Useful Information
Introduction | Sessions & Groups | Useful Information | Childcare |
Extra Support | Exclusion
As no-one is ever going to have all the answers, extra information and advice might come in useful. Below are websites of organisations that could offer some help, either with a telephone helpline, an online forum or the latest info, advice and news on parenting.
Family Information Service
The Family Information Service, part of Hertfordshire County Council, can help give you information on:
- Childminders
- Nurseries
- Pre-schools / Playgroups
- Carer and Toddler Groups
- Out of School Clubs
- Holiday Playschemes
- Leisure Services
- Help with childcare costs
Web: www.hertsdirect.org/comdirectory/childservdir/parentcarer/childcare/cis
Tel: 0300 123 4052
Email: fis@hertscc.gov.uk
Parentline Plus
Parentline Plus is the biggest independent provider of parenting support in the country. We understand family life can be challenging and difficult: our strength is offering parent-to-parent support to work through problems and find practical solutions. We are here for all parents, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, via our free, confidential Parentline, website and email support service.
Web: www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Tel: 0808 800 2222 (open at all times) or text 0800 783 6783
For a supportive community for parents of teens:
Web: www.gotateenager.org.uk
Youth Connexions
Youth Connexions Hertfordshire is a service for young people which aims to provide information and advice, guidance and support, and personal development opportunities for all 13-19 year olds (up to 25 years for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities).
Web: www.youthconnexions-hertfordshire.org
Tel: 0800 389 3258
Urban Access
Urban Access is a local charity that offers a free counselling service to young people aged 13 to 25. The counselling offered is generic one-to-one counselling that aims to be accessible as possible to the young people.
Access to counselling is by self-referral only, so the young person in need of counselling will need to call Urban Access themselves to arrange a session.
Tel: 01442 252868
Email: info@urbanaccess.org.uk
Text: 07806 072117
ACE
The Advisory Centre for Education offers free, independent advice to families on all aspects of state-funded education for children of school age. We provide information and guidance on a full range of education issues, such as school age. They provide information and guidance on a full range of education i ssues, such as school exclusions, admissions and appeals, bullying and complaints.
Web: www.ace-ed.org.uk
Email: enquiries@ace-ed.org.uk
Tel: 0808 800 5793 (general) 0808 800 0327 (exclusion advice line - Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm)
Parents in touch
Parents in touch is an information site for parents to help them understand the national curriculum. There are ideas and worksheets you can use at home, with a forum area for communicating with other parents and the opportunity to ask for individual advice.
Web: www.parentsintouch.co.uk
Contact a family - for families with disabled children
Contact a Family is the only UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children, no matter what their disability or health condition. We also help parents get in contact with other families.
Web: www.cafamily.org.uk
Email: helpline@cafamily.org.uk
Tel: 0808 808 3555 or text 0808 808 3556 (Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm)
One parent families / Gingerbread
One Parent Families/Gingerbread is a national centre of expertise on lone parent family life. We provide a range of services, including the Lone Parent Helpline, membership schemes, resources for professionals, campaigning work and learning, training and employability programmes.
Web: www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk
Email: info@oneparentfamilies.org.uk
Tel: 0800 018 5026 (Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm)
Parents Centre - working with Direct Gov
This has been designed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) as a resource for parents to help their children. There is information for parents on helping with children's learning, including advice on choosing a school and finding childcare, with both expert and parents' views.
Web: www.parentscentre.org.uk
Tel: 0870 000 2288
Young Minds - for children's mental health
Young Minds is the UK's only national charity committed to improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of all children and young people. We promote children's good mental health by providing advice for families, training for front-line practitioners and through our campaigning.
Web: www.youngminds.org.uk
Family Rights Group - advice service
The confidential telephone advice service supports parents and other family members whose children are involved with, or need, social care services.
Web: www.frg.org.uk
Email: advice@frg.org.uk
Tel - 0800 731 1696 (Mon - Fri 10am - 3;30pm)
Citizens Advice Bureau - advice service
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers. You can get advice online, over the phone or in person by arranging an appointment at a local bureau.
Web: www.adviceguide.org.uk/
Tel: (Tring) 01442 825775
The nearest online advice is available from the Leighton Buzzard website:
Web: www.leightonlinsladecab.org.uk
Talk2YourTeen!
Talk2YourTeen has been designed to offer parents hints, tips and information about how to approach issues, such as relationships and sex with your children.
Talk2YourTeen magazine
Tel - 01438 737500
Social Networking
Social networking or forums offer support and advice from other parents. Sometimes it's enough just knowing you're not alone!! Here's a selection we've come across, but let us know if you've found others useful.
netmums.com
Netmums, as a social network, is the biggest source of support and advice for mums in the UK. Uniquely, it is locally based, connecting parents with each other and with services within their local area. We are working with the Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association (part of Unite).
Web: www.netmums.com or www.amicus-cphva.org
Mumsnet.com
Mumsnet is a social network whose philosophy is simple: To make parents' lives easier by pooling knowledge and experience. The site has information on children, books, travel, food as well as blogs and "talk" areas.
Web: www.mumsnet.com
