Organisations that can help
There are many organisations that can provide practical advice and help on supporting your child. Please select on a topic below for a list of organisations that can help. The services and information that are offered vary from organisation to organisation, so it’s recommended you explore a few to find the one that works best for you and your family.
If you can’t find the information you are looking for or need further help, contact Hampshire Children’s Services:
Tel: 0300 555 1384
For emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life contact the Family Lives Parentline Plus helpline:
Tel: 0808 800 2222
If you need immediate help or have a real emergency, dial 999. For non-emergencies, you can contact the police on 101.
There are several local and national organisations who can support children and young people who are experiencing bereavement and loss.
Hampshire Domestic Abuse Partnership
Hampshire Domestic Abuse Partnership provides local domestic abuse support for victims and survivors of abuse, children living with domestic abuse, perpetrators of domestic abuse and professionals seeking advice.
Advice Line: 03300 165 112
National Domestic Violence Helpline
The Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge, is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf.
Tel: 0808 2000 247
The Men’s Advice Line
The Men’s Advice Line is for male victims of domestic abuse from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members). They offer confidential advice, non-judgmental support, practical information and help.
Tel: 0808 801 0327
Respect Phoneline
Confidential and anonymous, the Respect Phoneline is for anyone concerned about their violence and/or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner
Tel: 0808 802 4040
Rape Crisis
Rape Crisis Centres provide frontline specialist, independent and confidential services for women and girls who have experienced rape, sexual abuse or sexual assault.
The Rape Crisis website also provides information for partners, family, friends and other people who are supporting a survivor of sexual violence.
Tel: 0808 802 9999
The Hideout
Women’s Aid have created The Hideout to help children and young people understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action.
Early help services in Hampshire
Many families, at different times, will need extra support for a variety of reasons. Most of the time this can be met through everyday services such as schools, nursery, pre-schools or GPs, but sometimes families might need extra support through a more coordinated approach. Early Help brings different professionals together to work with the whole family to try and improve things for everyone.
The Family Support Service (FSS) supports and coordinates service providers that offer early help to Hampshire families with children and young people in need.
Hampshire early help is not a self-referral service. If you feel you would benefit from early help speak to a professional first (for example a teacher or family GP) or contact Hampshire Children’s Services:
Tel: 0300 555 1384
Read the early help leaflet for more information on how to get support.
Family Information and Services Hub (FISH)
The Family information and Services Hub (FISH), which includes Hampshire Local offer and Hampshire Gateway, provides information about what is going on in your area, details on how to access services, organisations and activities in Hampshire Advice and support is also provided.
Hampshire Local Offer is a directory of services and information to support families with children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Hampshire Gateway is for parents/carers of a child or young person who needs additional support to attend community activities, play schemes or leisure activities.
Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is an NHS specialist service for young people aged five to 18 years, and their families, who are experiencing difficulties with their mental and emotional health.
CAMHS has a help section for parents and carers on their website which lists some of the life issues or difficulties your child might be experiencing and top tips on how to manage these difficulties together as a family. This includes a specific guide on eating difficulties.
If, after accessing help and support, you feel your child is still experiencing difficulties and you’re not sure what to do next, you can make a referral to Hampshire Specialist CAMHS.
For serious concerns about your child’s eating difficulties, you can obtain advice from the CAHMH Specialist Eating Disorders Team:
Tel: 0300 3040062
Email: SPNT.HANTSCAMHSEDT@nhs.net
For more information, read the Hampshire CAMHS booklet, which explains what mental health is, who CAMHS are and how they can help.
Beat
Beat is the UK’s eating disorder charity, to end the pain and suffering cause by eating disorders. They provide information and support about eating disorders and help if you are suffering or supporting someone with an eating disorder. Beat also provide a free confidential helpline service and one-to-one webchat.
Helpline: 0808 801 0677
The helpline is open 365 days a year from 9am to midnight during the week, and 4pm to midnight on weekends and bank holidays.
talkEd
talkEd is a national charity providing information and support for anyone affected by any eating disorder or eating distress. The website provides a useful section on supporting someone with an eating disorder. talkEd also provide 1:1 support calls providing a safe space for your to ask questions and share your concerns. Their peer support team either have personal experience of recovery or have supported a loved one through recovery.
Elective home education
Parents or carers may decide to provide home-based education for their children, instead of sending them to school. This is called elective home education (EHE).
Hampshire County Council (HCC) recognises that home education is a key aspect of parental choice. EHE is equal, in law, to education provided in school. As the local authority, HCC has a duty to be satisfied that all children are receiving suitable education.
HCC is committed to supporting families who choose to home educate their child. See their elective home education page for guidance and support.
Exclusion
Exclusion from school can be a very upsetting, difficult and worrying time for you and your child. Hampshire County Council’s parent’s guide to the exclusions process explains:
- What you can do if you want to talk to the school about the exclusion.
- What you can do if you disagree with the exclusion.
- What you can do to prevent further exclusion.
- Where you can go for further advice and support.
Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is an NHS specialist service for young people aged five to 18 years, and their families, who are experiencing difficulties with their mental and emotional health.
