This is a list of useful help and support contacts. Please click on a category below to see more information. If you would like to add a support group for babies, children or parents of children up to teenage years, please email [email protected]

Adoption and Fostering
Anti-Bullying
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Bereaved parents and family members
Children’s crisis contacts
Communication
Community policing, crime prevention
Counselling and support
Domestic abuse, support and advice
Drugs and alcohol support and advice
Eating Disorders
First Aid for Babies and Children
Health and Mental health
Internet safety
One parent families
Parents information and support
Young people’s support and advice

Adoption and Fostering

After Adoption

Phone: 0800 0 568 578
Helpline for adoptees and for their birth parents, siblings and friends
Website: www.afteradoption.org.uk

BirthTies

Phone: 0800 840 2020
Helpline for birth parents whose child is at risk of being adopted or has been lost to adoption
Website: www.afteradoption.org.uk

Eric

Phone:0845 370 8008
ERIC is the UK’s only childhood continence charity. We work to improve the quality of life of children, young people and their families in the UK who suffer from the consequences of childhood continence and to assist them to manage or overcome these problems.
Website: www.eric.org.uk

Natural Parents Network

Phone: 0845 4565031
Support to people who have lost children to adoption
Website: www.n-p-n.co.uk

Parents And Children Together – PACT

Phone: 0300 456 4800
PACT helps hundreds of families every year through outstanding adoption and fostering services
Website: www.pactcharity.org

TALKadoption

Phone: 0808 808 1234
The only helpline of its kind dedicated to those aged under 25 who want to talk about adoption
Website: www.afteradoption.org.uk

Anti-Bullying

Antibullying Alliance

An alliance of over 60 organisations, A safe life. A happy environment. Where our children and young people can grow, learn and play. That’s what we seek. That’s why we’re here.

Website: www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Kidscape

Phone: 08451 205 204
Parents’ Anti-Bullying Helpline. Kidscape is committed to keeping children safe from abuse. Kidscape is the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. Monday – Thursday: 10am to 4pm
Website: www.kidscape.org.uk

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Child Autism UK

We provide services to enable children to overcome difficulties with communication, learning and life skills and give families the techniques and strategies to cope with autism.
Website: www.childautism.org.uk/

National Autism Center (USA)

Our resources includes useful, up-to-date information and free materials for anyone interested in learning more about autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Website: www.nationalautismcenter.org/resources/

NAS (National Autism Society)

Parent to Parent, confidential phone support: 0800 9520520
For people with autism (including Asperger syndrome) and families. Providing information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism.
Website: www.autism.org.uk

Sesame Street and Autism (USA)

Resources for parents developed with input from parents, people who serve the autism community, and people with autism.
Website: autism.sesamestreet.org/

BRAAIN (Be Ready ADHD Autism Information Network)

ADHD, Autism (& SEN) Information Network for Families, Carers & Professionals

Website: www.braain.co.uk

Bereaved Parents and Family Members

Child Death Helpline

Phone: 0800 282 986
For anyone affected by the death of a child of any age, from prebirth to adult, under any circumstances, however recently or long ago
Website: www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk

Cruse Bereavement Care

Phone: 0844 477 9400
Cruse Bereavement Care promotes the well-being of bereaved people and enables anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss.
Website: www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk

Hope Again

Phone: 0808 808 1677
Hope Again is Cruse Bereavement Care’s website for young people.  Cruse is a national charity that provides support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone close to them dies.
Website: hopeagain.org.uk

Winston’s Wish

Phone: 08452 030405
Helps children rebuild their lives after the death of a parent or sibling, enabling them to face the future with confidence and hope
Website: www.winstonswish.org.uk

Children’s Crisis Contacts

Action for Children

Phone: 0300 123 2112
Helping the most vulnerable and neglected children and young people in the UK
Website: www.actionforchildren.org.uk

ChildLine

Phone: 0800 1111
A counselling service for children and young people (adults should contact the NSPCC). You can call ChildLine at any time to speak to a counsellor. Calls are free and confidential.
Website: www.childline.org.uk

NSPCC

Phone: 0808 800 5000
The Helpline is a service for anyone concerned about the safety or welfare of a child. You can contact the helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone, email or online
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Runaway Helpline

Phone: 0808 800 7070
Helping you if you have, or are thinking of, running away from home
Website: www.missingpeople.org.uk/missing-people/young-people

The Line

Phone: 0800 88 44 44
Helping you cope with living away from home, whether you are on your own, in care, in hospital or at boarding school
Website: www.childline.org.uk

Communication

Help With Talking

The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) provides information and a contact point for members of the public searching for a private Speech and Language Therapist. For its members, ASLTIP provides support and information on working as independent Speech and Language Therapists within the United Kingdom.
Website: www.helpwithtalking.com

I CAN

We are the children’s communication charity. Our vision is a world where all children and young people who struggle to communicate receive the help they need so that they can have a happy childhood, make progress at school and thrive as adultsPhone: 0845 225 4071

Website: www.ican.org.uk

RALLI

Talking Point

Communication is a vital skill that all children need to learn. Without it they will not reach their full potential. Here at Talking Point we give parents and carers the information they need to help their children develop these skills
Website: www.talkingpoint.org.uk

Community Policing, Crime Prevention

Crimestoppers

Phone: 0800 555 111
Crimestoppers is an independent charity helping to find criminals and help solve crimes. They are independent of the police and the government. You can call 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Website: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Forced Marriage Unit Information Line

Phone: 0207 008 0151
Helpline for those who are worried they might be forced into marriage or are worried about a friend or relative
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

Victim Support

Phone: 0845 30 30 900
Free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected
Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk

Counselling and Support

Connexions Direct

Phone: 0800 100 900
Connexions Advisers are there to offer careers information, advice and support to 13-19 year olds between 8am and 10pm seven days a week.
Website: www2.cxdirect.com

Counselling Directory

The purpose of the site is ultimately to provide the UK with a huge counselling support network, enabling those in distress to find a counsellor close to them and appropriate for their needs. This is a free, confidential service that will hopefully encourage those in distress to seek help
Website: www.counselling-directory.org.uk

Get Connected

Phone: 0808 808 4994
The help resource for under 25s. Get Connected are here to help you, whatever the problem.
Website: www.getconnected.org.uk

Relate

Phone: 0300 100 1234
Relationship support and counselling for individuals, couples and families
Website: www.relate.org.uk

Samaritans

Phone: Helpline: 08457 90 90 90
24hr service offering emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair
Website: www.samaritans.org

Sesame Street in Communities

Helping children cope with  Traumatic Experiences

Domestic Abuse, Support and Advice

National Association of People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)

Phone: 0800 085 3330
Providing support and information for people abused in childhood. If you were abused as a child
and are looking for support visit our website.
Website: www.napac.org.uk

Men’s Advice Line

Phone: 0808 801 0327
A confidential helpline for all men experiencing domestic violence by a current or ex-partner
Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk

Women’s Aid

Phone: 0808 2000 247
Free phone 24 hr National Domestic Violence Helpline run in partnership between Women’s Aid & Refuge. Working to end domestic violence against women and children
Website: www.womensaid.org.uk

Drugs and Alcohol Support and Advice

Al-Anon Family Groups

Phone: 020 7403 0888
Provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking. They believe alcoholism affects the whole family, not just the drinker
Website: www.al-anonuk.org.uk

Frank

Phone: 0800 77 66 00
Straight up, unbiased information about drugs. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, FRANK is around to give you FREE and confidential info on drugs.
Website: www.talktofrank.com

Eating Disorders

RehabRecovery

Phone: 0800 088 66 86
Rehab Recovery is a free helpline for people suffering from a wide range of eating disorders.
Website: www.rehab-recovery.co.uk/addiction/eating-disorders.html

First Aid for Babies and Children

British Red Cross

Skills to help keep babies and children safe
Website: British Red Cross

Health and Mental Health

Beat Youthline

Phone: 0845 634 1414
Beat is a national charity providing information, help and support for people affected by eating disorders and, in particular, anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
Website: www.b-eat.co.uk

Brook

Phone: 0808 802 1234
Brook provides free and confidential sexual health advice and services for young people under 25
Website: www.brook.org.uk

