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Court service
Her Majesty’s Courts Service (HMCS) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Our remit is to deliver justice effectively and efficiently to the public. We are responsible for managing the magistrates’ courts, the Crown Court, county courts, the High Court and Court of Appeal in England and Wales.
The Department for Education
The Department for Education was formed on 12 May 2010 and is responsible for education and children's services. All statutory guidance and legislation linked to from this site continues to reflect the current legal position unless indicated otherwise, but may not reflect Government policy.
Relate – advice about relationship difficulties
Relate is working to promote health, respect and justice in couple and family relationships. As the country’s largest provider of relationship support, every year we help 150,000 people of all ages at a national network of 77 Centres working at 600 locations as well as by phone, online and via SMS text. Our services include relationship counselling for individuals and couples; family counselling; counselling for children and young people; and sex therapy. We also provide friendly and informal workshops for people at important life stages.
Relate campaigns to see relationship support for children, adults and families at the heart of the social justice agenda. We are also the lead agency of the Kids in the Middle coalition, a group of national charities and agony aunts campaigning for better services for separating parents and their children.
Womens Aid
Women's Aid is the national domestic violence charity that helps up to 250,000 women and children every year. We work to end violence against women and children, and support over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the country
Men's Advice Line
The Men's Advice Line is a confidential helpline for all men experiencing domestic violence by a current or ex-partner. This includes all men - in heterosexual or same-sex relationships.
Refuge
Refuge is a charity for those suffering at the hands of domestic violence and is governed by a council of management consisting of a chair and eleven members. The council of management meets quarterly and exercises its management functions through a system of delegated authority. Members are professional individuals skilled in management and community care, property management, finance, health and safety, equal opportunities, marketing and the law.
Housing and homelessness advice
Shelter is a charity that works to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing.
Resolution
Resolution (formerly known as the Solicitors Family Law Association)
is an association of family solicitors committed to promoting a non-confrontational approach to conflict resolution.
Parenting plans
This publication looks at the issues parents and relatives need to consider when making contact arrangements after a parental separation, and it offers advice on family relationships, supporting the children, and what to do when they are finding it difficult to agree.
Parentline Plus
Parentline Plus is a national charity that works for, and with, parents. In the UK there are over 24 million people who parent – it’s not just mums and dads who do it. Parentline Plus works to offer help and support through an innovative range of free, flexible, responsive services - shaped by parents for parents.
Families Need Fathers
Families Need Fathers seeks to obtain, for the children, the best possible blend of both parents in the lives of children; enough for the children to realise that both parents are fully involved in their lives. Legally, parents should be of equal status. Families Need Fathers is firstly a social care organisation, helping parents whose children's relationship with them is under threat. We offer information, advice and support services for parents on how to do the best for their children. We are the only organisation that provides these services on a national basis.
Child Contact Centres
NACCC is the supporting membership body for around 325 child contact centres and services located throughout England (including the Channel Isles), Wales and Northern Ireland. It is the largest in Europe.
Child contact centres and services are neutral places where children of separated families can enjoy contact with their non-resident parents and sometimes other family members, in a comfortable and safe environment. Over four thousand volunteers and staff work in these centres and over seventeen thousand children use them each year. They are run by a variety of independent organisations that form the membership of NACCC, along with affiliated members such as family lawyers, CAFCASS, CAFCSS CYMRU and the judiciary.
Childline
ChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people.
It's Not Your Fault
Practical advice for children, young people and parents who are going through the process of separation.
Help and advice about children
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) in was founded in 1889. The NSPCC is inspired by a belief that we can make a difference for all children – by standing up for their rights, by listening to them, by helping them when they need us and by making them safe. Our vision is ending cruelty to children in the UK. We believe cruelty is preventable and that through having an inspirational vision we will achieve much greater success for children.
CLS Direct
Community Legal Advice is a free and confidential advice service paid for by legal aid.
Community legal services and public funding (legal aid)
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) works in partnership with solicitors and not-for-profit organisations to help over 2 million people each year access legal advice, information and help.
Citizens advice bureau
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice, and by influencing policy makers.