FIRST POSTED ON MARCH 18 2020 AT 14:18
The health and wellbeing of the young people and families we support, and of our staff, is of the utmost importance to us.
Includem is committed to ensuring, as far as possible, that we continue to deliver support to young people, families and our colleagues, and keep working positively throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Continuing to provide this support, where possible and safe, is our first priority.
Given the current situation, we are taking a number of reasonable and responsible steps to protect our colleagues and the young people we engage with.
We are putting in place steps to support our young people over the coming weeks because we know that this can be a potentially overwhelming, isolating and anxious time.
As a precautionary measure and to ensure the safety of young people we are, where possible, modifying the way we engage with them, their families and communities. This means a reduction in our face-to-face contact where appropriate and exploring telephone, online and other innovative approaches.
Where possible, we are moving to a home-based working model for all our staff, as advised by Government. As always, if young people, families or professionals need to speak to us they can do through our 24/7 Helpline.
Finally, we want to reassure young people, families, partners and funders that we are tackling these challenges and putting in place measures, in line with Government advice, to ensure we continue to operate in the safest and most appropriate way. We will continue to address new and developing challenges as they arise.
We very much appreciate your understanding at this unique time.
If you are a young person or family member of a young person working with includem, you can call our 24/7 Helpline whenever you need to.
For those in Glasgow, Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire, South Lanarkshire or surrounding areas, call 0808 800 0408.
Those in Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Fife, Falkirk, Dundee, Aberdeen or surrounding areas should call 0808 800 0409.
