Advice and support services

Family Information Direct

Are you a parent or do you have parental responsibility? Do you live a very busy life, having to juggle many competing priorities such as work - or looking for work - and bringing up your child?

Yes... then you are only too familiar with the strain today's living can put on you no matter how good at looking after your family you are. The Family Information Direct Programme has developed a range of national services to ensure you have access to the information, advice and guidance you need to support you in your parenting - whether you're a mother, father, grandparent, carer or anyone with caring responsibility for a child.

The services are designed to provide support and advice when you want it and in the format you would prefer - whether that's telephone helplines, services delivered online or via mobile phones. All of the Family Information Direct services are free (calls to 0800 and 0808 numbers are free from landlines; mobile rates vary).

If you're not sure which service you need or if you have any questions then you can always contact Salford Starting Life Well service on 0161 909 6508,  or email SLW@salford.gov.uk. There are useful parenting downloads at the bottom of the page too.

Services for all parents  

Family Lives Parentline - 0808 800 2222 - A free and confidential helpline run by professionally trained call takers - also parents. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Text phone 0800 783 6783.

 

The Couple Connection - A free self-help website for parents who want to change their relationship for the better. Part of the One Plus One group who also have the Married or Not website, which looks at the legal differences and the Parent Connection website.

Live Talk - An online instant messaging service, so that parents, particularly fathers, can engage easily with Relate's free relationship support services (Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm; Monday, Wednesday, Sunday from 7.00pm to 9.00pm).

Free SMS Service - Text a trained Relate consultant for free with a question about your family relationships, and receive texts back with support, advice, and information - whenever you need it. Text: 80800, and start each message with the word RELATE (Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm; Monday, Wednesday, Sunday from 7.00pm to 9.00pm).

ACE Advice Line - 0808 800 5793 - For free independent advice to all parents and carers of children educated in state schools (Monday to Friday, from 10.00am to 5.00pm). Key topics include education, exclusions, admissions, special educational needs and bullying. You can also ring the dedicated Exclusion advice line on 0808 800 0327 (Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 5.00pm).

Child Law Advice Line - 0808 802 0008 - Provides children, parents, carers and professionals with access to accurate legal advice regarding their rights and support services. Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

YoungMinds Parents Helpline - 0808 802 5544 - Free and confidential support for anyone worried about the emotional problems or behaviour of a child or young person. Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 4.00pm, Wednesday evenings from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. Calls from landlines and mobiles are free.

Expert help for mums

Netmums - Social network for mums (or dads) offering information on just about everything, including local places to go and what to cook for tea. Make local friends, chat with mums in the coffee house, or with the parent supporters when you have questions or are facing a challenge.

Services for dads

Dads Space - Virtual child contact centre which gives dads a way to stay in touch with their child when away from home, either separated from their partner, working abroad or working long hours.

 

Dad Talk - A website where all aspects of fatherhood are promoted, enabling fathers to share ideas through interactive forums, find information and learn about parenting (from the Family Matters Institute).

Services for lone parents

Single Parent Helpline - 0808 802 0925 - Expert information and advice for single parents on child maintenance, benefits, tax credits, education, employment, housing and arrangements with your child’s other parent. Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm, with extended opening hours on Wednesdays to 8.00pm.

One Space - Lively forums, interactive games, video clips, money advice and the latest news affecting single parents. Online support also available from parenting professionals (from the Single Parent Action Network).

Services for parents of disabled children

Contact a Family helpline - 0808 808 3555 - For advice, information and support on any aspect of raising a disabled child. Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 4.00pm, Monday evening from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Textphone 0808 808 3556.

Contact a Family online - Online support for parents and carers of disabled children, which encourages use of the web and social networking sites to access information and advice that supports them to look after their child.

Services for parents of teenagers

Got a teenager? - An online social networking site, which recreates the type of supportive 'school gate' community that parents really miss when their children go from primary to secondary school.

Services for grandparents

BeGrand.net - A website especially for grandparents where they can find information and support on everything from activities with grandchildren to legal rights. There's an online forum where grandparents can share expertise, knowledge and ideas. Online advisors can offer personal help with issues.

Who to contact

Name

Salford Family Information Service

Address

Children's Services
2nd Floor
Unity House
Swinton
Salford

M27 5AW
Map to this location

Telephone

0161 909 6508

Email

FIS@salford.gov.uk

Fax

0161 778 0509

This page was last updated on 15 November 2011