CAMHS has a help section for parents and carers on their website which lists some of the life issues or difficulties your child might be experiencing and top tips on how to manage these difficulties together as a family. This includes a specific guide on mental health and mental illness.
If, after accessing help and support, you feel your child is still experiencing difficulties and you’re not sure what to do next, you can make a referral to Hampshire Specialist CAMHS.
For more information, read the Hampshire CAMHS booklet, which explains what mental health is, who CAMHS are and how they can help.
YoungMinds
YoungMinds are a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure all young people can get the mental health support they need when they need it.
YoungMinds provide lots of practical advice and tips on supporting your child – from how to encourage your child to open up about their feelings to dealing with mental health services. They offer three different services to parents and carers who are concerned about their child’s mental health. Find out more about their Parents Helpline, Webchat and Email service.
Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 from 9:30am – 4pm, Monday – Friday
Parent Zone
Parent Zone helps parents develop the right skills and understanding, so that their children can discover the possibilities and opportunities available to them online. They have useful parent guides apps and services you need to know, safety settings and advice for families and a parent area providing digital advice, activities and idea for parents and families.
Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council have several online safety resources providing advice for young people, parents/carers and school staff.
Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner provide useful information on staying safe while being social online, including websites offering advice on staying safe and the practical steps that can be taken to protect yourself and those you care about when using the internet.
Internet Matters
At Internet Matters, parents and professionals can find the most comprehensive and credible resources, information and support to keep children safe online. They provide advice on online issues, advice by age, setting controls, guides and resources and news and opinions, including parent stories.
NSPCC
The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity providing services to prevent abuse, help rebuild children’s lives and support families. They have a useful resource on keeping children safe online, which includes online safety guides for parents, as well as children and children with SEND.
Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
If you are worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with your child online, you can report it to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP).
CEOP is a law enforcement agency which exists to keep children and young people safe from sexual exploitation and abuse. If a child is being sexually abused or groomed online, they are there to help.
ThinkUknow
The CEOP Education Programme, ThinkUknow provides training, resources and information to help protect children and young people from online sexual abuse. It provides help and advice for specific age categories.
For parents and carers there is an information resource for keeping your child safe online. There is also advice on what to do if you have concerns for your child and how to report it.
Childnet
Childnet is a non-profit organisation working with others to help make the internet a great and safe place for children. It works directly with children and young people from the ages of three to 18, as well as parents, carers, teachers and professionals, finding out about their real experiences online, and the positive things they are doing.
Childnet’s help for parents and carers section provides support, guidance and advice on a wide range of online safety issues and topics.
Children’s Commissioner for England
The Children’s Commissioner has produced A Parent’s Guide on Talking to your child about online sexual harassment. This guidance is based on the voices of young people giving adults their tips on how to tackle the issues of sexualised bullying and the pressures of growing up online.
Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is an NHS specialist service for young people aged five to 18 years, and their families, who are experiencing difficulties with their mental and emotional health.
CAMHS has a help section for parents and carers on their website which lists some of the life issues or difficulties your child might be experiencing and top tips on how to manage these difficulties together as a family. This includes a specific guide on crisis, self-harm and suicide.
If, after accessing help and support, you feel your child is still experiencing difficulties and you’re not sure what to do next, you can make a referral to Hampshire Specialist CAMHS.
For more information, read the Hampshire CAMHS booklet, which explains what mental health is, who CAMHS are and how they can help.
Solent Mind
Solent Mind provide a Self-Harm Support Hub for Hampshire parents, carers and families of children and young people experiencing self-harm. They also offer weekly online Peer groups and Peer led awareness sessions.
LifeSIGNS – Self-Injury Guidance & Network Support
LifeSIGNS is a user-led small charity creating understanding about self-injury. While they would never tell anyone to ‘stop’, their mission is to guide people who hurt themselves towards new ways of coping.
LifeSIGNS also provides guidance for family, friends and loved ones of people who self-harm.
Harmless
Harmless is an organisation who works to address and overcome issues related to self-harm and suicide. They provide support for people who self-harm, family and friends, people in crisis and people bereaved by suicide.
PAPYRUS
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
As well as a confidential suicide prevention helpline, HOPELINEUK, they provide lots of help and advice for young people, parents/carers and professionals. Also see their parent’s guide for supporting your child.
HOPELINEUK:
Tel: 0800 068 4141
Text: 07860039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Opening hours: 9am to midnight every day of the year (including weekends and bank holidays).
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
If you are worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with your child online, you can report it to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP).
CEOP is a law enforcement agency which exists to keep children and young people safe from sexual exploitation and abuse. If a child is being sexually abused or groomed online, they are there to help.
ThinkUknow
The CEOP Education Programme, ThinkUknow provides training, resources and information to help protect children and young people from online sexual abuse. It provides help and advice for specific age categories.
For parents and carers there is an information resource for keeping your child safe online. There is also advice on what to do if you have concerns for your child and how to report it.
PACE – Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation
PACE is a leading specialist charity that brings the parent perspective to tackling child exploitation. They provide support to parents and carers of children who are being, or are at risk of being, exploited by perpetrators outside of the family.
If you are a parent with any concerns that your child is being sexually or criminally exploited or is at risk, please complete the parent support enquiry form and a member of the National Parent Support team will get in touch.