Adoption	The County Council operates a comprehensive service for children and adults affected by adoption. We need applications from people of all backgrounds, who wish to adopt.
Fostering	Foster families look after children on behalf of Leicestershire County Council. Children who cannot live with their own families may need to live with foster carers for a few days, a few weeks or for the whole of their childhood.

Antenatal Advice	The BBC have provided some useful information about antenatal care and tries to answer some of your key questions.
Leicestershire and Rutland NHS	The Leicestershire and Rutland NHS website gives you a guide to local health services, get the right treatment and help in finding your local health service.
BBC Parenting	Having a baby? Find out how antenatal care will help you during your pregnancy.
Baby Centre	Antenatal classes may come in various forms, but all have the same aim, to help prepare you for labour, birth and early parenthood
Breast Feeding	What could be more natural? Breastfeeding gives all babies all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life and helps protect them from infection. Visit the website for information on how breastfeeding helps your baby, how to breast feed and who can help you with breast feeding.
National Childbirth Trust (NCT)	The UK’s leading charity for parents. Every year they support thousands of parents through the incredible life changing experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.
Pregnancy and Counselling	The NHS website gives access to an interactive guide to having a baby, whether you are planning to have a baby, are already pregnant, or your new baby has just arrived, this interactive planner is for you.
Alcohol and Pregnancy	Facts about how alcohol can effect conceiving, pregnancy and your health. Information is available about talking to your midwife and visiting your GP.
BLAST	The BLAST directory is for young people aged 14+, teenage parents and young parents. It provides essential information, advice and support to young people in Leicestershire. It gives details of the sexual health services that young people in Leicestershire can go to for advice and information on issues like contraception and your choices and relationships.
Registering a Birth	Contact the Leicestershire Registration Service to register a birth, death, or obtain a copy of birth certificates.
Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society	SANDS is a national UK charity providing support for bereaved parents and their families. It offers support if your baby dies, during pregnancy or after birth. They realise that it can be hard to take in information, to make decisions or to imagine how you are going to cope.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome	The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) is the UK's leading baby charity working to prevent sudden deaths and promote health. FSID funds research, supports bereaved families and promotes safe baby care advice.
Parent Line Plus	Provides parents with parenting advice and guidance on a wide range of parenting issues.
Cry-sis	Cry-sis is a well-respected, national charity. It provides self-help and support to families with excessively crying, sleepless and demanding babies. A Telephone helpline (0845 1228 669) is available to callers every day of the year between 9.00am and 10.00pm. Callers are referred to a trained volunteer member of Cry-sis who has had personal experience of crying or sleep problems within their own family.
Stop Smoking Help for Pregnant Women	Stopping smoking is not easy but it can be done. The QUIT website will give you practical guidance on how to quit.
Madeformums	Expert advice, information and support from trying for a baby through to pregnancy and from baby, to toddlerhood right through to caring for your school child.

Parent Line Plus	Got a teenager? Parentlineplus gives immediate help from volunteer parents. Parents and carers often need a listening ear and help through the problems they are facing. This is an online social networking website for parents of teenagers.
Young Minds	Any parent who is worried about their child’s mental health can call the helpline (0808 802 5544) for information and advice.
Centre for Fun and Families	Aims to assist parents and carers experiencing behaviour or communication difficulties with children or young people. Parenting programme groups / sessions are free to parents and parents are able to self refer. Also works with young people experiencing problems in relationships with adults. Centre also produces booklets, videos audio tapes for parents. Much of the material is available in Gujarati and some is available in Welsh, Bengali, Urdu and Punjabi.
Family Steps	Find out how to access the Family Steps Service - and what service each of the teams in Family Steps provides
Parent Line Plus	We’re here because parents are the most important person in a child’s life. We know that family life can be challenging and difficult for parents. We support parents, so that they can do their best.
Dads Space	Aimed at dads to engage their interest in parenting skills and information. They provide interactive resources that boost fathers’ knowledge and their confidence in being a dad. Dads Space is a social networking website where fathers who are separated from their children can build and enhance their relationship.

