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Mail :	Plymouth Fostercare Children's Services Plymouth City Council Plymouth PL1 2AA
Phone :	0800 085 8034
Email :	fostering@plymouth.gov.uk

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Contacts for Looked After Children and Young People

This Helpline Section gives names, addresses and telephone numbers of various organisations who can give you information, advice and/or help on a range of different matters. If you do need help with a particular problem, or need general advice about something, you should try to talk with your carer or your social worker. If this is hard for you to do, then you should get in touch with one of the organisations listed on this page and ask them for help.

Careers and Further Education

If you want information or advice on what career to follow, or what college course might be available to you when you are aged 16+, you can either contact Plymouth City Council’s Careers Service or one of the colleges listed below. The course run by the colleges are not all about training for a career. There might be some subjects you want to study because you are interested in learning more about them for your own personal or leisure reasons.

Sixth Forms, most schools and colleges have a Sixth Form for students who wish to remain in education. You should either approach your tutor or contact the school you would like to attend. Details of schools in the Plymouth area can be obtained from the Yellow Pages or from your local Library.

Connexions
A support service for young people between the ages of 13 and 19 providing information, advice and guidance, and practical help preparing for adult and working life. You can contact Connexions through their freephone number, your school or social worker.

City College Plymouth
The college run a wide range of courses for people 16yrs+

University of Plymouth
The University provides courses for people aged 18yrs+ who wish to remain in or return to education.

Workers Education Association
Offer support with reading, writing and numeracy skills.

Job Centre Plus
Help you to find work or make a claim to benefit.

Volunteering

You may be interested in some voluntary work that could be helpful in developing your skills and employability.

Devon Youth Association
Offer support to volunteers between ages of 16-24 years through finding voluntary work in your area.

Plymouth Guild
Offer around 250 placements within a wide range of organisations.

Ground Work Trust
For people interested in outdoor conservation projects.

The Prince’s Trust
Help with developing confidence, motivation and skills.

Local Youth Groups and Clubs - There are lots of local youth groups and clubs running in the Plymouth area and details of these can be found through your local library or via Youth Enquiry Service.

Child Protection

If you are being hurt or harmed in any way or are scared of being hurt or harmed, then you must talk to someone who can either help you or advise you on what to do. If you can’t talk to your social worker or someone else close to you then phone one of the following child protection lines for advice. You can also phone them if you have been harmed in the past and have not told anyone who has been able to help you.

Childline
This is a Freephone and you do not have to pay any money for your call. If you write to Childline at the address given you do not have to put a stamp on the envelope. Childline will talk to you in confidence and you do not have to give them your name and address when you phone. If you do give them these details, they will not ask Children's Services or the police to help unless you wish them to do so. However, if Childline felt your life was in danger, they would need to act to protect you.

NSPCC Child Protection Line
The NSPCC provide a Freephone and you do not have to pay any money for your call. The NSPCC stands for The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and they have a legal duty to investigate any cases of child abuse that they hear about. The NSPCC will listen to what you tell them, and will advise you. They will also try to encourage you to give them your name and address so that they can get someone to help you. They would usually contact us to do this.

Plymouth City Council Out of Hours Team - Telephone 01752 346984 - Available 5pm to 8.30am Monday to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. You can discuss your concerns with a duty worker who can help you decide what action needs to be taken.

Plymouth Police Child Protection Team - Telephone 01752 284522.

Complaints

If you have any problems about the way you are being cared for by Plymouth City Council, or any issues about the way decisions are being made about you, then you should ask your social worker to help you sort it out. If you have tried and are still unhappy, you should contact our Complaints Officer and ask her/him to help you make a complaint. You should also contact the Complaints Officer if you feel you are being unfairly treated because of your race, culture, religion, sex, disability, or because you are lesbian or gay, or because you have a virus like HIV. They have a freephone number which is 0800 068 1249.

When you are looked after by Plymouth City Council you should be given a Contact Card which you can use to let us know that you would like to see someone. The Card does not need a stamp and if you do not have one you should ask your social worker or carer for one.

Contraceptives, Sexual Relationships & Pregnancy

If you want private advice about contraception or pregnancy then you can go to your own doctor and talk to them. If you do not want to do this, then there are other places you can go for private advice about contraceptives, pregnancy or about sexual relationships. You can contact one of the centres listed below. They all give private and confidential advice.

If you are under 16 years and wish to be prescribed contraceptives, the doctor will want to make sure that you have enough understanding, and they will also try to encourage you to tell your parents, or us if you are on a Care Order. This also applies if you are pregnant and are thinking about a termination (abortion).

Cumberland Centre - Telephone 01752 566633 - Family Planning, Sexual Health Advisory Service - Offer sexual advice including appointments for contraceptive advice, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception and free condoms.