SANEline

Phone: 0845 767 8000
Support for anyone affected by mental health problems
Website: www.sane.org.uk

Young Epilepsy

Helpline: 01342 831342
Better futures for young lives with epilepsy. Our confidential helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm
Website: www.youngepilepsy.org.uk

Young Minds Parents’ Helpline

Phone: 0808 802 5544
For anyone worried about the emotional problems or behaviour of a child. Opening hours are 9.30am-4pm Monday to Friday. Calls from landlines and mobiles are free
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk

Internet Safety

Protecting Children’s Privacy Online

How to keep kids safe on YouTube Click here to read

A guide for parents, carers and educators Click here to read

A comprehensive guide to internet safety for non-techy parents and carers Click here to read

CEOP

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, advice for everyone
Website: www.ceop.gov.uk

Childnet International

Making the internet safer a non-profit organisation working with others to “help make the Internet a great and safe place for children”
Website: http://www.childnet.com/young-people/secondary

Kid Smart

A practical internet safety programme website for schools, young people, parents, and agencies, produced by the children’s internet charity Childnet International.
Website: www.kidsmart.org.uk

One Parent Families

Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline

Phone: 0808 802 0925
The Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm, apart from Wednesday when they stay open until 8pm.
Website: www.gingerbread.org.uk

National Association of Child Contact Centres

Phone: 0845 4500 280
When parents are no longer able to communicate, child contact centres provide a neutral place for children to meet the mother or father who no longer lives at home with them. National Helpline Monday to Friday 9 – 1pm.
Website: www.naccc.org.uk

One Space

One Space is a community for single parents with support from experienced parenting facilitators bringing together essential information, interactive learning & friendly forums for peer support. It is a lifeline to many who are parenting alone. One Space aims to be the first port of call for single parents online – providing professional 1-2-1 advice from a team of experts in areas such as family law; benefits; CSA; money and debt; relationships and separation etc.
Website: www.onespace.org.uk

Parents Information and Support

Barnardo’s

Phone: Head Office (this is not a helpline) 0208 550 8822
Provides services for children by working directly with families in hundreds of local projects
Website: www.barnardos.org.uk

Count the Kicks

Count the Kicks is a UK registered charity that aims to empower mums to be with knowledge and confidence throughout their pregnancy. A baby’s movement indicate its wellbeing and by understanding their baby, mums can be empowered to trust their instincts and ensure the healthy delivery of their baby.

Website: www.countthekicks.org.uk

Hypnotherapy Directory

The Hypnotherapy Directory lists hypnotherapists who are registered with a recognised professional body or those who have sent us copies of their qualifications and insurance cover. The site allows you to search for hypnotherapists of offer childbirth support.
Website: www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk

Life Coach Directory

The Life Coach Directory provides information about life coaches in your area. Many provide advice on parenting issues

Website: www.lifecoach-directory.org.uk/articles/parent-coaching.html

NCT (The National Childbirth Trust)

Phone: 0300 330 0770
The NCT supports people through the incredible life changing experience of pregnancy, birth
Website: www.nct.org.uk

Parentline Plus

Phone: 0808 800 2222
Parentline Plus is a national charity that works for, and with, parents. For help and advice call us any time
Website: www.parentlineplus.org.uk

TAMBA twinline

Phone: 0800 138 0509 (freephone)
Twinline is a national, confidential, listening and emotional support service for all parents of twins, triplets and more, and the professionals involved in their care
Website: www.tamba.org.uk/support/twinline

Young People’s Support and Advice

Connexions Direct

Phone: 0800 100 900
Connexions Advisers are there to offer careers information, advice and support to 13-19 year olds between 8am and 10pm seven days a week.
Website: www2.cxdirect.com

National Youth Advocacy Service

Phone: 0800 61 61 01
Advice and information, including free legal advice, for any age up to 25
Website: www.nyas.net

RIB

The Student’s Guide to Finding Accommodation

Website: the-students-guide-to-finding-accommodation

Voice

Phone: 0808 800 5792
Working with young people to speak up for them and support them in getting improvements in their lives
Website: www.voiceyp.org