Useful Links

Legal Services Commission CLS Direct

Telephone: 0845 345 4 345

UK College of Family Mediators

Telephone: 0117 904 7223

National Family Mediation

Telephone: 01392 271 610

Useful Links by Subject

General Advice:

For general advice on family matters: www.advicenow.org.uk
To find help in Lancashire for children, young people and families go to www.help4me.info
The Citizen’s Advice Service can help people to solve their legal, money and other problems: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Are Your Parents Splitting Up?

If so, this website may help you to understand and feel a bit better: www.itsnotyourfault.org/nchmediation
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000

Children; Residence, Contact and Maintenance:

Contact with Children: http://www.advicenow.org.uk/go/feature/feature_127.html
The National Association of Child Contact Centres at www.naccc.org.uk provides details of contact centres throughout the UK. Child contact centres are places where children of separated families can spend time with one or both parents or sometimes other family members.
CAFCASS provides information for children and parents involved in family disputes. For information go to www.cafcass.gov.uk.
Information on Residence Orders: http://www.row.org.uk/pdfs/cro.pdf
The Child Support Agency (CSA) contributes towards the Department for Work and Pension objective of ensuring the best start for all children and ending child poverty by 2020. The Agency exists to ensure that, where an application for child maintenance has been made, parents who live apart contribute financially to the upkeep of their children: www.csa.gov.uk
How Child Maintenance is Calculated: http://www.csa.gov.uk/en/setup/how-maintenance-calculated.asp

Parenting Apart and Parental Responsibility:

Call theParentline Plus freephone 24 hour helpline on 0808 800 2222 or visit www.parentlineplus.org.uk for help and info on all aspects of parenting, including handling divorce and separation.
Gingerbread and One Parent Families are to merge into one charity for single parent families: www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk

Parents Apart Leaflet: http://www.advicenow.org.uk/fileLibrary/pdf/parents_apart26.4.06FINAL.pdf
Parenting Plans help you to think of all the things you need to manage as a parent when you part. There is so much to sort out you may not think of all the things that are important to your children. Find out more about Parenting Plans by going to www.orderprocessor..co.uk or go to http://www.orderprocessor.co.uk/files/273033_NewParentBk.pdf to see an example of a Parenting Plan.
Frequently Asked Family Matters: http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/family/frequently_asked_questions_about_family_matters.htm
What is Parental Responsibility? http://www.advicenow.org.uk/go/livingtogether/feature_251.html
Families Need Fathers is a support and information organisation for fathers on 0870 7607496, helpline open 7pm-10pm, or visit www.fnf.org.uk
Families Need Fathers Guide to Parental Responsibility and How To Obtain It: http://www.fnf.org.uk/pro.htm
You can visit the Fathers Direct website on www.fathersdirect.com
Positive Parenting specialise in the support of parents and those who work with them. They produce resources, training, and the delivery of parenting support in the community: www.parenting.org.uk

Civil Partnerships:

Cohabitation:

Living Together: http://www.advicenow.org.uk/go/livingtogether/index.html
Introduction to your Rights if You Are Living Together: http://www.advicenow.org.uk/fileLibrary/pdf/myth_of_CLM-26.5.06-1.pdf
Legal Rights of Cohabitees: http://www.compactlaw.co.uk/free_legal_information/relationships/relatsf14.html
The Myth of the Common Law Spouse: http://www.advicenow.org.uk/fileLibrary/pdf/Flier_final.pdf
Ending a Relationship When You Are Living Together: http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/family/ending_a_relationship_when_you_re_living_together.htm#children_at_the_end_of_your_relationship
Cohabitation – a Change in the Law on the Horizon? http://www.advicenow.org.uk/go/livingtogether/feature_414.html
Shelter offers information to help you solve the housing issues which are likely to arise when if you are separating from your spouse, partner or civil partner. Your rights will differ depending on the kind of relationship you are in and whose name is on the tenancy agreement: www.shelter.org.uk

Legal Resources:

Mediation:

For information about Family Mediation and Other Forms of Mediation: www.adrnow.org.uk

Link to Advice Now Mediation Leaflet: http://www.advicenow.org.uk/fileLibrary/pdf/mediation-28.7.06final.pdf
For information about services in Scotland call Family Mediation Scotland on 0845 119 2020. Their website is www.familymediationscotland.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Mediation: http://www.thefma.co.uk/index.asp
Will Mediation Work For Me? Quiz: http://www.advicenow.org.uk/go/familymediation/package_70.html

Divorce:

Visit www.divorceaid.co.uk for in-depth legal, financial, practical and emotional information and links to sources of support.
Where to Start if You Are Considering a Divorce: http://www.advicenow.org.uk/fileLibrary/pdf/divorce_final_(revised_27.3.06).pdf
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce: http://www.resolution.org.uk/index.php?id=17&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=80&tx_ttnews[backPid]=8
The Grandparents’ Association was set up in 1987 by a group of grandparents whose grandchildren had been put into care, adopted or not allowed contact with them: www.grandparents-association.org.uk

Domestic Violence:

Domestic Violence – Your Legal Rights: http://www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-violence-survivors-handbook.asp?section=000100010008000100330001
Refuge and Women’s Aid: 0800 2000 247
Preston Women’s Refuge Helpline: 01772 201601