Websites

One of the best places to find information and support on family/parenting issues is on the Web. Just go to any Search Engine (e.g. Google, Yahoo, Alta Vista) and type in a few words on what you want to know about.

Here are a few links to other websites to get you started. These are listed in alphabetical order - not by importance. Please note that the value-base and content of these sites is not, necessarily, endorsed by Parents Advice Centre (PAC) ...

Adoption UK - supporting adoptive families before, during and after adoption.

Armagh Child Contact Centre - provides a meeting place where children from separated families can enjoy contact with one or both parents (and sometimes other family members) in a comfortable and safe environment.

Autism NI (PAPA) - seeks to ensure that people within the autistic spectrum and their carers have access to appropriate services, enabling people with autism to be valued members of their community.
Beat the Bully - advice, information and support to help children and young people to deal with bullying.

BBC - BBC website parenting pages providing information for parents of babies to parents of teens.

Childline - a free helpline for children and young people to talk about any problem.

Children Are Unbeatable! Alliance - campaigns for the UK to satisfy human rights obligations by modernising the law on assault to afford children the same protection as adults.

Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) - is the regional umbrella organisation for the children's sector in Northern Ireland. They provide training, information and support services to member organisations.

Children's Law Centre - increases public awareness and understanding of children's and young people's rights. They offer information, advice, training and research in this field.

Contact a Family - provides advice, information and support to the parents of disabled children - no matter what their disability or health condition.

Contact Youth - provides telephone and face-to-face counselling to young people aged 11-25 years.

Employers for Childcare - helps working parents to find childcare solutions by providing: practical help with choosing childcare; advice on juggling work and family life; savings on registered childcare costs using childcare vouchers.

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland - provides information and advice on issues of discrimination and equal opportunities.

Fathers Direct - provides news, training, information, policy updates, research summaries and guidelines for supporting fathers and their families.

Fostering Network Northern Ireland - provides: training courses for foster carers and fostering services; peer mentoring and advice for sons and daughters of foster carers; information and counselling services for anyone involved in fostering.

GamCare - provides support, advice and counselling to people affected by gambling problems.

Gingerbread NI - offers advice and support for lone parents in Northern Ireland.

Heads Away Just Say - offers mental health support to young people.

Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland - This is your gateway to Health & Social Care Services in Northern Ireland.

Health Promotion Agency - an independent organisation dedicated to protecting people's health in the United Kingdom.

Home-Start - provides practical, home-based support to parents who have at least one child under five years of age.

Kids' Allergies - tips and advice on treating children's allergies.

Kids' Development - information on kids' progress, behaviour, learning and thinking.

Learning Space - is a new educational toy store opened in Belfast city centre specialising in educational resources, providing an exciting range of toys, games, software, books. The resources are designed to be used either in educational settings or at home.

Mencap - offers information, support and a range of services for children, young people and adults with a learning disability, and their families and carers.

National Deaf Children's Society - provides support, information and advice for deaf children and young people, their families, and the professionals who work with them.

netmums.com - a UK-wide network for mothers which offers information and advice on what's happening in local areas.

ni4kids.com - an online resource for families in Northern Ireland. Offers ideas for fun things to do, as well as a directory of sources of help with family issues.

Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children - provides practical support to children and young people who have been diagnosed with cancer, and their families.

Northern Ireland Childminding Association - works to develop registered home-based childcare, and provides a range of services to support childminders, parents and children.

NICCY - website for the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, promoting and safeguarding the rights and interests of children and young people.

Parentlineplus - a national charity that work for, and with parents.

Samaritans - provides confidential, non-judgemental support, 24 hours a day, for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.

Tiny Life (formerly Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Action) - provides a range of support services for families who have experienced the birth of a baby that requires intensive or special care.

Women's Aid - advice, support and practical help for women and children facing domestic violence.

Your Family - positive ideas and advice for parents of young children.

Your Teenager - information and advice for parents on understanding their teenagers.