Useful Websites and Phone Numbers

A huge range of sites to browse through. You can find all sorts of parenting advice, discover if you can get help with paying for childcare, find information about jobseeking, get support with breastfeeding your baby and much much more:-


Children's Centres and related sites

 

Support for Parents

  • Mumsnet / netmums - Parenting tips, online chat and support from fellow parents (not just for Mums!)
  • www.dad.info - website specifically aimed at dads
  • NCT - for information and support for pregnancy, birth and early years parenting call the NCT Helpline on 0300 330 0700 or visit www.nct.org.uk
  • On your own? For information and advice call the free Gingerbread helpline on 0808 802 0925 or log on to www.gingerbread.org.uk. There is also advice and help for single-parent families at www.separatedfamilies.info
  • Adults can't put plasters on children's cuts!  Egg boxes are banned in craft lessons as they might cause salmonella! Myth or reality? To find out, visit HSE's myth of the month website.

 

For parents of children with disabilities or additional needs

  • HAND News - eNewsletter for the parents and carers of children with additional needs and disabilities
  • Contact a Family - supports families who care for children with any disability.
  • Change - a website run by people with learning disabilities working for equal rights


Breastfeeding Support

  • Supporterline is run by BfN Registered Breastfeeding Supporters. Supporters are mums, who have breastfed their own babies and who have received intensive training in breastfeeding. They work on a voluntary basis and are based in their own homes.
  • Supporterline in Bengali/Sylheti
  • The NCT has a lot of breastfeeding information and advice online at www.nct.org.uk/parenting/feeding. Telephone support from qualified breastfeeding counsellors is available between 8am–10pm every day of the year on 0300 330 0771.
  • The National Breastfeeding Helpline is a helpline run in collaboration with the Breastfeeding Network (BfN) and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM). The project is funded by the Department of Health, through the Section 64 grant scheme. Calls are diverted to the nearest ABM or BfN volunteer, meaning the 'National' helpline also has a very 'local' feel to it.

 

Health

  • Change 4 Life - Eat Well, Move More, Live Longer
  • Health in Pregnancy Grant - one-off payment available to mums-to-be
  • British Lung Foundation - Their helpline provides advice, information, support and guidance to anyone affected by a lung problem. The team is made up of Welfare Benefits Advisors, Respiratory Nurses, a Children's Respiratory Nurse and Parent Counsellors. The Children's Nurse provides general information and advice on the whole range of children's lung conditions, such as Asthma, persistent coughing, wheeziness and Bronchiolitis. Helpline is open Monday to Friday 10.00am to 6.00pm on 08458 50 50 20 and calls are charged at the local rate. Alternatively they can be contacted by email at enquiries@blf-uk.org.

 

Money / Work Advice

  • The County council's Money Advice Unit has recently produced a factsheet about help with utility costs, which covers heating, water, electric, etc... (other factsheets and leaflets on benefits available)
  • Do you have rent or mortgage arrears or are you facing eviction or repossession? Shelter Children's Service may be able to offer advice.
  • For information on your tax credit entitlements call the Tax Credits Helpline on 0845 300 3900 or visit their website www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk
  • For information on issues for working parents call Working Families on 020 7253 7243. Low income families should call the helpline on 0800 013 0313 or log on to www.workingfamilies.org.uk
  • The Government's digital website service Direct.gov.uk provides information to help jobseekers secure employment during the economic downturn. It provides a national database of job vacancies and provides information on workless and in-work benefits.
  • For information on workplace issues call the Know Your Rights Line on 0870 600 4882 or log on to www.tuc.org.uk.

 

Help with Paying for Childcare

  • Free childcare for training and learning for work - Leading learning and skills
  • www.payingforchildcare.org.uk- website which helps you understand the different types of financial support you may be able to receive to help you with the costs of your childcare.
  • If you are a lone parent you could get childcare or other support to help you get into work. Call Jobseeker Direct on 0845 6060 234 or visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk. Or ask you local Jobcentre Plus for more information.
  • If you get Working Tax Credit - financial help for people working but on a low or middle income - you might be able to get help with paying for childcare. Contact the tax credit hotline on 0845 300 3900 or visit their website at www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk.
  • If you are a student (under 19) you might get help paying for childcare. Find out more from the CaretoLearn helpline 0845 600 2809 or visit www.dfes.gov.uk/caretolearn.
  • Some employers help their employees with childcare costs. Find out more about how employers can help from Working Families on 0800 013 0313. Low and middle income families can call the helpline on 0207 253 4664 or visit www.workingfamilies.org.uk. You can order fact sheets by calling 0207 490 2414.

 

Preschools, Nurseries and Childcare

  • National Day Nursery Association - for a list of members and finding out the right questions to ask when choosing a nursery call 0870 774 4244 or log on to www.ndna.org.uk.
  • Employing a nanny? Call the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses on 01332 372 337 or log on to www.pat.org.uk.
  • For further information on choosing a childminder or nanny and drawing up a contract call 0800 169 4486 or log on to www.ncma.org.uk.
  • For serious complaints and/or concerns about any registered childcare provision call Ofsted on 0845 601 4772 or log on to www.ofsted.gov.uk.