be in touch.
For any queries about the youth group please contact Uni-T@spectra-london.org.uk