Center for Young Women's Health	A guide for teens - dealing with divorce or separation can be really hard to get used to. This guide was written to answer the most common questions teenagers have about coping.
Community Legal Advice	Your rights if your marriage or civil partnership breaks down. Downloadable information and factsheet available.
Relate	Offers counselling for couples facing separation or divorce and information sessions to help parents manage the effect on children. Many centres also provide counselling for children affected by divorce.
National Family Mediation	Provides details of local mediation services to help couples resolve practical difficulties with minimum conflict.
Advice Now	Details of resources to enable you to work out your next steps after a separation and understand what family mediation is and how it can help.
Citizens Advice Bureau	For advice on money, housing and legal issues.

Domestic Violence	Provides information if you need to talk to someone about a violent or abusive relationship, or if you need advice or practical assistance.
Domestic Violence Helpline	If you are concerned about violence in your home you can call 0116 255 0004 for confidential support - Monday to Thursday 7pm to 9pm.
Women’s Aid	The key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.

Home Start	Through a network of more than 15,000 trained volunteers we support thousands of parents who are struggling to cope. Our families need support for many reasons including post-natal illness, disability, bereavement, the illness of a parent or child or social isolation. Parents supporting other parents to cope.
Family and Parenting Institute	The Family and Parenting Institute produces a wide range of information (books, guides, factsheets, presentations from our conferences, survey results and web pages) for parents, practitioners and the general public.
Healthy Start Voucher Scheme	With Healthy Start, you can get free vouchers every week which you can swap for milk, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and infant formula milk. You can also get free vitamins. Healthy Start replaces the Welfare Food Scheme.
Parent Line Plus	We’re here because parents are the most important person in a child’s life. We know that family life can be challenging and difficult for parents. We support parents, so that you can do your best.
Children Centres	Offer access to a wide range of services and activities to improve outcomes for children aged 0-5 years and their families.
Macmillan Cancer Support	Macmillan Cancer Support and South Leicestershire Citizen's Advice Bureau are working in partnership to offer free confidential advice for people affected by cancer, their families and carers. They can help with issues such as benefits, employment, debts and housing

Grandparents Association	A grandparent’s website dedicated to all grandparents' issues. We offer a newsletter, factsheets and advice line.
Grandparents Plus	Grandparents Plus, a national charity, promotes the vital role of grandparents and the extended family in children’s lives, particularly where parents are no longer able to care for their children.

Lone Parents	If you are bringing up a child as a lone parent you may be entitled to some financial help
One Parent Families	Gingerbread is the leading national charity working to help 1.9 million lone parents and their children in the UK.
Lone Parent Helpline	The UK’s free independent helpline for lone parents and anyone affected by the issues surrounding one parent families. Tel: 0800 018 5026 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm and Wednesday 9am – 8pm
Job Centre Plus	Find out more about New Deal for Lone Parents. It’s  a voluntary programme specifically designed to help lone parents into work. Local Job Centre Plus offices: Coalville - Crown House, Whitwick Road, Coalville LE67 3FB - Tel: 01530 503 800 Hinckley - Bosworth House, 46 New Buildings, Hinckley LE10 1HW - Tel: 01455 542 000 Leicester -  2a New Walk, Leicester LE1 3JD - Tel: 0116 206 8200 Market Harborough - 8 Coventry Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9BZ - Tel: 01858 473 900 Melton Mowbray - Crown House, 50-52 Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray. LE13 1JA - Tel: 01664 534 200 Loughborough - South Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3EG - Tel 01509 831 004

National Family Mediation	A network of local not-for-profit family mediation services which offer help to couples, married or unmarried or who are in the process of separation or divorce.
Relate	Offers counselling for couples facing separation or divorce and information sessions to help parents manage the effect on children. Many centres also provide counselling for children affected by divorce.

Centre for Fun and Families	Committed to promoting the welfare of families by supporting families experiencing behaviour and communication difficulties, a range of programmes is available free of charge. People can self refer.
Children Centres	Offer access to a wide range of services and activities to improve outcomes for children aged 0-5 years and their families.

