If you're a child or young person who has experienced problems similar to those in The Unloved, or if you're concerned about a young person, the following details of organisations may be helpful.
A National Voice 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 (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm) or email info@anationalvoice.org
NAPAC (The National Association for People Abused in Childhood) provide support no matter how long ago the abuse took place, pointing people in the right direction to take control of their own recovery. Call 0800 085 3330 (free, confidential Mon-Fri, 10.30am-3pm and 6-8pm).
ChildLine provide free and confidential counselling for anyone up to the age of 18. Call the helpline 0800 11 11 (free, 24-hrs 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.
If you're concerned about the safety of a child, call the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline on 0808 800 5000 (free, confidential, 24 hours every day of the year). A free textphone service is in place for people who are hard of hearing on 0800 056 0566. There's also an email helpline - help@nspcc.org.uk
In Care Survivors Service Scotland is a new service helping people who have been abused in care. Offering counselling, advocacy, access to records, befriending and art therapy, call 0800 121 6027 (free, confidential Mon– Fri 9am-dash;5pm)
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
Re-Solv run a helpline for anyone concerned about solvent or volatile substance abuse. Call 01785 810762 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
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 (Mon-Fri 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.
Voice empowers children and young people in care and campaigns for change to improve their lives. Amongst other services, they provide independent advocates on request (that is someone to help you speak up or to act on your behalf) to children and young people who are in need, looked after or who have left care. To speak to a Voice advocate call 0808 800 5792 (free, Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm or leave a message).
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.
Sexwise provide information, advice and guidance on anything to do with sex, sexual health and relationships for young people aged 12 to 18. Call their experienced advisers on 0800 28 29 30 (free, confidential 7-12am every day of the year.
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, Mon-Fri 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
Parentline Plus offer help and support to anyone in a parenting role. Call 0808 800 22 22 (free, confidential 24 hours a day). They also provide an email helpline at parentsupport@parentlineplus.org.uk
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