Your rights>… as a family member - United Kingdom
- >After Adoption
- The site provides information, support and advice to all those affected by adoption. There are two helplines: ActionLine for adults and a unique young persons helpline, TALKadoption. You can email or call for free to get help and support.
- http://www.afteradoption.org.uk/ [EN]
- >BBC Parenting
- Help and advice for parents and families. Includes information on your rights at work, where you can get assistance for childcare costs and how to contact support services if you need help.
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/parenting [EN]
- >British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering
- Information for people who want to adopt or foster a child. Includes information on the latest legislation, a database of local adoption agencies, online forums and advice.
- http://www.baaf.org.uk [EN]
- >Child Poverty Action Group
- Includes welfare rights advice and information on how to make sure your family is claiming everything that it's entitled to.
- http://www.cpag.org.uk [EN]
- >Childcare Link
- Find childcare providers in your local area. Look up Understanding Childcare for advice on the types of provision available and how to pay for it. Information leaflets are also available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gaelic, Punjabi and Urdu. No information for Northern Ireland, though.
- http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/index.asp [EN]
- >Childline
- Information and advice for children and young people is available from this site. Childline runs a free, 24-hour helpline that offers confidential advice on any problems you may be having.
- http://www.childline.org.uk [EN]
- >Children Are Unbeatable!
- The law protects adults from being hit, but not children. This is the site of a campaign to reform the law in order to give children the same rights as adults. Read the report to find out what children have to say about this issue.
- http://www.childrenareunbeatable.org.uk [EN]
- >Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
- If you are involved with court cases such as custody hearings or face being taken into care, then this service can help you. There’s information written specifically for children, for teenagers and for parents on this site.
- http://www.cafcass.gov.uk [EN][CY]
- >Civil Partnership
- Same sex couples can have their relationships legally recognised. Anyone who registers a civil partnership will have the same rights as a married couple in areas like tax, social security, inheritance and workplace benefits. The new rights apply to the UK as a whole, but the information provided on this site deals with registering a civil partnership in England and Wales.
- http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/lgbt/partnership.htm [EN]
- >Directgov - Public services
- This site will help you find out about employment law. Adoption rights, maternity and parental leave, working arrangements for parents, parental time off and pay are all covered.
- http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/index.htm [EN]
- >Equal Opportunities Commission
- Information on parents' rights at work. You have rights to maternity leave and pay, paternity leave and leave when you adopt a child. You also have the right to ask your employer for family-friendly working practices.
- http://www.eoc.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=15353 [EN][CY]
- >Equality Network
- Equality Network campaigns for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Scotland. Find out your rights, read about the law, get LGBT news or join the forum to communicate with other people.
- http://www.equality-network.org/ [EN]
- >Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
- Supports parents and their lesbian, gay or bisexual children. Provides free online documents giving advice to parents and to people who want to tell their parents about their sexual orientation.
- http://www.fflag.org.uk [EN]
- >Families and children
- Families are entitled to a range of financial benefits and services, so have a look at the UK government's information to find out more.
- http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/famchild/index.asp [EN][CY]
- >Family and Parenting Institute
- The Family and Parenting Institute is a charity aiming to improve the wellbeing of children and families in the UK. Here you can find information for parents and caregivers on a range of family issues.
- http://www.familyandparenting.org/ [EN][CY]
- >Gingerbread
- Supports single-parent families. Call the advice line for free, search for a Gingerbread group in your local area, or take part in the chat room and forum.
- http://www.gingerbread.org.uk [EN]
- >Inland Revenue Tax credits
- Use the calculators to find out if you qualify for working families tax credit, which can help pay for childcare.
- http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/HomeNew.aspx [EN][CY]
- >It's Not Your Fault
- If your parents have split up, or are thinking of separating, then you can find support and advice from this site, which is aimed at both children and young people.
- http://www.itsnotyourfault.org [EN]
- >National Society for Children and Family Contact
- NSCFC is trying to change the family law in favour of children. There is a helpline for parents and children, parents’ support and legal advice. There is also a confidential helpline for men who are victims of psychological abuse or physical domestic violence.
- http://www.nscfc.com/ [EN]
- >One Parent Families
- Features an interactive helpdesk, free downloads and up-to-date information on issues that affect lone parents. You can also link to the site for Scotland from here.
- http://www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk [EN]
- >Parentline Plus
- This charity offers support to anyone who cares for a child. Some information written specifically for children and young people is available, and is mainly focussed on what happens when families change.
- http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk [EN]
- >Pink Parents
- Information for lesbian, gay and bisexual parents and their children. There's advice on becoming a parent, and a page for children.
- http://www.pinkparents.org.uk [EN]
- >Relate
- Help and counselling is available for families, parents and young people. Relationship counseling, mediation and other services are offered at their offices, on the phone and through the website.
- http://www.relate.org.uk [EN]
- >Sure Start
- This new initiative from the government aims to help parents provide their children with a good start in life. Find out how the scheme will link childcare, early education, healthcare and family support.
- http://www.surestart.gov.uk [EN]
- >Working Families
- Advice for working parents. There's advice on employment law, including paternity and maternity leave, information for parents with disabled children, new parents, fathers, people on low incomes and more. The site also acts as a portal to other sources of information on childcare, work-life balance, caring, employment and support for parents.
- http://www.workingfamilies.org.uk [EN]
- >Working parents
- Get up-to-date with the latest legislation on what parents are entitled to in terms of time off and pay.
- http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/workingparents.htm [EN]
- >Young Carers
- Information on your rights as a young carer and advice on issues that may affect you. Look up support services in your local area - England, Scotland and Wales are covered.
- http://www.youngcarer.com/ [EN]
- England and Wales: Family Rights Group
- For parents and caregivers whose children are involved with social services. The group provides a free helpline and downloadable advice sheets. You can order the sheets for free if you don't have Acrobat.
- http://www.frg.org.uk/index.asp [EN]
- England and Wales: Living Together
- If you live with your partner, your legal situation is very different from that of married couples, yet many people don't realise this until something goes wrong! This site has down-to-earth advice on important matters such as moving in together, finance, wills, children, accidents and emergencies and much more.
- http://www.advicenow.org.uk/go/livingtogether/index.html [EN]
- England and Wales: Women's Aid Federation England
- Information and advice from a charity supporting women and children affected by domestic violence. The national domestic violence 24-hour helpline can provide help and details of how to find a refuge.
- http://www.womensaid.org.uk [EN]
- Northern Ireland: Children's Services
- Provides information on adoption and fostering, including support for people affected by adoption. Also has advice on finding childcare in Northern Ireland.
- http://www.childrensservicesnorthernireland.com [EN]
- Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Women's Aid Federation
- Runs a 24-hour helpline for women affected by domestic violence, and also has online information.
- http://www.niwaf.org [EN]
- Scotland: Children 1st
- Find information on children's services and support for parents and caregivers throughout Scotland. Link to Parentline Scotland.
- http://www.children1st.org.uk/about/services.html [EN]
- Scotland: Scottish Women's Aid
- Helps women, children and young people who have been affected by domestic violence.
- http://www.scottishwomensaid.co.uk/children/over12/index.html [EN]
- Wales: Children in Wales
- Campaigns for the rights of children and young people, and provides information and research on children's issues. A special section for young people is being developed - have a look and tell them what you want to see on the pages.
- http://www.childreninwales.org.uk [EN][CY]
Last update: 01/02/2012 @ 16:35:56