Useful Websites And Help Lines For Divorce And Separation In The Uk

Websites and Help Lines

Adoption

Devon County Council
Devon Social Services has a dedicated Adoption Unit with social workers based in Exeter, Barnstaple and Totnes. Further information on their website
www.devon.gov.uk

British association for adoption and fostering (BAAF)
BAAF work with everyone involved with adoption and fostering across the UK. They have regional and country offices in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, providing services to meet the needs of some of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.
www.baaf.org.uk

HMCS
Information about adoption for court users and legal professionals.
www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk

Every Child Matters
Information on adoption for practitioners working with children and families.
www.everychildmatters.gov.uk

Direct Gov
General information for the public and those unfamiliar with adoption and the adoption process
www.direct.gov.uk

Advice

Citizens Advice Bureaux
Advice on a range of issues including welfare benefits
www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Barnstaple - Phone 01271 388600
Exeter - Phone 01392 201210
Newton Abbot - Phone 01626 203141
Sidmouth - Phone 01395 579769
Torquay - Phone 01803 297799
Plymouth - Phone 01752 207088

Her Majesty's Courts Service
Responsible for managing the magistrates' courts, the Crown Court, county courts, the High Court and Court of Appeal in England and Wales. Has lots of forms and information to download including a Parental Responsibility Application for Step-parents
www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk

Relate
Counselling for couples.
www.exeteranddistrictrelate.org.uk

Exeter - Phone 01392 275681
Barnstaple - Phone 01271 345268
Torquay - Phone 01803 297854
Plymouth - Phone 01752 213131

Samaritans
Phone 0345 909 090
www.samaritans.org.uk

Who Cares?
Advice and support for those who have been or are in care.
Phone 0500 564 570
www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk

Benefits

Welfare Benefits Enquiry Line
Advice and information on benefits.
Phone (free) 0800 882 200

Inland Revenue Tax Credits
Phone 0845 300 3900
www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk

Children

Cafcass
Looks after the interests of children involved in family proceedings.
www.cafcass.gov.uk

Care Proceedings
The Community Legal Services have a very good readable guide for parents which outlines your legal position if social services are concerned about your child’s welfare and are considering care proceedings.
www.clsdirect.org.uk

The Children's Legal Centre
The Children's Legal Centre is a unique, independent national charity concerned with law and policy affecting children and young people.
http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com

Child Protection - Devon County Council
www.devon.gov.uk/child-protection

Child Support Agency
www.csa.gov.uk

Childline
Help and advice line for children.
Phone (free) 0800 1111 (24hrs a day)
www.childline.org.uk

Day Care Trust
Help in finding and choosing good quality childcare.
Phone 0171 739 2866
www.daycaretrust.org.uk

Devon Information on Services for Children
Out of school clubs, childminders, playgroups, pre-school, private day nurseries, activities, play, funding and much much more.
Phone (free) 0800 056 3666
www.devon.gov.uk/disc

Local Authority Social Services
Children and Families Teams, Local Offices

Exeter - Phone 01392 384444
Barnstaple - Phone 01271 388660
Torquay - Phone 01803 208500
Paignton - Phone 01803 20860
Honiton - Phone 01392 384500
Plymouth - Phone 01752 307329
Newton Abbot - Phone 01392 384900

NSPCC Helpline
Counselling, information and advice for anyone concerned about a child who may be at risk.
Phone (free) 0800 800 500
www.nspcc.org.uk

South West Adoption Network
A charity providing quality independent adoption support services throughout the South West of England.
Helpline 0845 601 2459
www.swan-adoption.org.uk

Youth Access
Help and advice for young people with local branches.
Phone 0208 772 9900

Domestic Abuse

South Devon Women’s Aid Outreach Project
Phone 01364 644088
www.exeterwomensaid.org.uk

Women's Refuge
www.refuge.org.uk

South Devon - Phone 01803 315154
Exeter - Phone 01392 667144
Plymouth - Phone 01752 562286

Devon & Cornwall Constabulary
www.devon-cornwall.police.uk

East Devon - Carol Need – 01392 262220
Mid Devon - Mandy Passmore or Lynn Kilmartin – 01392 262222
City of Exeter - Wendi Wallen – 01392 262221 or Lesley Valentine – 01392 262223
West Devon - Dawn McCormack – 07734331058
Newton Abbot (including Teignbridge and South Hams) - 01626 336552
Torbay - 01803 841469

Emergency - 999
Non-emergency number - 08452 777444

The BBC has an informative website for victims of Domestic Abuse www.bbc.co.uk

Debt

Consumer Credit Counselling Service
Provides one-to-one advice and help on managing and repaying debt.
Phone (free) 0800 138 1111

National Debtline
Provides a telephone service.
Phone (local call) 0845 950 0511
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

Insolvency Helpine
The UK’s first fully interactive online resource
www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk

Grandparents

The Grandparents Association
Dedicated to all grandparents' issues.
www.grandparents-association.org.uk

Fathers

OnlyDads
www.onlydads.org launched in May 2007 as an organisation for single fathers around the world. It offers members advice, a forum for making contact, a number of benefits like discounted holidays and clothes purchases, and free legal and financial advice. www.onlydads.org

Jewish Parents

JUMP
Campaigning for improved relationships between divorced parents and their children in the Jewish community, as well as nationally and internationally. www.jump-parenting.org.uk

Mothers apart from their children

MATCH (Mothers Apart from Their Children)
Match offer non-judgemental emotional support to mothers all over the world who are apart from their child for one or many complex reasons.

Mediation

Devon Family Solutions Ltd
Phone 01392 454940
http://www.devonfamilysolutions.co.uk/

Parents

Relationship breakdown and your children
Information for parents from the government website - includes a helpful
guide 'putting your children first' to download
www.direct.gov.uk

Parentline Plus
Support and information for parents.
Phone (free) 0808 800 2222
www.parentlineplus.org.uk

Parentalk Advice and information for parents.
Phone 020 7450 9072/3
www.parentalk.co.uk

Gingerbread Advice Line
Advice for one parent families.
Phone (free) 0800 018 4318
www.gingerbread.org.uk

National Council for One Parent Families
National campaigning group for one parent families.
Phone (free) 0800 018 5026
www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk

New Deal for Lone Parents Hotline
Advice on new government scheme to help single parents back into work.
Phone (free) 0800 868 868

Pensions

Department for work and pensions
www.direct.gov.uk

Rape

Rape Crisis Line

Exeter - Phone 01392 430871
Plymouth - Phone 01752 223584

Professional Rules and Regulations

The Law Society

The Law Society represents solicitors in England and Wales. From negotiating with and lobbying the profession's regulators, government and others, to offering training and advice, we're here to help, protect and promote solicitors across England and Wales. For information about our professional rules use the link below.

www.guide-online.lawsociety.org.uk

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

The SRA regulates more than 100,000 solicitors in England and Wales. Their purpose is to protect the public

by ensuring that solicitors meet high standards
by acting when risks are identified

www.sra.org.uk

Other Divorce Related Websites

Your Child Your Divorce - The Complete Parent's Guide to Children and Divorce
Divorce Links - Divorce & Marriage Support Links
Canada Divorce Advice
Sites for Parents - Hundreds of websites rated by popularity
Sassypinkpeppers.com - A nationwide, social and professional networking group for the unique needs of divorced and separated women.
Divorce.net - First in divorce on-line.
Woman's Divorce - Helping women survive divorce and rebuild their lives.
Divorce Room - Discussion and personal stories about adjusting to an impending divorce, dealing with children's issues, and getting along with an ex-partner.