There are a large number of organisations working with parents, families and family members. Listed below are a few key contacts.

Advice Health and wellbeing
Childcare International
Children's services Law and the justice system
Couple relationships Poverty and social exclusion
Diversity Schools
Family relationships Third sector
Family services Work and the family
Fundraising Young people
Government and policy

Advice

BBC Parenting
The BBC's website for parents.

Channel 4 Parenting and Family Issues
Channel 4 "covers the whole tricky territory from adoption to break-up, from legal rights to sibling rivalry".

DCSF Parents' Centre
A section of the Department for Children, Schools and Families' website aimed specifically at parents, which offers information and advice about education, the curriculum and finding a school.

Directgov - Parents
Provides access to a range of national and local government services and information online, with a specific section for parents.

Parentalk
Offers advice, information and support for parents aiming to help them make the most of every stage of their child's growing up.

The Parent's Guide to Money
The Financial Services Authority is trialling a resource for new parents.

Raising kids
Advice, discussion forums, links, on all aspects of bringing up children.

Childcare

Action for Children
Gives practical support and speak out for vulnerable children and young people.

ChildcareLink
National information on child care facilities in England, Scotland and Wales.

Ghildren in England (formerly the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations)
Umbrella organisation for voluntary child care agencies in England. Also hosts several projects working with families and parents including the Supporting Families Project and the Family Centre Network.

Daycare Trust
Promotes high quality, affordable and accessible child care for all. Advises child care providers, employers, trade unions and policymakers on child care.

Children's services

Asylum Seeking and Refugee Children: Developing Good Practice Project
The good practice website for those working with separated or unaccompanied refugee children and young people.

Barnardo's
Barnardo's helps children, young people and their families over the long term to overcome the most severe disadvantages - problems like abuse, homelessness and poverty - and to tackle the challenges of disability.

Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services
C4EO will identify and coordinate local, regional and national evidence of 'what works', to create a single and comprehensive picture of effective practice in delivering children's services. Using this information, C4EO will offer support to local authorities and their Children's Trust partners, working with them to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families.

ChildLine
Free national help line for children in trouble or in danger. Also produces leaflets and information on child-related issues.

Children in Scotland
An independent Scottish charity which works in partnership with the National Children's Bureau and Children in Wales. It aims to identify and promote the interests of children and their families throughout Scotland.

Children in Wales
The national umbrella children's organisation in Wales. Works in partnership with the National Children's Bureau and Children in Scotland. Children in Wales is also working in partnership with the NFPI and has a dedicated post for parenting issues in Wales. See the Parents in Wales website for further details.

Rights4Me
Website of the Office of the Children's Rights Director for England (OCRD), for all those living in a children's home, family centre, boarding school, residential special school, further education college, with foster carers, who are adopted, getting any sort of help from social services or a care leaver.

Couple Relationships

Institute of Family Therapy
Provides training programmes from introductory to MSc to Doctorate levels, clinical services for families and couples facing a wide range of relationship difficulties, a family mediation service for couples who are separating or divorcing, a Centre for Child Studies, a Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies and consultation to professionals in relation to clinical practice and training.

One Plus One
Established to generate a knowledge base about marriage and relationships and to research and disseminate information about marriage and long term partnerships. Other One Plus One websites include
The Couple Connection - Interactive information, advice, exercises and social networking for couples and parents.
My Mum and Dad Argue a Lot - evidence based resources providing support and guidance for practitioners working with parents and families,
The Parent Connection - information about how the quality of the relationship between parents matters to their children.

Relate
Provides family counselling, couple and relationship counselling and family education. Counsellors work in locations throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Diversity

BME Spark
Commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government, BMEspark is a network of thousands of practitioners working in commissioners and providers of Supporting People services, sharing action, research and knowledge about the needs of, and services for vulnerable black and minority ethnic people. Subscription only.

British Institute of Learning Disabilities
Working to improve the lives of people in the UK with a learning disability.

Deaf Parenting Project
Established in 2001 in response to a lack of resources for deaf parents, the group is made up of parents and professionals.

Disabled Parents Network
A national organisation of and for disabled people who are parents or who hope to become parents, and their families, friends and supporters.

Early Support
The Government's recommended approach to co-ordinating services across England for families with young disabled children, providing a range of information and practical material to help parents and anyone who works with young disabled children and their families, and information about the Early Support training programme and approved trainers.

Equality and Human Rights Commission
Formed by the merger of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), and the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).

Ethnic Minority Foundation
A national registered charity created to provide a secure base for Britain's minority ethnic communities.

Interfaith Network for the UK
Seeks to promote good relations between people of different faiths in this country. Member organisations include representative bodies from the Baha'i; Buddhist; Christian; Hindu; Jain; Jewish; Muslim; Sikh; and Zoroastrian communities; national and local inter faith bodies; and academic institutions and educational bodies concerned with inter faith issues.

National Autistic Society
Champions the rights and interests of all people with autism and aim to provide individuals with autism and their families with help, support and services. Website includes information about autism and Asperger syndrome, the NAS and its services and activities.

National Parent Partnership Network
A national organisation supporting and enabling parents and carers of children with special educational needs.

PinkParents UK
Offers information, advice and support on all aspects of lesbian and gay parenting.

Race Equality Foundation
A national agency which provides race equality consultancy, research, development and training in social care. Supports the National Network of Black Voluntary Organisations Working with Black Children and Families.

Women's National Commission
The official, independent, advisory body giving the views of women to the Government. Aims to ensure that women's views are taken into account by the Government and are heard in public debate.

Family relationships

Families Need Fathers
FNF is a registered charity, principally concerned with the problems of maintaining a child's relationship with both parents during and after family breakdown. FNF provides information and support to parents of either sex.

The Fatherhood Institute
The UK's national information centre for fatherhood which exists to support the welfare of children by the positive and active involvement of fathers and male carers in their lives.

Grandparents' Association
Provides advice and information to grandparents who are estranged from their young relatives and to support those grandparents who are bringing up their grandchildren. Provides information and publications covering grandparenting issues.

Grandparents Plus
A new charity which is working to promote the role of kinship care and care by grandparents at all levels - particularly in circumstances of family breakdown, single parenthood or other difficult conditions.

Parenting UK
A national umbrella organisation for all those concerned with or working with children, parents and families. Provides a focal point for information, debate and the sharing of good practice in parenting education and support.

Parentline Plus
A national charity which provides information and support to parents and their families. Runs a national freephone help line (0808 800 2222) and parent network courses for parents. (Parentline Plus has been formed following the merger of Parentline, the National Stepfamily Association and Parent Network).

Parentzone
Information for parents, carers and others responsible for school-aged children in Scotland.

PIPPIN
Parents in Partnership - Parent Infant Network is a national charity concerned with the promotion of healthy parents and child development in the period surrounding the birth of a child. Runs a number of parenting courses which provide education and support programmes for new parents.

Family services

Family Rights Group
A registered charity established to provide advice, advocacy and support for families whose children are involved with social services.

Family Action
Family Action provides grants as well as social work support to people of all ages, working with them to help them solve their own problems.

Multiple Births Foundation
Aims to improve the care and support of multiple birth families through the education of all relevant professionals.

National Academy for Parenting Practitioners
Centre of excellence, providing training for those who support parents in the community; and research on what methods work to support parents.

One Parent Families|Gingerbread
Works to promote the welfare of lone parents and their children. Runs a lone parent help line and provides a range of information. Campaigns and lobbies on lone parent issues.

National Parent Partnership Network
Support network for parent partnership services, statutory services that offer information, advice and support for parents of children and young people with special educational needs (SEN)

Parenting Across Scotland
A partnership of voluntary organisations funded by the Scottish Executive to provide a focus for issues affecting parents in Scotland today.

Tamba - the Twins and Multiple Births Association
Nationwide UK charity providing information and mutual support networks for families of twins, triplets and more.

Fundraising

Charities Aid Foundation
Offers a range of services to individual and corporate donors and to charities.

Children in Need
Makes grants to organisations working with children and young people who may have mental, physical or sensory disabilities; behavioural or psychological disorders; experienced poverty or situations of deprivation; or suffered through distress, abuse or neglect.

Big Lottery Fund
There are a number of funding streams under the Big Lottery Fund which are open to organisations working with children, young people and families.

Directory of Social Change
Aims to be an internationally recognised independent source of information and support to voluntary and community sectors worldwide, providing training and information.

Government Funding Website
Online portal to grants for the voluntary and community sector from government departments.

UK Fundraising Website
Helps charities in the UK and internationally to use the Internet as a fundraising tool to enhance and extend their existing fundraising activities.

Government and Policy

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
BERR's central purpose is to help ensure business success in an increasingly competitive world. It is the voice for business across Government.

Department for Children, Schools and Families
Leads work across Government to ensure that all children and young people stay healthy and safe, secure an excellent education and the highest possible standards of achievement, enjoy their childhood, make a positive contribution to society and the economy, and have lives full of opportunity, free from the effects of poverty

Department for Communities and Local Government
Sets policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue. Responsibility for all race equality and community cohesion related issues and for building regulations and fire safety.

Department of Health
The aim of the Department of Health is to improve the health and wellbeing of people in England.

Department for Work and Pensions
Promotes opportunity and independence for all, helps individuals achieve their potential through employment, and works to end poverty in all its forms.

Institute for Public Policy Research
The UK's leading progressive think tank, producing cutting edge research and innovative policy ideas for a just, democratic and sustainable world.

