Resources for children and young people, parents, carers and professionals

Here are some useful websites, helplines and apps for young people and the people who support them.

General support

Carers Trust
A network of local carer organisations that offer information, advice, practical support and/or care in the home to unpaid carers of all ages. Many of these have dedicated services for young carers and young adult carers.
Hope Again
A supportive online space for bereaved young people to learn from each other how to deal with grief. There is practical information on grief, peer stories, coping tips and resources, plus connection to Cruse Bereavement Support.
Family Lives
Free intervention and crisis support for families. If you need to talk, Family Lives is there to listen. You can call for free or use their online chat.
Family Line
A free helpline for anyone aged 18 or over. It offers support for families to prevent challenges from reaching crisis point via text, phone, webchat or email. Lines are open from Monday to Friday, 9h-19h.
Parent Talk
Find answers to parenting questions in the online advice articles, or talk to a parenting coach about anything that’s worrying you. It’s all free, and no topic is too big, small, or embarrassing.

Talk to Frank
Everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law. Talk to Frank for facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol today.
Anna Freud
Advice for parents and carers supporting a child experiencing poor mental health or wellbeing.

Brook
Free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing advice.
Mermaids
Support for trans, non-binary and gender diverse young people, as well as their families, and professionals.
Barnardos Positive Identities - Gender Space
Support for LGBTQ+ young people and their families. The support is primarily online, and is a mixture of one-to-one, group work and therapeutic support.

Childnet
Childnet offers information and advice to help children and young people stay safe online. It also has guidance for parents, carers, teachers and other professionals.
CEOP
CEOP Safety Centre helps young people stay safe online. You can report sexual abuse, grooming or harmful contact, and receive expert advice and support.

Shelter
A specialist charity that offers free advice, support and legal help to anyone struggling with housing problems - including homelessness, eviction, renting issues, deposits, repairs and benefits.
Liberty
Liberty is a human rights organisation that protects people’s rights and freedoms. It offers advice and legal support, and campaigns against injustice.
National Youth Advocacy Service
NYAS helps young people be heard, understand their rights, and get support through advocacy and guidance.
Just for Kids Law
Free legal advice, representation and advocacy for children and young people (typically 10–25) in London, who are facing contact with police or courts. It helps them uphold their rights and supports them through challenging legal situations.

Act Early
Free, confidential advice for anyone worried about someone vulnerable to radicalisation. Act Early helps families and communities access support before harm occurs.
Catch22
Catch22 supports young people involved in or at risk of criminal exploitation, gangs and county lines, through one-to-one support, diversion from crime and specialist interventions.
Barnardos
Advice, information and support for parents and carers concerned about child criminal exploitation. Barnardos helps families understand signs, keep children safe and access local services and specialist support.
Ivision Trust
Support for parents and carers of children who are, or are at risk of being, sexually or criminally exploited. Ivision offers confidential advice, emotional support, guidance, advocacy and training to help safeguard children and navigate systems.

The Children's Society
The Children’s Society works to protect and support children and young people, offering advice, services and advocacy to help them stay safe, improve wellbeing, and overcome challenges like poverty, abuse or neglect.
NACOA
Information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking.