Dispatches

Dispatches: Lost in Care looks at many aspects of the child care system, fostering and adoption in the UK. If you are affected by or interested in some of the same issues the following information may be helpful.

Fostering

The Fostering Network is for everyone with a personal or professional involvement in fostering. They have offices in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow and London. To find out if fostering is for you, go to their website, where you will also find a directory of foster services available throughout the UK. If you are fostering and need some information or advice call the Fosterline 0800 040 7675 (free, Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm).

The British Association for Adoption and Fostering - BAAF has for 25 years worked for children separated from their birth families. They provide the Be My Parent service foster and adoptive parents for children in the UK through their family-finding website and a monthly newspaper. You can also call them on 0207 421 2600 (Monday - Friday 9am -5pm).

There's also information on what's involved in fostering and adoption on the government website www.direct.gov.uk

Children & young people in care

The Care Leavers Association is run by those who have been in care themselves. Their website offers information, advice and support around a range of issues which affect people who have lived in care, including information on accessing your records. Call 0161 236 1980 (Monday – Friday 9am - 5pm) or email info@careleavers.org. They also run Care Leavers Reunited to assist anyone trying to remake contact with people you might have lived with in care but have lost contact with.

The Who Cares? Trust work to improve care for children and young people who are separated from their families and living in residential or foster care. They produce Who Cares?, for teenagers and KLiC! for 8 to 13 year olds, the only UK-wide magazines for young people in care. If you don't receive the quarterly magazine, ask your social worker how you can get a copy.

A National Voice – ANV is the only organisation run for and by care experienced young people. If you're concerned about the care you're experiencing, whether in a children's home or foster care, call 0161 237 5577 (Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm) or email info@anationalvoice.org

It's important when leaving care and setting out on your own to know what you're entitled to and how social services can help you prepare. Shelter can help you if you find yourself with a housing problem or homeless. For urgent housing advice call 0808 800 444 (free, 8am - 8pm every day of the week).

Adoption

Barnardo's specialise in finding and identifying carers who are prepared to develop the skills and insight to support older children, those from minority ethnic communities, children and young people with disabilities and sibling groups. Barnardo's guide you through a detailed matching process and provide on going support. For more information visit their website or call 0191 240 4846 (Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm).

Coram is one of the leading adoption agencies providing loving and secure families for children in care who cannot live with their birth parents. Coram's concurrent planning project places babies and children under two years with carers while plans for their future are being decided by the courts. To find out more call 0207 520 0383 (Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm).

The Adoption and Fostering Information Line is a voluntary agency offering information on all aspect of adoption and fostering. Check out their website or call 0800 783 4086 (free, Monday - Friday 9am -5pm).

Adoption UK is a national self-help group run by and for adoptive parents and foster carers. They offer support at all stages of adoption process. Call 0844 848 7900 (Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm). In Northern Ireland call 028 9446 9493 (Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm) or email helpdesk@adoptionuk.org.uk

After Adoption provide information, support and advice to anyone connected to an adoption. Call 0800 056 8578 (free, Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm) or email information@afteradoption.org.uk

Children & families

Get Connected is a free helpline and email service helping young people find the best support whatever their problem. It's especially good for anyone thinking of leaving home or has left home already. Call 0808 808 4994 (free from main mobile services, 7 days a week 1pm - 11pm), or email help@getconnected.org.uk

If you're a young person, ChildLine provide free and confidential counselling for anyone up to the age of 18. Call the helpline 0800 11 11 (free, 24 hours a day every day). If you have difficulty in hearing or in using a regular phone try the textphone service on 0800 400 222. ChildLine phone lines can be very busy but do keep trying and you will get through.

Family Rights Group have experienced advisers to give legal and practical advice to families whose children are involved with, or need, local authority children's services. Call 0808 801 0366 (free, confidential, Monday - Friday 10am -3.30pm) for independent advice. Types of calls received include:

• Parents when social workers are worried that their child is at risk
• Families who need help from the local authority to look after their children
• Grandparents and other friends and family members who are raising children who cannot safely live at home
• Parents who have a child in care

Channel 4 Television takes no responsibility for the content of any third-party sites.