A free service for 5-25 year olds
Whatever clouds your sky, however complex it feels, we’re here to guide you through. No diagnosis needed, If you feel lost in the system, we’re here to catch you and make sure you get the support you need, nothing to pay.
At YCT, there’s always a way forward, and we’ll find it together.
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Personalised and flexible
Therapy should fit you, not the other way around. We have a pool of more than 40 compassionate and qualified professionals offering a wide range of therapies, and we’ll find the perfect fit for you — including art and play therapy as well as talking therapies.
Your journey is your own, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Safe hands
The safety and wellbeing of every child, young person and family who uses our services is at the heart of everything we do. Our charity operates within a clear and robust safeguarding strategy that ensures all children, young people and vulnerable adults are protected from harm and supported in a safe, respectful and therapeutic environment. Our therapists are fully qualified professionals, and we’re proud members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) which means we follow strict quality and ethical guidelines. Through safe recruitment processes, enhanced DBS checks, ongoing safeguarding training, clear reporting pathways, strong clinical supervision and strategic leadership we create a protective framework where children and families can engage with our services with confidence, knowing they are in safe hands.
Safeguarding Commitment Statement
We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults with care and support needs who access our services. Our organisation’s Safeguarding Children and Adults Policy sets out clearly our responsibilities, expectations and procedures to prevent harm, identify when abuse or neglect may be occurring, and respond appropriately.
We implement this commitment by operating within a rigorous multi-agency framework consistent with local best practice in Essex. For children and young people this means we work in accordance with the SET (Southend, Essex & Thurrock) / ESCB Child Protection Procedures — the recognised local protocol for how agencies in Essex should co-operate, share information and act at the earliest opportunity to support children and families.
For adults at risk, we follow the ESAB multi-agency Safeguarding Adults policies and procedures — ensuring that anyone with care and support needs is able to live safely, free from abuse or neglect, and that their voice is central to all safeguarding decisions.
In practical terms we will:
maintain open channels for reporting any safeguarding concern and ensure all staff, volunteers and partners know how to act.
ensure suitably trained and competent staff and volunteers operate safe recruitment and induction processes, aligned with local safeguarding expectations.
cooperate fully with local authority children’s services, adult social care, the police and health partners when safeguarding concerns arise.
regularly review our safeguarding arrangements, monitor compliance and update our practice in line with national and local developments, including the ESCB and ESAB guidance.
place the individual at the centre of our safeguarding approach — working to ensure their wishes, feelings and outcomes are respected and protected.
We believe safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Through this combined framework — our internal policy plus adherence to local multi-agency procedures in Essex — we strive to provide safe, respectful and effective care for all those we support.
A range of creative therapies
Sometimes feelings are hard to put into words. Our art and play therapies give children different ways to express themselves.
Play therapy
Art therapy
Talking therapies
We can’t promise quick fixes – these things take time, and that’s okay. What we can promise is this: we will be right here with you, a calm, steady presence, offering expert support and guidance as you take steps forward.
We care for the people who care
We’re here for the helpers too. As a teacher, coach or carer you’re often the first to spot when a student is struggling. We offer safeguarding support, clinical supervision for teachers, crisis support and bereavement groups, to help you support the young people in your care better.
Stories of change
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
YCT is fully committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of our work and to eliminating unlawful discrimination in line with our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and the Equality Act 2010.
We strive to create an organisation that truly reflects the diverse communities we serve, where every child, young person, family and member of staff feels respected, valued and empowered to be themselves. We are dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive environment free from bullying, harassment, victimisation and discrimination, where fairness, dignity and compassion underpin everything we do.
Our work is rooted in respect for all identities and lived experiences, including race, culture, gender, sexuality, disability and neurodiversity. We recognise that every young person’s story is unique, and we aim to deliver support that honours their background, celebrates their strengths and actively removes barriers to accessing support.
Through ongoing reflection, monitoring and staff training, we continually seek to improve how equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in our daily practice. By listening carefully, learning openly and advocating for equity, we are committed to building a welcoming community where every child and family feels seen, supported and able to thrive.