How to contact us for advice
We provide advice to parents, grandparents, relatives, friends and kinship carers who are involved with children’s services in England or need their help. We can help you understand processes and options when social workers or courts are making decisions about your child’s welfare.
Our advice service is free, independent and confidential.
To speak to an adviser, please call our free and confidential advice line 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm, excluding Bank Holidays). For Textphone dial 18001 followed by the advice line number. Or you can ask us a question via email using our advice enquiry form.
Our online advice forums are an anonymous space where parents and kinship carers (also known as family and friends carers) can get legal and practical advice, build a support network and learn from other people’s experiences.
Our get help and advice section describes the processes that you and your family are likely to go through, so that you know what to expect. Our webchat service can help you find the information and advice on our website which will help you understand the law and your rights.
Please note that Family Rights Group does not necessarily endorse the organisations listed and we are not responsible for the content of any external websites.
A separate dropdown containing additional links to services and organisations offering support and information to families in Wales only is available at the bottom of this page.
Wales
The Adoption and Fostering Association provide information, advice and best practice guidance to professionals and members of public who are seeking advice about adoption fostering and kinship care including special guardianship. Their advice service provides specific advice to those who are pregnant and considering adoption and LGBT+ focused advice for prospective adopters/foster carers.
Advice Line: 02920 761155
Website: https://www.afacymru.org.uk/advice-line/
Advicelink Cymru provide quality assured advice on welfare benefits, debt, employment, education, housing, immigration and discrimination. The service aims to help people access the right advice, at the right time and make it easier for them to access services again if they need further help—whether that’s about the same issue or something new. The advice line and Relay UK line are open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Advice Line: 0800 7022020
Relay UK line: (if you can’t hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say) 18001 then 08082 505 720
Website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/our-work/advice-partnerships/advicelink-cymru/
BAROD is a national service that provides information and support to adults and young people affected by drug or alcohol use – whether their own or someone elses. Their website hosts information about local services. They also offer online help via live chat.
Website: https://barod.cymru/
CAFCASS Cymru provide support to children and young people in family court proceedings. Their website provides lots of resources to young people about care proceedings, adoption, parents who are separating and a list of other key support services.
Website: https://gov.wales/cafcass-cymru
Children in Wales is the national umbrella organisation for those working with children and young people in Wales. A membership body; it collect and disseminate information about children and young people’s issues; offers policy services; organises training courses, events and conferences; co-ordinates campaigns and research projects; provide consultancy services and co-ordinates specialist forums and networks across Wales.
Website: https://www.childreninwales.org.uk
The Children’s Legal Centre Wales provide information for children and young people on a range of issues in English and Welsh. They have legal advice sheets for children and young people on topics including rights and protections, guidance for unaccompanied children seeking asylum, disabled children and contact following care proceedings.
Email: childrenslegalcentre@swansea.ac.uk
Website: https://childrenslegalcentre.wales
DYN Helpline provides support to men who are experiencing domestic abuse from a partner. They run a confidential listening service and helpline. The DYN website includes more information about those services as well as information on safety planning, accessing other organisations and local services and a legal FAQ section. The helpline telephone service is open Monday (10am – 4pm), Tuesday (10am – 4pm) and Wednesday (10am – 1pm).
Helpline: 0808 8010321
Email: support@dynwales.org
Website: www.dynwales.org
Live Fear Free provides national free support and information service for women, children and men in Wales who are experiencing or who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse. Open 24 hours.
Telephone: 0808 8010800
Website: http://livefearfree.gov.wales/
Meic provides information, advice and advocacy for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. Operates a phone, email, SMS text and instant messaging service. All services are open 8am to midnight, 7 days a week.
Confidential, anonymous, free helpline: 0808 8023456
Text: 84001
Website: https://www.meiccymru.org/
Voices from Care provide information and support to children and young people who have been in the care system. They offer a membership service that gives access to wellbeing support, counselling and help for care leavers who are moving into their own homes.
Website: https://vfcc.org.uk
WWA is the national umbrella organisation representing local Women’s Aid Groups situated across Wales. They provide 24 hour 7 days a week confidential advice and support by telephone, text, email and webchat. Support is available in English, Welsh and any other language. Queries may be passed on to WWA’s sister agency, the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline, for specialist support.
Telephone: 0808 8010800
Text: 07860 077333
Webchat: https://gov.wales/live-fear-free/contact-live-fear-free
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