Private fostering
Information for children and young people
Support for children and young people who are privately fostered.
If you are being fostered by a family friend or relative, the following information is provided to help you. If you are concerned or worried about anything contact Angela Marsh, Duty Worker on 01384 815833 for a discussion, or to make a referral contact - Single Point of Access (SPA) on 0300 555 0050.
Dudley Council has a legal duty to ensure that any child or young person is in a suitable and safe private fostering arrangement. We will make regular visits to you in your private fostering home and provide advice and support where necessary.
Health
GP out-of-hours
Emergency Duty Team - 0300 555 8574
Teenage pregnancy team http://www.dudley.gov.uk/kids/teenage-pregnancy/
General NHS help http://www.nhs.uk
Help and advice
Victim support
Support for anyone who is affected by crime. Whether you have reported a crime or not, them will provide help.
http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
Child exploitation and online child protection centre
Protects children online against grooming and sexual abuse.
0870 000 3344 http://ceop.police.uk/
Dating abuse
Advice for people or friends of people in abusive relationships. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/506525/teen-abuse-leaflet.pdf
Advocacy services for children and young people
Mencap
Mencap is the voice of learning disability. 0808 808111 https://www.mencap.org.uk/
Children's Legal Centre
The Children’s Legal Centre is an independent national charity concerned with law and policy affecting children and young people.
Voice
Voice is a major children’s advocacy organisation www.voiceyp.org
Family Information Service
A useful guide to services and organisations that support children and young people, parents, carers and the people who work with them.
https://fis.dudley.gov.uk/fsd/PublicEnquiry/Default.aspx
Childline
www.childline.org.uk 0800 1111
Advocacy services for disabled children and young people
An advocate can support with choices such as money, being safe, where to live,
The Children’s Society
The Workspace, All Saints Road, Wolverhampton WV2 1EL 01902 877563
Black Country Advocacy Service provides independent, confidential services to children and young people who have a social worker.
Local services
Citizens advice bureau
Providing advice for people who have problems in their lives.
Contacts across Dudley borough:
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/community/community-advice/citizens-advice-bureau/West Midland Police
Local police station 0845 113 5000
Emergency ring 999
http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/
Ambulance Service 999
Fire Services 999
14 plus team
The Council House, Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge, DY8 2AA - 01384 813000 / 01384 813620 Drop-in centre 01384 813620
Local police services
http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/dudley/
Non emergencies - 101
Crimestoppers - 0800 555 111
Switchboard - 0345 113 5000
Information on private fostering
Contact Sarah Whitehouse 01384 815833 Email PrivateFostering@dudley.gov.uk
Dudley Council Plus
Provides a contact point to all departments of the council.
http://www.dudley.gov.uk 0300 555 2345
Brook
Provides free and confidential advice on sexual health for young people under 25.
31 Priory Street, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1HA
01384 239001 http://www.brook.org.uk/
Text service to speak to an advisor - 07717 989 023
Children’s centres
Contact for all children’s centres across Dudley borough http://childrenscentres.dudley.gov.uk/
Connexions - careers advice http://www.dudley.gov.uk/kids/connexions/
Job Centre Plus https://www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus Telephone: 0845 6060 234
Libraries www.dudley.gov.uk/libraries
Leisure centres www.dudley.gov.uk/sport
Housing
Dudley Council Plus http://www.dudley.gov.uk 0300 555 2345
General help and advice