Useful Contacts

Local Croydon groups?

• www.croydondeafchildren.org.uk
  Croydon Deaf Children's Society is a voluntary organisation run by parents and friends of deaf and hearing impaired children living in the boroughs of Croydon, Sutton, Reigate and Banstead, and the surrounding areas of South London.
  
• www.mindincroydon.org.uk
  A guide to mental health services in Croydon - includes 12 services for children and young people
  
• www.croydonmums.co.uk
  A website for the family
  
• www.carerscontactline.co.uk
  Contact line for carers in Croydon

Childcare sites

• www.childcarelink.gov.uk
  National childcare information website
  
• www.daycaretrust.org.uk
  Childcare options - where to find childcare and how to pay for it.
  
• www.ncma.org.uk
  National Childminding Association - information on choosing a childminder, support for childminders and drawing up contracts.
  
• www.dfes.gov.uk
  Department for Education and Skills (DFES) - organisation responsible for regulating childcare and education.
  
• www.ofsted.gov.uk
  The Office for Educational Standards (OFSTED) - regulate educational and childcare establishments.
  
• www.pre-school.org.uk
  Information on pre-school provision.
  
• www.raisingkids.co.uk
  Raising Kids - Website for parents covering child health, education, parenting, safety, travel and family finance.

Money and benefits

• www.dwp.gov.uk
  Department for Work and Pensions - support and advice to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people.
  
• www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk
  Working Child tax credits - Information and apply online for working and child tax credits, or call 0845 3003900 for an estimate of entitlement or 0800 500 222 for an information pack.
  
• www.dfes.gov.uk
  Department for Education and Skills - Information on help available to students who want to go into higher education.
  
• www.direct.gov.uk
  Child Benefits - Provides benefits to people bringing up children under 16 years and up to 19 years if studying full time.

Special needs sites

• www.familyfund.org.uk
  Family Fund - helps families caring for a severely disabled child by giving grants and services to complement what is available locally.
  
• www.scope.org.uk
  Scope - information and advice for people with cerebal palsy.
  
• www.mind.org.uk
  Understanding autistic spectrum disorder

Working parents

• www.workingfamilies.org.uk
  Working families - information for working parents.
  
• www.eoc.org.uk
  Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) - advice on parental rights and sex discrimination.
  
• www.maternityalliance.org.uk
  Maternity Alliance - information on maternity rights issues.
  
• www.fathersdirect.com
  Fathers Direct - the UK's national information centre for fatherhood.

Support for childcare providers and carers

• www.ndna.org.uk
  National Day Nurseries Association - support and advice for day nurseries nationally.
  
• www.4children.org.uk
  Information on out-of-school clubs and playschemes in your area.
  
• www.ncma.org.uk
  National Childminding Association - information on choosing a childminder, support for childminders and drawing up contracts.
  
• www.ncb.org.uk
  National Children's Bureau - aims to identify and promote the interest of all children - numerous publications including young children in group daycare.
  
• www.qca.org.uk
  Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) - responsible for developing the National Qualifications Framework of which NVQs are a part.
   
• www.surestart.gov.uk

Support for children and young people

• www.childline.org.uk
  Childline - the UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children in trouble or danger. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young people who may feel they have nowhere else to turn.

Lone parents

• www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk
  National Council for One Parent Families - information and advice for parents bringing up children on their own.
  
• www.gingerbread.org.uk
  Gingerbread - a registered charity maintained by lone parents offering support to lone parent families.
  
• www.loneparenthelpline.info
  Lone Parent Helpline - information and free publications on  key issues, including advice on benefits and money matters.

General information for parents

• www.childsplay.uk.net
  Information for parents and ideas and activities for their children.

Training

• www.dfes.gov.uk
  Department for Further Education and Skills - education, training and career information for young people, parents, students and adult learners.
  
• www.lsc.gov.uk
  Learning and Skills Council - advice on education and training for those over sixteen.
  
• www.learndirect.co.uk
  Learndirect - offers hundreds of courses at a time, place and pace to suit you and free advice.
  
• Further education in Croydon providing training in childcare
  A list of training providers

Employment

• www.cre.gov.uk
  Commission for Racial Equality - works towards the elimination of racial discrimination and promotes equality of opportunity.
  
• www.maternityalliance.org.uk
  Maternity Alliance - information on maternity rights issues.

Health

• www.doh.gov.uk
  Department of Health - produces circulars and guidance including choosing with care and a guide to the general food hygiene regulations.
  
• www.rospa.co.uk
  Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents - produces publications such as accident prevention in day care and home safety.
  
• www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com
  National Childbirth Trust - information and support on pregnancy, birth and early years parenting.

Bereavement

• www.sids.org.uk
  Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) - aims to prevent infant death and promote baby health.
  
• www.winstonswish.org.uk
  Winston's Wish - provides information, guidance and advice for bereaved children and young people.

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Saturday, 5 July, 2008

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