Contacts and resources

Numbers and opening hours were correct at the time of writing. Services sometimes change, so check the website too.

Parenting after separation

• CafcassCafcass. The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, which advises the family court on children's welfare in England. Cafcass Cymru does the same in Wales. Information for separated parents, including the Planning Together parenting planParenting plan. A written, non-binding agreement between parents about arrangements for their child.. cafcass.gov.uk. Cafcass Cymru in Wales: gov.wales/cafcass-cymru
• GOV.UK: Making child arrangements Guidance on agreeing arrangements and applying to court. gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce
• Family Mediation Council Find an accredited mediator and check the voucher scheme. familymediationcouncil.org.uk
• NACCCNational Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC). The organisation that accredits child contact services and helps families find a suitable centre or service. Find an accredited child contact centreChild contact centre. A safe, neutral place for children to spend time with a parent or for handovers to take place.. naccc.org.uk
• Families Need Fathers Peer support groups and information for separated parents. fnf.org.uk

Money and maintenance

• Child Maintenance Options Free, impartial help with child maintenance choices. gov.uk/making-child-maintenance-arrangement
• Child Maintenance ServiceChild Maintenance Service (CMS). The government service that calculates and, if needed, collects child maintenance. gov.uk/child-maintenance-service
• Citizens Advice citizensadvice.org.uk
• StepChange Free debt advice. stepchange.org

Legal advice

• Civil Legal Advice Checks eligibility for legal aid: 0345 345 4345. gov.uk/check-legal-aid
• Advicenow Plain English guides for people dealing with separation and the family court. advicenow.org.uk
• Law Society Find a Solicitor Look for experience in family law. solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk

If you are affected by domestic abuse

• ManKind Initiative Helpline for male victims of domestic abuse: 0808 800 1170 (weekdays, 10am to 4pm). mankind.org.uk
• Men's Advice Line For male victims and those supporting them: 0808 801 0327 (weekdays, 10am to 5pm). mensadviceline.org.uk
• Respect Phoneline For anyone worried about their own behaviour towards a partner or family: 0808 802 4040. respectphoneline.org.uk

Wellbeing and crisis support

• NHS 111 Urgent mental health support in England, any time. Call 111 and choose the mental health option.
• CALM Helpline for anyone having suicidal thoughts: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight). thecalmzone.net
• Samaritans Someone to listen, free, any time: 116 123. samaritans.org
• Andy's Man Club Free weekly peer support groups for men. andysmanclub.co.uk
• NHS Talking Therapies Self-refer in most areas: search "NHS Talking Therapies" and your area.
• Your GP For anything affecting your sleep, mood, eating or drinking.

Concerns about a child

• NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000. nspcc.org.uk
• Childline For children and young people: 0800 1111. childline.org.uk
• Police 999 in an emergency, 101 otherwise.

None of these services can sort out your separation for you. What they can do is make sure you are not carrying it on your own.