Key National Services for Mums, Dads or Carers

There are lots of different national services for parents or carers. They deal with a wide range of topics and can be accessed in lots of different ways. Below is a selection of some key national services that should be helpful. If you're not sure which service you need or if you have any questions then you can always contact your local Family Information Service.

• Services for all parents
• Services for Lone Parents
• Parents concerned about their relationship
• Expert help for Mums
• Services for dads
• Parents involved with Social Care Services
• Services for parents of disabled children
• Education advice
• Legal advice
• Deaf parents or carers
• Services for LGBT parents
• Services for parents of LGBT children

Services for all parents

Helpline: Parentline Plus (opens in a new window)
0808 800 2222 (Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
Round-the-clock confidential help and advice for all parents and carers.

Instant Messaging: Live Talk (opens in a new window)
Online Instant Messaging Service for parents, particularly fathers, to engage easily with relationship support services.

SMS Text Messaging: Relate SMS Service (opens in a new window)
An SMS service offering parents support from a trained consultant.
Text 60616

Services for Lone Parents

Helpline: Lone Parent Helpline (opens in a new window)
0800 018 5026 (Open Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm & Wed till 8pm)
Telephone support for lone parents provided by One Parent Families/ Gingerbread.
info@oneparentfamilies.org.uk.

Web and social media: One Space
Online facilitated social networking support for lone parents, provided by the Single Parent Action Network.
http://www.onespace.org.uk (opens in a new window)

Parents concerned about their relationship

Web and social media: thecoupleconnection.net
Self-help website for parents who want to change their relationship for the better.
thecoupleconnection.net (opens in a new window)
www.oneplusone.org.uk (opens in a new window)

Expert help for Mums

Social media: Netmums Parent Supporters (opens in a new window)
Netmums has a range of Parent Supporters who can offer on-line support and advice to mums with every problem ranging from domestic abuse to PND, and special needs to relationships issues. 

Services for dads

Social media: Dads’ Space
Info, help and practical advice for all dads. Includes Dads Space 121 – an online space to help fathers stay in contact with their children.
www.dads-space.com (opens in a new window)
www.respect.uk.net (opens in a new window)

Dad Talk (opens in a new window)
A news, information and social network site for all dads everywhere, to share and discuss their most important job
ever, fatherhood.
family@familymatters.org.uk

Parents involved with Social Care Services

Helpline: Family Rights Group Advice (opens in a new window)
Service 0800 731 1696 (Open Mon-Fri 10am – 3.30pm)
Telephone advice for parents of children who are involved with or need social care services.
advice@frg.org.uk

Services for parents of disabled children

Helpline: Contact a Family Helpline (opens in a new window)
0808 8083 555 (Open Mon-Fri 10am – 4pm & Mon 5.30 – 7.30pm)
Telephone support for parents of disabled children.
helpline@cafamily.org.uk

Web and social media: Contact a Family Online (opens in a new window)
Online support for parents and carers of disabled children.

Education advice

SMS Text Messaging: Ask ACE (opens in a new window)
Education advice via text messaging.
Text: ASKACE to 688808

Helpline:  ACE Advice Line (opens in a new window)
0808 800 5793 (Open Mon-Fri 10am – 5pm)
Telephone advice on education, exclusions and bullying.
enquiries@ace-ed.org.uk

Legal advice

Helpline: Child Law Advice Line (opens in a new window)
0845 120 2948 (Open Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm)
Child and Family Law advice via telephone. Calls can cost up to 4 pence per minute peak rate, networks and mobile charges may vary.
clc@essex.ac.uk 

Deaf Parenting

Website: Deaf Parent (opens in a new window)
Website offers support and advice to deaf parents or carers and those working with deaf parents or carers. This service is not part of the national Parent Know How programme.

Services for LGBT parents

The D'Arcy Lainey Foundation (DALAFO) is a national, voluntary, not-for-profit organisation working with and for LGBT families. Providing support, guidance and social activities to all LGBT families and those wishing to start a family. The foundation manages a range of national projects, most notably Pink Parents UK (opens in a new window).

Services for parents of LGBT children

Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is a national voluntary organisation and registered charity.
FFLAG is dedicated to supporting parents and their gay, lesbian and bisexual sons and daughters (opens in a new window).