Health and wellbeing

ADDISS, The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service
Provides people-friendly information and resources about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to anyone who needs assistance - parents, sufferers, teachers or health professionals.

Al-Anon Family Groups UK & Eire
Offers support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.

Child Accident Prevention Trust
A national charity committed to reducing the number of children and young people who are killed, disabled or seriously injured as a result of accidents.

The Children's Society
Campaigning organisation supporting children in trouble with the law, children at risk on the streets, young refugees and disabled children.

4Children
National charity dedicated to creating opportunities and building futures for all children.

Contact A Family
For families with disabled children. Offers a range of services to support families, including a freephone helpline and a number of offices, staff and volunteers around the UK. Also provides information to professionals and developmental advice to support groups.

Coram Family Services
Promotes resilience in vulnerable children and young people, enabling them to take responsibility for their own lives and achieve their full potential, and develops and promotes best practice in the care of vulnerable children and their families.

Homestart-UK
A registered charity which provides support, friendship and practical help to families with children under five in their own homes.

National Childbirth Trust
Offers information and support in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. A membership organisation, run by parents for parents. Runs antenatal classes, postnatal discussion groups, counselling and a network of local branches.

National Children's Bureau
The NCB promotes the interests and well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. The Bureau advocates the participation of all children and young people in matters affecting them.

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
NICE is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on promoting good health and preventing and treating ill health.

NSPCC
Offers counselling, information and advice for anyone concerned about a child at risk of abuse.

Sure Start
The government programme to deliver the best start in life for every child, bringing together, early education, childcare, health and family support.

WellChild
National charity providing care and support for sick children and their families, while leading research into childhood illness and disease.

YoungMinds
A national charity working to promote the mental health of children and young people and to encourage the provision of comprehensive child and adolescent mental health services.

International

Australian Institute for Family Studies
Australia's foremost centre for research and information on family wellbeing.

ChildONEurope
L'Europe de l'Enfance was set up by the EU Member States and works for the introduction of mainstreaming of children's policies and the rights of the child in all EU policies .

Europarent
The "Parenting in the 21st Century" project aims to provide a sustainable transnational network for the exchange and development of information and materials to improve the standard of work with parents.

New Zealand Families Commission
A voice for New Zealand families, speaking out for all families and promoting a better understanding of family issues and needs among government agencies and the wider community.

Law and the justice system

CAFCASS
CAFCASS works in the family courts to look after the interests of children involved in family proceedings. It works with children and their families, and then advises the courts on what it considers to be in the children's best interests.

The Children's Legal Centre
An independent, national, charity concerned with law and policy affecting children and young people. Provides a wide range of legal advice via its website and offers organisations which become paying subscribers access to a legal adviser for their own staff and clients.

Children's Rights Alliance for England
An alliance of over 380 voluntary and statutory organisations committed to the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Families Do Matter
The West Midlands Children and Families of Offenders Project's website is intended to be a practical online resource, both for offenders and their families and the partnership of organisations that are able to offer support to them. Much of its information is not location-specific.

Family Justice Council
Seeks to promote an inter-disciplinary approach to the needs of family justice, and through consultation and research, to monitor the effectiveness of the system and advise on reforms necessary for continuous improvement.

Family Mediation Council
The Family Mediation Council (FMC), launched on 1 October 2007, will campaign for greater public awareness of and access to mediation.

Smart Justice for Young People
Campaigns for more alternatives to prison and initiatives that tackle the causes of young people's crimes.

Poverty and social exclusion

End Child Poverty
Campaigning group formed from children's and other charities, social justice groups, faith-groups, trade unions and others concerned about the unacceptably high levels of child poverty in the UK.

Schools

Advisory Centre for Education
An independent, registered charity, which offers information about state education in England and Wales for parents of school age children, and advice on many subjects like exclusion from school, bullying, special educational needs and school admission appeals

European Research Network About Parents in Education
ERNAPE is an association of networks organised by areas, with the aim of exchanging knowledge of research developments in Europe and stimulating research about parents in education at all levels, including intercultural European research.

School-Home Support Service (UK)
National charity that builds bridges between home and school to enable children and young people to make the most of their education, by providing trained and experienced workers and learning mentors who become part of the school's pastoral care team.

Third sector

Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations
The professional body for the third sector's chief executives, with over 2000 members. Seeks to connect, develop and represent the sector's leaders, with a view to increasing the sector's impact and efficiency.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations
Aims to give voice and support to voluntary and community organisations, lobbying government, and researching and analysing the voluntary sector.

Work and families

Working Families
Formed by the amalgamation of two organisations, Parents at Work and New Ways to Work. Aims to help children, working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between home and work responsibilities.

Young people

The Trust for the Study of Adolescence
Promotes the study of adolescence by fostering and stimulating research, disseminating information and raising awareness of the needs of young people.

Last updated: 3rd December 2008 at 03:12:53