Help at Hand may give advice and assistance to children who are in care, working with social services, living away from home (for example, in custody or an inpatient at hospital) or care leavers. The Children’s Commissioner does not have regulatory or ombudsman powers.
The following is a list of organisations that may be able to assist you depending on your concern:
| Police | 999 if its an emergency |
| NSPC | 0800 50000 |
| Child Law Advice | Specialist advice and information on child, family and education law |
| Rights of Women  | Specialist advice and information on child, family and education law |
| Refuge | Support for women and children who are experiencing all forms of domestic abuse |
| Family Lives | National family support charity providing information and help for families that are struggling |
| Find a Solicitor |  To find a local lawyer |
| Gingerbread | Support for single parents |
| Family Rights Group      | Advice and support for families whose children are working with social services |
| Local Authority | If you are unhappy with a decision made by your local authority’s social care team, you have the right to make a formal complaint. A guide to this can be found here. |
| The Local Government Ombudsman | Investigates formal complaints made to local authorities |
| Ipsea | Information, advice and support on issues relating to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) |
| Ofsted | For complaints or concerns about a specific school |
| Office of the Schools Adjudicator | Helps to clarify the legal position on admissions policies in schools. |
| Child Law Advice | Specialist advice and information on child, family and education law |
| Coram Migrant Children’s Project | Promotes the rights of all refugee and migrant children, young people and families. Email advice service: [email protected] |
| Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) | A directory of reputable immigration law solicitors |
| Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) | Help to find an immigration advisor |
| Young Minds | Advice and resources for children and young people who are worried about their mental health. For urgent help text YM to 85258. Parents helpline: 0808 802 5544 |
Help at Hand is the Children’s Commissioner’s advice and assistance service for children in care, children who have a social worker or are working with social services, children living away from home and care leavers.
Children, young people, or their advocates can get in touch with Help at Hand for free by phone, website or email.
Before you decide to contact us, you might find the answer to your question is already here in our most frequently asked questions. Pick the option that applies to you for more information.