Direct Government	There are already many different social services available from Leicestershire County Council, but for more information on these services go to Direct Gov.
Support for Children and Young People	Provides social care and support for people. We also have a legal duty to protect people, including children and young people from harm, neglect or abuse. People may need social care or support during a crisis, because of their age, long term ill health or disability, or because they are caring for others. This website gives information about the services we provide directly or through other (partner) agencies.
Local Social Care Offices in Leicestershire	You should contact your local Social Care Office - children's services if you are concerned about the welfare of ay child or adult:

Prisoners' Families Helpline	National helpline offering information and support to anyone with a relative or friend in prison. Tel: 0808 808 2003. Downloadable information sheets are available on a range of issues affecting prisoners’ families.
Action for Prisoners' Families	An umbrella organisation working for prisoner families. Tel: 0208 812 3600.
The Prison Service	Details of all prisons in the UK, with addresses, booking line information and visiting times.
Assisted Prison Visits Scheme	Help for families on certain benefits with transport costs to visit a close relative or person in prison. Telephone Helpline 0845 300 1423.
Affect	Support for the families of those accused of serious offences. Telephone Helpline – 01329 832 254 / 0143 583 264.
Ormiston Children and Families Trust	Various downloadable resources - including My Mum / Dad’s in Prison packs and Guide for Schools: Working with Children and Families of Prisoners.
PACT	Prison Advice and Care Trust is a charity which provides practical support to prisoners and their families.
Prison Visiting (Transport) Service	Offers transport for family and friends wishing to visit someone in prison.
Women in Prison	National free-call advice line for women in prison and ex offenders living in the community. Tel 0800 953 0125

Blast Directory	A directory for young people aged 14+. It provides details of sexual health services that young people in Leicestershire can go to, for advice and information on issues like relationships and contraception choices.
Talk to Someone in Confidence	Sex and Young People - Tel: 0800 282 930 Brooks Helpline - Tel: 0808 802 1234 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm NHS Direct - Tel: 0845 46 47 POP Project sites offer confidential help and information on lots of different things to do with sexual health and relationships. E-mail: pop@voluntaryactioncharnwood.org.uk Text: 0781 487 7859 The number enables young people to text for information about sexual health and relationships and for local services in Leicestershire. The service operates daily, from 8am to 9pm.
Contraception	Where to get advice and information: Beaumont Leys Health Centre Clinic, 1 Littlewood Close - 0116 295 8700 Under-25s Youth Clinic held Thursday 3.00 - 5.00pm The below numbers will be answered when the clinics are running - at other times use the central booking number 0116 295 1212 Coalville Clinic -01530 467442 Tues 6.15pm – 8.00pm (Appointments only) and Thurs 6.15pm – 8.00pm (Walk-in) Hinckley Clinic - 01455 441857 Monday 6.00pm – 8.00pm (Young person walk-in and all age appointments) Loughborough – 01509 564495 Monday 3.00pm – 5.00pm (Under 25s walk-in) 6.00pm – 8.00pm clinic (appointments only) Market Harborough –01858 410 240 Tues 7.00pm – 8.30pm (Young person walk-in and all age appointments) Melton Mowbray –01664 854819 Weds 5.30pm – 7.30pm (Appointments only) Oakham – Rutland Memorial Hospital - 01572 772070 Tues 6.00pm – 8.00pm (All age walk-in) Temporarily closed - contact central number for information on re-opening Or call into any school based clinic, GP surgery, Connexions centre or Youth service site. The Community Safer Sex Project - Free pregnancy testing and condom services are available across Youth Service bases, Upper Schools, Further Education Colleges, Young Parents groups and all year round at all Connexions Centres.
Pregnant Young Mothers Support	PYMS supports you if you are under 16 and either pregnant or a young mother. Contact Karen O’Jari on: 0116 239 3249 or 07966 111 019 Or Sarah on: 0116 239 1683 or 07966 111 013.
Learning Opportunities	The Parents Under 20 website provides information about learning opportunities for young parents.
Teenage Pregnancy	Call Teenage Pregnancy Midwives 07867 536 624 or 07973 860 213 Community Midwives Office city and County 0116 258 4834
Drop-Ins in the County	Call Cheryl Perry on 07973 860 213 to find out more.
Support for Young Families	For both Young mums and dads - the Youth Service run Young Parents Groups across the County.  To find out more contact: South Area - Braunstone, Broughton Astley, Countesthorpe, Enderby, Glenfield, Kibworth, Lutterworth, Market Harborough, Oadby, Wigston. Tel: 0116 282 4540 North Area - Birstall, Bottesford, Loughborough, Melton, Quorn, Shepshed, Thurmaston. Tel: 0116 267 0840 West Area - Ashby, Bosworth, Burbage, Castle Donnington, Coalville, Desford, Earl Shilton, Green Hill, Groby, Hinckley. Tel: 01530 836 879.