If you need further support and advice, here are some links and phone numbers for organisations that might be able to help.
Click on a topic to start:
General help
Housing and accommodation
Family and safeguarding support (children in care, etc)
Pregnancy
Befriending services
General help
The Waiting Room
https://the-waitingroom.org/
A directory of health and wellbeing services in Birmingham and Solihull.
Housing and accommodation
(Homelessness, temporary accommodation, unsuitable accommodation, etc)
The Birmingham Gateway
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20006/housing/998/support_services
Support line: 0121 675 4249
Out of hours emergency line: 0121 303 2296
Birmingham Gateway can direct you to supported housing providers. Please note the Birmingham Gateway is not related to Gateway Family Services.
Shelter
https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help
Shelter West Midlands: 0344 515 1800
Shelter national Helpline: 0808 800 4444
Independent advice and legal support for housing issues including homelessness, rent/mortgage arrears, housing benefit, private renting problems.
Citizens Advice
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/
Advice line: 03444 77 1010 (Mon-Fri 09.30-16.30)
Free, independent, confidential and impartial advice about your rights and responsibilities, including all aspects of housing.
Family and safeguarding support
(Children being taken into care, social support for families, etc)
If you are pregnant and worried about your baby being taken into care, please speak to your midwife, who will refer you to a social worker at 20 weeks. If you need more general support, try your local children’s centre.
CASS – Children’s Advice & Support Service
http://www.lscbbirmingham.org.uk/index.php/safeguarding-concerns/cass
Part of Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board. Includes Early Help support, social worker contacts, etc.
BAAF Birmingham Adoption & Fostering
https://corambaaf.org.uk/fostering-adoption/information-birth-parents
Includes information for pregnant women who are worried about their child being taken into care, and parents of children who have been taken into care.
Gov.uk
https://www.gov.uk/if-your-child-is-taken-into-care/care-proceedings
Government information about what happens if your child is taken into care.
Family Lives
http://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/your-family/social-services-and-your-family/
Family Lives helpline (formerly known as Parentline): 0808 800 2222
Information, advice and guidance for families who are involved with Social Services.
Pregnancy
We no longer run the Pregnancy Outreach Workers Service (POWS).
POWS was decommissioned in 2016. If you are pregnant and worried about your baby being taken into care, please speak to your midwife, who will refer you to a social worker at 20 weeks. If you need more general support, please contact your local children’s centre.
Birmingham City Council: births
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20209/births
0121 675 1004, 0121 675 2904 and 0121 675 2902
To register the birth, get birth certificates, etc
Child Benefit
https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit
0300 200 3100
There is also an application form in your Bounty pack
Child Tax Credit
https://www.gov.uk/child-tax-credit
0345 300 3900
Not available for the third child
Healthy Start Vouchers
https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/
0345 607 6823
Free vouchers every week for those with children under 4 to spend on milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and infant formula milk. Check the website or phone to see if you qualify.
Temporary Housing
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/homeless
0121 303 7410
To update a housing application after the birth
BAAF Birmingham Adoption & Fostering
https://corambaaf.org.uk/fostering-adoption/information-birth-parents
Includes information for pregnant women who are worried about their child being taken into care.
Befriending services
(social help and support, help after hospital, etc)
Home From Hospital Care
http://www.home-from-hospital-care.org.uk/
0121 472 4499
Support for people who’ve been in hospital, including befriending services.
Age UK Birmingham
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/befriending-services/
0121 437 0033
Support for people over 50, including befriending services.
