Useful links
We have listed the following organisations that we hope will be useful.
Family issues and child contact
Emotional support and counselling
Adult survivors of childhood abuse and male rape
Black Minority Ethnic advice and immigration issues
HOUSING ADVICE
Shelter
National helpline, very useful searchable database of local housing advice agencies, homeless person's units, local authorities by region. Helpline: 0808 800 4444
LEGAL ADVICE
Law Centres Federation
Free legal advice for people on low incomes. Searchable database of local centres.
CLS Direct
Free legal advice over the telephone for people on a low income. Advice about eligibility for legal aid. Searchable database of local solicitors who offer legal aid work.
0845 345 4 345
Resolution
Umbrella organisation for family law solicitors in England and Wales. Useful website. Searchable database of 5000 members.
FAMILY ISSUES AND CHILD CONTACT
CAFCASS
CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service) is a statutory agency looking after the interests of children involved in family proceedings, advising the family courts in England and Wales on what it considers to be in the best interests of individual children.
Parentlineplus
National charity that works for, and with, parents. Advice on all aspects of parenting, including contact following separation/divorce. National Helpline: 0808 800 2222
http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk/
One-Parent Families/Gingerbread
One Parent Families|Gingerbread is the leading national charity working to help the UK's 1.9 million lone parents and their children. Lone Parent Helpline: 0800 018 5026 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Wednesdays 9am to 8pm. Free information for lone parents on issues including: maintenance, tax credits, benefits, work, education, legal rights, childcare and holidays
http://www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk
Divorce aid
Independent group of professionals.
Simple free law advisor online:
http://www.sfla.co.uk/children.htm
Reunite
Provide advice, information and support to parents, family members and guardians who have had a child abducted or who fear child abduction. They also have advice for parents who may have abducted their child as well as advising on international contact issues. Helpline: 0116 2556 23434
Family Rights Group
A charity in England and Wales that advises, advocates and campaigns for families whose children are involved with, or require, social care services. Confidential telephone advice and support. Useful online info on parental responsibility, child protection procedures.
Helpline: 0800 731 1696
http://www.frg.org.uk/index.html
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT/COUNSELLING
MIND
The leading mental health charity in England and Wales
National helpline and network of local branches:
0845 766 0163 Monday-Friday 09:15-17:15
http://www.mind.org.uk Search for local services.
Samaritans
Crisis support for anyone in emotional distress or thinking about suicide. Support by telephone, face-to-face at many branches, e-mail or letter. Tel: 08457 90 90 90
http://www.samaritans.org/ Searchable database of local branches.
BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Umbrella organisation for counsellors/therapists in the UK. Searchable database- find a counsellor by postcode or town/region. Tel: 0870 443 5252
Victim Support
Independent charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime. They provide free and confidential support and information to help you deal with your experience. Network of local branches. Searchable database of services. National helpline: 0845 30 30 900
http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
Counselling directory
http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/ Search for a local counsellor.
Asian Family Counselling Service
Counselling service for individuals, couples and families of Asian communities. West London based. Telephone counselling available. To make an appointment or for further information call 0208 571 3933 or 0208 813 9714.
ADULT SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE OR MALE RAPE
Survivors UK
Information, support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused. National helpline: 0845 122 1201, Mon/Tues/Thurs, 7-10pm.
NAPAC
National Association for People Abused in Childhood. Registered charity, based in the UK, providing support and information for people abused in childhood.
Helpline: 0800 085 3330.
BME ADVICE AGENCIES - Immigration/nationality issues
Immigration Advisory Service (IAS)
The Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) is the UK's largest charity providing representation and advice in immigration and asylum law. These services are free to people who are eligible. Services: online advice, local branches in the UK, as well as Pakistan and Bangladesh - you can find them online - no helpline, they need to see people in person.
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI)
JCWI offers free legal advice on immigration, nationality and asylum matters to immigration law professionals and private individuals. No drop-in service. Clients should ring 020 7251 8706 Tuesday & Thursday 2.00 - 5.00 pm