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Family
Support and advice, Family change (parental responsibility, stepparents), Rights, Domestic violence, Bereavement, Lone parents, Young parents, Adoption/fostering
Family relationships form a key part of our lives and research has shown that family and friends are 11–19 year olds’ major source of personal advice and guidance. But relationships have ups and downs and sometimes changes can occur which can be upsetting.
For some people family relationships are fine and cause no problems but for others they may cause a lot of worry and distress. This can be for many reasons, the loss of a parent, changes or maybe the introduction of a stepfamily.
Support and advice
There are people and organisations which can provide you with support and advice.
Connexions Somerset (click here for local centres). If you are 13 – 19 you can talk to Connexions about any concerns you have or ring the confidential helpline Connexions Direct tel: 080 800 13-2-19 text: 077664 13-2-19 www.connexions-direct.com
Childline 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk 24-hour helpline for children and young people in trouble or danger.
NCH www.itsnotyourfault.org - useful if you are worried about your parents splitting up.
Family Centres and Children's Centres offer a range of support which may include respite child care, young persons support workers, courses and young mums groups. Centres across Somerset. For addresses see Your Town/Area.
Social Services (Children's Social Care). Call 0845 345 9122 for support and advice. See Your Town/Area on this site for local offices.
Family change
Any change in a family brings new challenges. For example, a stepfamily can mean getting used to a new group of people, making changes and working out where you fit in. This isn’t always easy. And as with all relationships, it takes time.
Sometimes parental responsibility becomes an issue. Remember that:
Parentline Plus 0808 8002222 www.parentlineplus.org.uk - aimed at parents, but also contains information on being part of a stepfamily.
Rights
Children's Legal Centre www.childrenslegalcentre.com - provides legal advice and information for children, young people, parents and carers. Call 0800 783 2187
Domestic violence
You, or another member of your family, may be a victim of domestic violence in the home. This can take the form of mental, physical, emotional or sexual violence. If this is happening there are places that can help. These include:
Women's Aid www.womensaid.org.uk - for anyone who is experiencing (or has experienced) physical, emotional or sexual violence in the home. Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Avon and Somerset Police - domestic violence officers - 0845 456 7000
The Hideout - www.thehideout.org.uk - support for children and young people living with domestic violence
Bereavement
The death of a family member, or friend, can have a devastating effect and it can affect people in many different ways. Helpful organisations include:
Cruse Bereavement Care www.rd4u.org.uk (for young people under 18 affected by a death, helpline: 0808 808 1677) and www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk (for people over 18 affected by a death, helpline: 0844 477 9400)
Compassionate Friends www.tcf.org.uk - offers understanding, support and encouragement after the death of a child. Helpline: 0845 123 2304
Winstons Wish www.winstonswish.org.uk - helps bereaved children and young people rebuild their lives after a family death. Helpline: 0845 20 30 405
Lone parents
If you are a member of a lone parent family there may be particular issues and difficulties at home. There are organisations that can give advice about resolving some of these difficulties.
The main source of help is One Parent Families - www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk – helpline 0800 018 5026 (this has replaced Gingerbread that once provided this kind of help).
Young parents
It can be hard being a young parent with many feeling isolated. There are a number of young parent groups in Somerset that can help you. These provide a space to meet, try out new things and find the support to get back into education, training or employment.
Your midwife, or health visitor, should be able to tell you about local groups. Or you can contact your local youth or Connexions centre. See Your Town/Area on this site for addresses.
Relate Line 0845 130 40 10 www.relate.org.uk - counselling for individuals and couples on relationships.
Adoption/fostering
You may be a young parent, or prospective parent, who is considering giving up your child for adoption. Or you may have experienced your child being taken into care for fostering.
Maybe you are fostered or adopted yourself and want to know more details about your birth, adoption and birth family.
Lots of rules and regulations apply and you might need to be certain age to take things further (for example, at 18 an adopted person can apply for a certificate of their original birth registration from the General Register Office).
Organisations that can help include:
Talk Adoption www.afteradoption.org.uk - help for those under 26 who are adopted. Call: 0808 808 1234
Adoption UK www.adoptionuk.org - supports adoptive families before, during or after adoption. Help line: 0844 848 7900
General Records Office www.gro.gov.uk - maintains a record of adoptions made on the authority of courts in England and Wales. Tel: 0151 471 4755
Somerset County Council www.somerset.gov.uk - adoptions and fostering service 0800 587 9900. Also Social Services (Children's Social Care) - seeYour Town/Area for local offices
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