Family Rights Group
Free Legal and Practical Advice for Families Involved with Children’s Services
Who It’s For: Parents, grandparents, relatives, friends and kinship carers in England whose children are involved with children’s services, at risk, in need, or in the care system. Also relevant to wider family members being asked to care for a child, or who are raising a child when parents are unable to. Interpreter services available for non-English speakers; textphone access for deaf and hearing-impaired callers.
What They Offer: Established in 1974 by lawyers, social workers and academics, Family Rights Group is a national charity providing free, independent and confidential advice to families navigating the child welfare and family justice system. Their expert advisers are all experienced lawyers, social workers or family rights advocates who help families understand the law, their rights and options, and how to engage constructively with social work concerns. They also run the innovative Lifelong Links programme, which supports children in care to build and maintain loving relationships with family and friends throughout their lives.
Support Includes:
- Free freephone advice line — staffed by experienced lawyers, social workers and family rights advocates
- Webchat service — available Monday and Thursday afternoons
- Online advice service — A-Z guides, FAQs, films, top tips, legal advice sheets and template letters
- Advice forums — online community for parents and kinship carers to access legal and practical advice
- Lifelong Links — programme helping children in care reconnect with and maintain family relationships
- Interpreter service via Language Line for non-English speaking families
- Textphone access for deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired callers
- Campaigning and policy work for fair treatment of families within the care system
Referral / Access: Self-referral. No referral needed. Call the free advice line Monday–Friday 9:30am–3pm. Webchat available Monday and Thursday afternoons via the website. Note that advice cannot be provided by email — please use the phone or webchat services.
Why This Matters: When social workers or courts become involved in decisions about your children, it can feel terrifying and overwhelming — and many families don’t know their rights or how to make their voice heard. Family Rights Group exists to change that. Their advisers will listen, explain the process clearly, and help you understand what you can do. Every family deserves to be treated fairly, and every child deserves to stay connected to the people who love them.
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