The following are various professional contacts which I have found to be useful when working with children and families.
British Association for Adoption & Fostering
Britain's leading independent voice in the field of adoption and fostering.
British Association of Social Workers
Britain's primary association in promoting the role of professional social workers and the work of social work within society.
British Association of Social Workers Independents Online
BASW online directory of independent social workers.
British Union of Social Work Employees
The only trade union which specialises in representing social care staff.
Celtic Knot
A combined law firm and social work consultancy, providing social work legal services to service users, social workers and social care organisations.
Cruse
Proviede advice and support with loss and bereavement.
Data Protection Registrar
Disability Rights Commission
Federation of Small Businesses
Gary Direnfeld
Gary is an Independent Social Worker based in Canada, visit his website to see how good a really useful SW website can be!
General Social Care Council (England)
Grandparents Association
The Grandparents' Association is the fastest growing membership organisation for grandparents in the country.
It was launched in 1987 by a group of grandparents whose grandchildren had been put into care, adopted from care or were not allowed any contact with them.
Family Rights Group
Family Rights Group (FRG) was established as a registered charity in 1974 to provide advice and support for families whose children are involved with social services. Family Rights Group works to improve the services received by these families.
'Fostering People Too'
A south east based independent fostering organisation run by three very credible and highly regarded professional social workers / mangers, who put children and families needs before business.
Independents Forum (IF)
A BASW Special Interest Group for Independent Social Workers.
IF provides an online directory of Independent Social Workers / Consultants.
National Association of Guardian Ad Litem & Reporting Officers
The Professional Association for Family Court Advisers and Independent Social Work Practitioners and Consultants.
NAGALRO provides an online directory of Independent Social Workers / Consultants.
Sure Start
Sure Start is the Government’s programme to deliver the best start in life for every child by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support.
Responsibility for delivering Sure Start rests in the Sure Start, Extended Schools and Childcare Group within the Department for Education and Skills