By Safeguarding Team on 21 Oct 2021
SAFEGUARDING CONFERENCE 2022 - KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Krystyna Hebb
Biography:
Krystyna Hebb (she/her) has worked in the charity sector for over 30 years, taking up her role at Mermaids in September 2016 after recognising the prejudicial treatment and intolerance that gender diverse children, young people and their families were facing.
As Helpline Service Manager, she oversees the day-to-day running of the helpline as well as online groups and has been instrumental in the growth of this area of the charity's work. As well as managing the helpline, Krystyna is Mermaids' designated safeguarding lead, demonstrating an in-depth understanding of how to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults who reach out to the charity for support on a daily basis.
Mermaids
Mermaids was set up by a group of parents in 1995 who came together to share experiences and look for ways to keep their children safe and happy. In 26 years, the charity has gone from the kitchen table to one of the UK's leading LGBTQ+ charities, empowering thousands of people every year with our secure online forums, local community groups and helpline service, web resources, events, residential weekends and more.
Mermaids supports transgender, non-binary and gender diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care, including teachers, GPs and social workers.
We work to:
- Reduce isolation for transgender, non-binary and gender diverse children, young people and their families
- Provide families and young people with the tools they need to negotiate education and health services
- Help young people to cope better with mental and emotional distress, and equip their parents with what they need to offer individual support
- Improve awareness, understanding and practices of teachers, GPs, CAMHS, Social Services and other professionals
This presentation will:
- Give you a clearer understanding of the charity's work and how we can give educational establishments the tools they need to support transgender, non-binary and gender diverse children and young people
- Give an insight into the day-to-day lives of transgender, non-binary and gender diverse children and young people and the impact of mental and emotional distress
- Look at safeguarding transgender, non-binary and gender diverse young people – is being gender diverse or non-binary a safeguarding issue?