Useful Links

There are lots of useful organisations and groups who can help families and parents with advice and information. Many are listed on our searchable database but some of the most useful are listed here:

National Childbirth Trust - childbirth and parenting charity offering ante-natal classes, breastfeeding support and general friendship to expectant and new mums and their families.

http://www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com 

Gingerbread -  the lone parent family organisation run by lone parents parents

http://www.gingerbread.org.uk

Families Need Fathers - charity dedicated to keeping dads in touch with their children after divorce or separation

http://www.fnf.org.uk

http://www.spig.clara.net 

Action for Prisoners' Families  - is a federation of services offering support for the families of prisoners. They have a helpline (0808 8082003).

http://www.prisonersfamilies.org.uk

BBC webpages - lots of information for parents and families with links to useful sites

http://www.bbc.co.uk/parenting

Babycentre - a site with information about pregnancy and babies and toddlers

http://www.babycentre.co.uk

Parent Support Link - a voluntary organisation offering confidential advice and support to parents and families of drug users. their helpline is open 24 hours a day: 023 8039 9764

http://www.parentsupportlink.org.uk

Internet safety - an international site giving advice on safe use of the internet for parents

http://www.besafeonline.org

Face2Face Network -  a project supported by SCOPE, advising and supporting parents whose children have been diagnosed with a disability

http://www.face2facenetwork.org.uk 

NSPCC - the national charity concerned with child protection and welfare, has lots of useful information about safety of children at home alone or outside

http://www.nspcc.org.uk

Parentline Plus - a registered charity offering support to anyone parenting a child.  They provide useful publications, and their helpline number is 0808 800 2222.

http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk

PIPPIN - (Parents in Partnership - Infant Network) - is a national charity whose aim is to maintain and improve the emotional health of families during the birth of a new baby.

http://www.pippin.org.uk

Refuge - the charity for women experiencing domestic violence. As well as a series of safe houses the charity runs a 24 hour helpline: 0808 2000 247.

http://www.refuge.org.uk

National Parenting and Family Institute - has a website for parents

http://www.e-parents.org

Mind - the National Association for Mental Health, offers information and support to families of all ages with mental health-related problems

http://www.mind.org.uk

Sure Start - is the government programme aiming to provide the best start in life to young children, by bringing together health, childcare, early education and parental support

http://www.surestart.gov.uk

Bullying - several charities offer advice and support to children who are being bullied and their families. The NSPCC (see above), Childline (helpline number 0800 1111) and Bullying Online.

http://www.bullying.co.uk

http://www.childline.org.uk 

Young Minds - is the national charity committed to improving the mental health of children and young people

http://www.youngminds.org.uk

Child Support Agency - is part of the Department for Work and Pensions, and is responsible for assessing, collecting and paying child support maintenance, and ensuring parents meet their financial obligations to their children.

http://www.csa.gov.uk

Cry-sis - offers support for families with excessively crying, sleepless and demanding babies. their helpline number is 08451 228 669.

http://www.cry-sis.org.uk

Children's Legal Centre - is a unique charity concerned with the law and policy affecting children and young people. They offer advice on the law affecting a variety of areas (e.g. child employment), and have a Education Law helpline: 0845 456 6811.

http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com

Kidscape - this is concerned with the prevention of bullying and child abuse

http://www.kidscape.org.uk

Council for Disabled Children - part of the National Children's Bureau, is a forum for the discussion of policy and practice relating to children with disabilities

http://www.ncb.org.uk/cdc 

No Limits offers information, advice drop-in and counselling services for young people. 

www.nolimits-southampton.org.uk