USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
AND ADDRESSES
Your life doesn’t stop just because you are in hospital. There will be things outside of the unit that may be important to you. It’s OK to ask about these things and express your views on them whatever they are. You may also be thinking about what will happen when you leave.
Whatever your situation there are several people who can help you with getting things sorted for life outside of your unit, especially for things like housing, benefits, school or college. For example:
Your Connexions Adviser
School Social Worker or Counsellor (if they have one)
Citizens Advice Bureau
(good for help with benefits)
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
ACTION FOR CHILDREN
www.actionforchildren.org.uk
Action for Children supports and speaks out for the most vulnerable children and young people in the UK
ADDISS
- National Attention Deficit Disorder Infomation and Support Service
www.addiss.co.uk
Information and advice for parents, young people and professionals on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Telephone: 020 8952 2800
Email: info@addiss.co.uk
B-EAT
www.b-eat.co.uk/youngpeople/home
Telephone: (adults) : 08456 341414
Telephone: (under 25s): 08456 347650
Text: 07786 201820
Email: help@b-eat.co.uk
B-eat is a UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families. There are separate confidential helplines - one for adults and one for young people under 25.
Under 25s can also text or chat online to a member of the youth team. The adult helpline is open 10.30am-8.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 1pm-4.30pm, Saturdays. The young people’s helpline is open 4.30pm-8.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 1pm-4.30pm, Saturdays. All calls from the UK are free.
Childhood Bereavement Network
www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk
Information, guidance and support for bereaved children and young people.
Telephone: 020 7843 6309
Email: cbn@ncb.org.uk
CHILDLINE - 0800 11 11
National helpline for all children.
www.childline.org.uk
A FREE 24 Hour HELPLINE for Children and young people. You can call about any problem, at any time day or night. ChildLine’s counsellors are there to help you find ways to sort things out. Their website can also offer you help and advice.
Children’s Legal Centre
www.childrenslegalcentre.com
The Children’s Legal Centre is a unique, independent national charity concerned with law and policy affecting children and young people. The Children’s Legal Centre has many years of experience in providing legal advice and representation to children, their carers and professionals throughout the UK. It opened in 1981, as the major UK project for the International Year of the Child, and is staffed by lawyers and professionals with experience in child law.
Advice line: 0120 687 3820
(Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm)
Email: clc@essex.ac.uk
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU: ADVICE GUIDE
www.adviceguide.org.uk
Advice and frequently asked questions on issues to do with family, health, housing, education, money, rights and the legal system.
CONNEXIONS DIRECT
www.connexions-direct.com
Confidential advice and practical help for young people aged between 13-19.- Information on topics such as careers, learning, health, housing and your rights.
CQC - Care Quality Commission
www.cqc.org.uk
An independent body which replaces the Mental Health Act Commission in April 09.
The Care Quality Commission looks after the interests of everyone requiring help from Health and Social Care services as well as monitoring the good practice in the use of the Mental Health Act.
CRAE
- Childrens Rights Alliance for England
www.crae.org.uk
Childrens Rights Alliance for England – they funded us to make this toolkit
Telephone: 020 7278 8222
Advice line: 0800 32 88 759
(Tues to Thurs 3.30-5.30pm):
Email: info@crae.org.uk
Email: advice@crae.org.uk
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ONLINE
www.cjsonline.org
Information on criminal justice and the law, whether you are a victim, witness, offender, or defendant.
DIRECTGOV - Young People
www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/index.htm
Access a wide range of online services for young people.
HOPELineUK, - 08000 68 41 41
Telephone helpline staffed by professionally qualified advisers who can give support, practical advice and information to anyone who is concerned that a young person they know may be suicidal or who may be suicidal themselves. Calls are free from BT landlines. Other networks and mobile rates may vary.
KIDSCAPE
www.kidscape.org.uk
Kidscape is committed to keeping children safe from abuse. Kidscape is the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. Kidscape believes that protecting children from harm is key.
Telephone: 020 7730 3300.
Helpline: 08451 205 204
Fax: 020 7730 7081
NCB
- National Children’s Bureau
www.ncb.org.uk
The National Children’s Bureau is a registered UK charity that aims to identify and promote the interests and well being of children and young people. Information is provided on membership, conferences and seminars, research, publications and associated bodies. Links are provided to the Early Childhood Unit, the Policy Unit and the Children’s Residential Care Unit. In addition the site hosts forums on children and violence, drug education and sex education.
Telephone: 020 7843 6000
NEED2KNOW
www.need2know.co.uk
Information on health, money, work, leisure, housing, sex and relationships. Lots of links across to other useful websites. Information on topics such as careers, learning, health, housingand your rights.
NSPCC
- National Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children
www.nspcc.org.uk
- the UK’s leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children.
