If you don’t live with your children

An independent, not-for-profit website, run by Law for Life: The Foundation for Public Legal Education, provides information on your rights and the law.

Cafcass looks after the interests of children in the family courts. It works with children and their families, then advises the court on what would be in the child’s best interest. The website has information for children, teenagers, parents and carers.

Provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues including benefits, debt, housing and consumer rights.

Child Law Advice is operated by Coram Children’s Legal Centre. Specialist advice and information on child, family and education law. Applicable only in England.

Can advise on eligibility for legal aid and signpost to local sources of help.

Information, advice and support services to help parents, and grandparents following parental separation.

Confidential advice for parents and other family members if social workers are involved in your child’s life, or you need extra support from children’s services. They also have a parental advocacy project.

Help to find your local court as well as information, court forms and guidance.

Use the website to find a solicitor in your area.

Association of family law solicitors, who adopt a non-confrontational approach to family problems.

They can provide a list of local members. The website has free information on issues such as splitting up, divorce and parenting apart.

Charity which provides advice, information and support on all issues related to international parental child abduction, prevention of abduction, international contact issues, and cases of permission to remove a child from the country.

The helpline offers free, confidential legal advice for women. Specialist areas include family law, divorce and relationship breakdown, child arrangement issues and domestic violence.

Gives details of local housing advice centres
throughout the country and provides information and advice on a range of housing issues.

Free information line for individuals, employers and organisations. The website includes information on same sex parenting rights, and local lesbian, gay bisexual and trans support groups and services.

Information about your options for arranging child maintenance, and making a family-based arrangement.

For questions about existing child support cases

For questions about new child maintenance cases.

Information on child benefit.

To claim welfare benefits including jobseekers allowance and employment and support allowance.

Benefit enquiries for disabled people and their carers.

Information on attendance allowance, and how to claim.

Information on personal independence payment, and how to claim.

Information on disability living allowance, and how to claim.

Information about tax credits.

Universal credit is a new benefit system that is replacing many of the current benefits and tax credits. It is available through Jobcentre Plus in certain areas for people who are making a new claim for benefits.

Provides information on family mediation and an online database of family mediators

Provides information on family mediation, and can give information on local mediation services.

Can answer general enquiries relating to mediation and put callers in touch with local not-for-profit mediation services.

Support for parents and carers of disabled children.

Advice, information, and a forum for dads.

Provides information and support on all aspects of parenting, including bullying.

Charity offering non-judgemental support and information to mothers who are apart from their children.

Confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic abuse. Provides emotional support and practical advice including how to make yourself safer, where to get legal advice, how domestic abuse affects children and information for gay and bisexual men.

The freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline is run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge. It is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence or their friends and families. A translation service is available.

Information and advice on all aspects of mental health including postnatal depression, common signs of different mental health problems, self-help tips, treatment and support.

Contact centres allow parents to see their children in a safe and comfortable place. Supervised and supported contact is available. They provide a neutral environment, usually with games and toys available for children.

Offers a range of services and provides support at all stages of relationships. Relate also provides a counselling service for children and young people.

Information for young people and children about mental health and emotional well-being. The parents’ helpline offers free confidential information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour, or mental health of a child or young person.