Parents and carers

Al-Anon Family Groups hold regular meetings where members share their own experience of living with alcoholism. Al-Anon does not offer advice or counselling, but members give each other understanding, strength and hope.

The law does not set a minimum age at which children can be left alone. However, it is an offence to leave a child alone when doing so puts him or her at risk. The NSPCC provides advice and support on this important issue.

Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.

Sands is an organisation which can offer you support if your baby dies during pregnancy or after birth.

A charity that has over three decades of experience in helping parents deal with the changes that are a constant part of family life.

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.

The law requires all children travelling in cars to use the correct child restraint until they are either 135 cm in height or the age of 12 (which ever they reach first). This website provides advice and facts about the use of Car Seat Safety.

Country-specific information on parental child abduction to assist parents who have had their children abducted overseas.

The NSPCC provide information and resources to keep your child safe.

There are many organisations and services who provide information, advice and support for children with disabilities and their families. There is more information on the Stoke-on-Trent Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Local Offer Website.

The Local Offer brings together information from education, health and social care about Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) in one place and covers children and young people from birth to 25 years.

The Asian Women’s Resource Centre is a specialist women’s organisation, providing support to BMER (Black, Minority, Ethnic, Refugee) women and children pan London.

Galop (formerly Broken Rainbow UK) is the leading national LGBT domestic violence charity providing support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT) communities impacted by domestic violence and abuse.

Refuge’s network of safe houses provides emergency accommodation for women and children when they are most in need.

Women’s Aid is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. They support a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK.

A confidential helpline for anyone in the UK concerned about drug use.

The Family Rights Group are the charity in England and Wales that advises families whose children are involved with or need children’s services because of welfare needs or concerns.

The FMU can tell you how to ask the court for a Forced Marriage Protection Order. Each order is unique, and is designed to protect you according to your individual circumstances. For example, the court may order someone to hand over your passport or reveal where you are. In an emergency, an order can be made to protect you immediately.

NHS Direct was created as a symbol of the new NHS, which set out to support the principles that the NHS was originally founded upon; that healthcare should be available for everyone who needs it, whenever they need it.

RoSPA are a registered charity and have been at the heart of accident prevention in the UK and around the world for almost 100 years.

Child Safety Week is the Child Accident Prevention Trust’s flagship annual community education campaign, raising awareness of serious childhood accidents and how to prevent them, without wrapping children in cotton wool.

Ofsted inspect and regulate services which care for children and young people, and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre is dedicated to eradicating the sexual abuse of children. That means we are part of UK policing and very much about tracking and bringing offenders to account either directly or in partnership with local and international forces.

Kidsmart is an award-winning practical internet safety programme website for schools, young people, parents, and agencies, produced by the children’s internet charity Childnet International.

Mind believes no one should have to face a mental health problem alone. We’ll listen, give you support and advice, and fight your corner. And we’ll push for a better deal and respect for everyone experiencing a mental health problem.

YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. Driven by their experiences we campaign, research and influence policy and practice.

We offer a lifeline for the 250,000 people who run away and go missing each year. For those left behind we provide specialised support to ease the heartache and confusion, and help search for their missing loved ones.

The NSPCC is inspired by a belief that we can make a difference for all children. That’s why we aim to end cruelty to children in the UK. Even if it takes many generations to realise it, we achieve much more for children by having this inspirational vision.

The MIND website explains postnatal depression and other perinatal mental health problems, including possible causes, treatments and support options. Also has information for friends and family, including support and advice for partners.

Private fostering is when another adult who is not a close relative is caring for someone else’s child under 16 (under 18, if disabled) for longer than 28 days. It is different to a formal foster placement arranged by social worker employed by Stoke-on-Trent Council. You must tell the council if you are privately fostering a child or young person by calling the Children's Advice and Duty Service on 01782 235100 Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6pm.

Gingerbread provides advice and practical support for single parents.

The force area includes one of the largest shire counties in England, covering more than 2,600 square kilometres or 1,000 square miles. It has a population of more than 1,000,000 and a rich diversity of communities, all with their own specific policing needs.