Telephone: 0808 800 5000
NYAS
- National Youth Advocacy Service
Helpline: 0800 61 61 01
www.nyas.net
NYAS offers advice and support over the phone to children and young people who want to have their wishes and feelings taken into account when decisions are made about them.
PAPYRUS
- Prevention of Young Suicide
www.papyrus-uk.org
A Registered charity committed to the prevention of young suicide and the promotion of good mental health and emotional well-being. Provides resources and support for those dealing with suicide, depression or emotional distress – particularly teenagers and young adults.
Telephone: 01282 432555
Fax: 01282 432777
Email: admin@papyrus-uk.org
PAPYRUS ALSO RUN:
HOPELineUK, - 08000 68 41 41
Telephone helpline staffed by professionally qualified advisers who can give support, practical advice and information to anyone who is concerned that a young person they know may be suicidal or who may be suicidal themselves. Calls are free from BT landlines. Other networks and mobile rates may vary.
PARTICIPATION WORKS
www.participationworks.org.uk
Telephone: 0845 603 6725
Email: enquiries@participationworks.org.uk
R U THINKING
www.ruthinking.co.uk
Information and advice on sex, contraception and relationships for under 18s.
SAMARITANS
www.samaritans.org
National helpline for any person in distress.
Telephone: 08457 90 90 90
TEENAGE HEALTH FREAK
www.teenagehealthfreak.org
Website primarily aimed at younger teens. Has a large question and answer section that users can write in to. The main focuses are alcohol and drugs, weight issues, and teenage body changes. There is also a blog from a teenager that kids may be able to relate to.
THERE4ME.COM
www.there4me.com
Advice for 12- to 16-year-olds on all sorts of issues, including bullying, drugs, relationships, exams and difficulties at home.
Provided by the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) .
THE SITE (YouthNet UK)
www.thesite.org
A health guidance site for young adults, offering factsheets and information on aspects of health that concern young people. It includes basic information about mental health, as well as advice and discussion forums
Telephone: 020 7226 8008
THE WHO CARES TRUST
www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk
Trust who work to improve public care for children and young people who are separated from their families and living in residential or foster care.
VOICE FOR THE CHILD IN CARE
www.voiceyp.org
VCC are committed to improving the lives of all children and young people in the care system.
Telephone: 020 7833 5792
YOUNG MINDS
www.youngminds.org.uk
A national charity committed to improving the mental health of all children and young people under 25.
Telephone: 020 7336 8445
YOUNG CARERS
www.youngcarers.net
Dedicated towards Young Carers who are children looking after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, a mental health problem or a substance misuse problem. Taking on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities normally expected of an adult.
Telephone: (0844) 800 4361
Fax: (0844) 800 4362
YOUTH 2 YOUTH
www.youth2youth.co.uk
Youth2Youth (Y2Y) is a unique helpline service. The reason it is unique is that the helpline is run by young people for young people.
Where you can find
other useful information
The Children’s Legal Centre
www.childrenslegalcentre.com
- has a useful website that contains lots of legal information
Children’s Commissioner
www.11million.org.uk
In July 2005 Professor Al Aynsley Green started work as England’s first Children’s Commissioner. His job is to let everyone know children’s and young people’s views and rights. He can carry out independent enquiries.
National Children’s Rights Director, Ofsted
Roger Morgan
www.ofsted.gov.uk
MIND Legal Advice Line: 0208 519 2122
www.mind.org.uk
MIND is a big mental health charity, their website also has specific legal advice on this link: MIND - Legal Pages
Childrens Rights Officers & Advocates (CROA)
Telephone: 01773 820100
Email: info@croa.org.uk
For complaints
The Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS)
www.dh.gov.uk
- is a free, confidential and independent service which can help you to make a formal complaint if you have been in an NHS hopsital (they cannot help you if you have been in a private unit) Call 0845 120 3784 and ask for your local office
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
www.pals.nhs.uk
If you are complaining about an NHS Trust, you may contact their Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). PALS provide information, advice and support to help patients, families and their carers use the health service.
You can contact them by asking the staff for the local PALS contact number or by phoning:
NHS Direct on 0845 46 47
Parlimentrary & Health Service Ombudsman
Telephone: 0345 015 4033
www.ombudsman.org.uk
For if you are still not happy with how your complaint has been dealt with.
Your unit should be able to give you:
Information about your
local Advocacy Service
(if there is one available)
Who is the appropriate
person to complain to.
(e.g. a Complaints Officer)
Who is the Mental Health Act Administrator
(if you are under section)
Created by Advocacy in Somerset - Registered Charity No. 1093096
Initially funded by the Childrens Rights
Alliance for England’s
Ready Steady Change Programme
Upgrade in 2008 funded by the National Institute for Mental Health in England
and the Department of Health
Copyright © Advocacy in Somerset Ltd 2009