In the first instance it is always advisable to seek support through school. Your child’s teacher will always be more than happy to discuss any matters which you feel may impact on learning. Alternatively, you can speak to a member of the pastoral or senior leadership team who may be able to support you or make contact with support networks for you.
However, if you prefer not to contact school then the following support networks are available to parents and families:
There is information on :
- Bereavement
- General Support
- Bullying
- Health Issues
- Mental Health Issues
- Single Parents
- Relationship Issues
- Pregnancy Issues
- Drugs and Alcohol Issues
- Understanding CSE
General
Bristol City Council support for families:
www.bristol.gov.uk/page/children-and-young-people/support-parents-and-carers
Samaritans :
08457 909090
An organisation who offer support to individuals in distress.
Childline:
If you are unhappy about anything and would like to talk to someone please call 0800 11 11. There are people there all the time to listen to you.
Sure Start Children’s Centres:
Bristol Family Information Service – 0117 357 4192
www.bristol.gov.uk/page/children-and-young-people/childrens-centres
Children’s Centres are for children under five and their families, and offer a range of activities, play, information and support from professionals working in a wide range of fields.
Services vary, depending on the various needs of the local community. Many Children’s centres run activities especially for fathers and their children. Parents and carers are encouraged to join in and contribute to the life of the centre, helping to shape and steer its services.
Home Start:
Home-Start Bristol is an independent registered charity that supports struggling families, with at least one child under five, living in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Tel: 0117 9501170 or 9501197
Housing
Shelter:
Support for individuals and families at risk of being homeless.
Tel: 0808 800 4444
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice
Bristol City Council Housing:
www.bristol.gov.uk/page/housing
Tel: 0117 922 2200
Statutory Agency who can support families should you experience housing difficulties
Bereavement
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Services are free to bereaved people. The charity provides support and offers information, advice, education and training services.
www.cruse.org.uk
Tel: 0844 477 9400
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Winston’s Wish:
Winston’s Wish, the charity for bereaved children, helps young people re-adjust to life after the death of a parent or sibling. By providing professional assistance before, during and after bereavement they help them to better understand the nature of loss and offer the practical support and guidance that many need in order to cope throughout the grieving process.
www.winstonswish.org.uk
Tel: 08088 020 021
Bereavement UK
A valuable hub providing bereavement support and information for families.
Bereavement Counselling Directory
A comprehensive list of bereavement counselling services.
Bullying
Bullying UK:
Visit the bullying website for support and information.
www.bullying.co.uk
Kidscape:
Organisation which offers support to children and families concerned about bullying.
Mental Health
Young Minds:
Organisation that supports young people and families who may be worried about mental health issues.
www.youngminds.org.uk
Tel: 0808 802 5544
Emotional Health & Well-Being Directory:
This site provides a ‘one-stop’ directory for families and children seeking support with emotional health or well-being needs.
www.bristolccg.nhs.uk/your-health-local-services/help-and-support/young-peoples-emotional-health
MIND:
The National Association for Mental Health –
An association that supports individuals and families experiencing mental health problems.
www.mind.org.uk
Tel: 0300 123 3393
Text: 86463
Health
Self harm:
Internet site which supports individuals and families affected by self harming.
www.recoveryourlife.com
Alive N Kicking:
A weight management service for overweight children delivering programmes in schools, GP surgeries and leisure centres. The service is commission by Bristol City Council and involves working with children aged 2 – 16 to help them make healthy lifestyle choices and improve their weight.
www.ank.uk.com
Eating disorders
BEAT:
Site and helpline which support those affected by eating disorders.
www.b-eat.co.uk
Tel: 0845 634 1414
Youth Helpline: 0345 634 7650
Relationship Concerns
Relate:
Nationwide service for those needing support with relationship issues. This can mean couple counselling, individual counselling and family counselling. There are local counselling centres that can be accessed in the day or evenings.
www.relate.org.uk
Tel: 0300 100 1234
National Family Mediation:
An organisation helping families in conflict (especially those divorcing or separating).
Tel: 0300 4000 636
Family Lives:
Support for families of prisoners or offenders.
www.familylives.org.uk/about/our-services/action-for-prisoners-and-offenders-families
CAFCASS:
Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service –
Cafcass champions the interests of children involved in family proceedings, advising the family courts in England on what it considers to be in the best interests of individual children.
Tel: 0300 456 4000
Email: Telephoneenquiries@cafcass.gsi.gov.uk
NEXT LINK:
Next Link provide domestic abuse support services as well as women’s mental health support. Their domestic abuse telephone help lines are open 8:30am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday and 9:30am – 1:00pm on Saturday 0117 925 0680
Single Parents
Gingerbread:
An organisation that can provide expert advice, practical support and campaign for single parents.
www.gingerbread.org.uk
Tel: 0808 802 0925
Single Parent Travel Club:
An organisation which promotes interaction between single parent families via holidays.
www.sptc.org.uk
Lone-parents:
Internet site which supports one parent families
Pregnancy
National Childbirth Trust:
An agency whose purpose is to provide support and evidence-based information in pregnancy, birth and early days of parenthood.
www.nct.org.uk
Miscarriage Association:
A website and helpline to offer support to those having experienced a miscarriage.
www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Helpline: 01924 200799 (Mon-Fri, 9am – 4pm)
British Pregnancy Advisory Service:
BPAS is the leading provider of abortion services in the UK, with a national network of consultation centres and clinics.
www.bpas.org
Tel: 08457 30 40 30
Drugs & Alcohol Support
PADA:
Parents Against Drug Abuse –
Website and helpline to support parents who may be concerned their children are involved with drugs.
www.pada.merseyside.org
Tel: 08457 023867
FRANK:
Charity which supports children and families affected by drugs.
www.talktofrank.com
Tel: 0300 123 6600
Alcoholics Anonymous:
A national helpline which supports those having difficulties with or those who are addicted to alcohol.
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Tel: 0800 9177 650
Rehab4Addiction:
A free service available to people who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction.
Tel: 0800 140 4690
Understanding CSE
Avon and Somerset Police Parent Leaflet:
Follow the link below to access a useful leaflet about Child Sexual Exploitation produced by the police –
