{"id":156,"date":"2023-02-15T21:18:05","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T21:18:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk\/help-at-hand\/?page_id=156"},"modified":"2025-01-06T12:54:51","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T12:54:51","slug":"i-am-a-parent-or-family-member","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk\/help-at-hand\/i-am-a-parent-or-family-member\/","title":{"rendered":"I am a parent or family member"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \"\"\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n\t<\/span>\n\tHelp at Hand<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I am a parent or family member<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

If you’re a parent or family member you can find information and advice through our FAQs and support through external organisations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Are you helping someone in care?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting you with the information you need to help others<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Help at Hand is an advice and assistance service for children who are in care, children living away from home (for example in custody or an inpatient at hospital), children with a social worker and care leavers under 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Children’s Commissioner does not have regulatory or ombudsman powers to investigate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The following is a list of organisations that may be able to assist you depending on your concern:<\/h4>\n\n\n
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\n \n \n \n If you are concerned about the safety of a child\u00a0 <\/span>\n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n
\n \n\n\n\n
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Police<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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999 if its an emergency<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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NSPCC<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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0808 800 5000<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n \n \n \n If you need advice about family breakdown, the following organisations might be able to help <\/span>\n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n
\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Child Law <\/a>Advice<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Specialist advice and information on child, family and education law<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Rights of Women<\/strong>\u202f<\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Specialist advice and information on child, family and education law<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Refuge<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Support for women and children who are experiencing all forms of domestic abuse<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Family Lives<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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National family support charity providing information and help for families that are struggling<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Find a Solicitor<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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\u202fTo find a local lawyer<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Gingerbread<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Support for single parents<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n \n \n If you have a concern or complaint about children\u2019s services, the following might be helpful <\/span>\n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n
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Family Rights Group<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Advice and support for families whose children are working with social services<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Local Authority<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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If you are unhappy with a decision made by your local authority\u2019s social care team, you have the right to make a formal complaint. A guide to this can be found here<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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The Local Government Ombudsman<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Investigates formal complaints made to local authorities<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n \n \n \n If you are contacting us about an education query you may find the following helpful <\/span>\n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n
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Ipsea<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Information, advice and support on issues relating to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Ofsted<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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For complaints or concerns about a specific school<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Office of the Schools Adjudicator<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Helps to clarify the legal position on admissions policies in schools.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Child Law Advice<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Specialist advice and information on child, family and education law<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n \n \n If you are contacting us about an immigration issue, you might find the following organisations helpful <\/span>\n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n
\n \n\n\n\n\n
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Coram Migrant Children\u2019s Project<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Promotes the rights of all refugee and migrant children, young people and families. Email advice service: mcpadvice@coramclc.org.uk<\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Immigration Law Practitioners\u2019 Association (ILPA)<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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A directory of reputable immigration law solicitors<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Help to find an immigration advisor<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n \n \n If you have a query about mental health services for children <\/span>\n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n
\n \n\n\n
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Young Minds<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Advice and resources for children and young people who are worried about their mental health.\u00a0\u00a0
For urgent help text YM to 85258.\u00a0\u00a0
Parents helpline: 0808 802 5544<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n \n \n If you have a query about housing or homelessness, the following organisations maybe able to help <\/span>\n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n
\n \n\n\n\n
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Crisis<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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If you are worried about someone who is at risk of becoming homeless<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Shelter<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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Advice and support on housing and homelessness. Provide an emergency helpline if you are homeless, have nowhere to stay tonight, are worried about losing your home or are at risk of harm in your home.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Are you helping someone in care? Supporting you with the information you need to help others Help at Hand is an advice and assistance service for children who are in care, children living away from home (for example in custody or an inpatient at hospital), children with a social worker and care leavers under 25. 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