Plymouth Eddystone Trust
Offer a confidential helpline and drop in centre offering information and support for anyone infected or affected by HIV, Aids or Hepatitis C.

Brook Advisory Centres
Offer free and confidential advice and counselling on sex and contraception for under 25 year olds.

Youth Enquiry Service
Offer a confidential sexual health advisory service for advice, information, support, condoms and pregnancy testing. The Junction at YES also give advice and support with a doctor and nurse available to offer contraceptive advice and supplies. If you are 13-25 you can get the morning after pill (emergency contraception) from Junction Plus on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3.30pm-6pm.

Chemists - If you are over 16 you can get the morning after pill from a local chemist.

Blackliners - Telephone 020 7738 5274 - Offers services for people of African, Caribbean and Asian decent affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and also teenage pregnancies.

Sexual Health Direct - Telephone 0845 3101334 - Offer confidential telephone helpline on contraception, pregnancy and termination.

RU Thinking
Gives information about sex and relationships.

Playing Safely
Gives information about clinics for advice on sexually transmitted diseases.

Out Youth Group - Telephone 07791 652486 - For young lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender. They offer social activities and support and meet fortnightly in Plymouth.

Diversity - Telephone 01752 284532 - There to help if you have been discriminated in anyway regarding your sexuality.

Lesbian and Gay Switchboard - Telephone 0207 8377324 - Advice and support, plus lesbian and gay events and places to go.

Counselling and advice on personal and emotional issues

The Samaritans
24 hours a day support line. They offer support and information if you are feeling depressed or if you have a personal or emotional problem which is worrying you, and you want to talk to someone straight away. The person who answers your call will talk to you in confidence and is there to offer you emotional support.

Gateway - Telephone 01752 669709 - Offers mental health services to young people over 18 years of age. If you are under 18 years of age the Young People's Centre is available for counselling and support and can be contacted through your doctor.

Saneline - Telephone 0345 678000 - Offers information and advice to anyone suffering with a mental health problem, their family and friends - Open every day between 12noon and 2am.

Youth Enquiry Service
Provide a confidential counselling service for young people. Open door policy so you can just walk in.

Discrimination

It is called discrimination if you are being treated badly or unfairly because of your race, religion, gender, sexuality, disability or because you have a health related condition like epilepsy or a virus like HIV or because you are a refugee or seeking asylum.

You should talk to your foster carer or social worker if you feel you are being discriminated against but if the problem is not solved, or if it is difficult to talk to either of them, you should contact our Complaints Officer and ask them to help you to either talk to the Plymouth City Council Manager or to help you make a complaint.

You can also use your Contact Card to let them know if you would like to see someone to discuss your concerns. If you do not have a Contact card you should ask your social worker or carer or reviewing officer for one.

You can contact your reviewing officer on 01752 306340, text them on 07795020994 or email iroteam@plymouth.gov.uk.

You can also get in touch with other organisations to ask for their advice or assistance in helping you stop any discrimination that you feel is happening. The organisations listed below are also given in other sections of this page.

Youth Enquiry Service
Offer support and advice to young people who wish to express concerns about the care they are receiving.

DIAC (Disability Information Advice Centre) - Telelphone 01752 201065 or 201766 - Offer advice and support on issues surrounding disability.

Disability Law Services
Offer free confidential advice, help and representation for disabled people, family and friends.

Plymouth Racial Equity Council (REC) - Telephone 01752 224555 - Offering advice, information and support for people from black and minority ethnic communities.

Plymouth Religious and Cultural Resource Centre
Information about religions, cultures and traditions and events - Telephone 01752 254438

The Monitoring Group (monitoring racial abuse and attacks in the city) will also support the person suffering discrimination - Telephone 01752 664501.

Lesbian and Gay Switchboard - Telephone 0207 8377324 - Advice and support, plus lesbian and gay events and places to go.

General information and advice

What Now?
Offer information for young people aged between 11 years and 25 years, covering housing, jobs, education, relationships, drugs and alcohol including links to local services.

NCH CLIP Project
Care Leavers Independence and Participation Project, for young people who have left care, offering tenancy support and a wide range of group and individual work.

Runaway
A free 24 hour helpline if you are 18 or over, have run away from home or care and wish to pass a message to someone close to you. They can also offer advice and support.

Careline
Offer confidential phone counselling for children and young people on any issue.

Youth Access
Offer information on local contacts for counselling, advice or information.

Alateen
Offer information and support for young people who have an alcoholic parent, carer or friend.

Who Cares Trust
Publish a magazine for young people who are looked after.

A National Voice
Run by and for young people who are in, or have left care. Aiming to prevent mistreatment, give young people a say in decisions and affect government decisions by improving the image of young people from care. The main aim is to promote positive changes in the care system.

Health issues - General

When you are in care you should be registered with a doctor near to where you live. This should be arranged by either your foster carer or your social worker. If you would like to stay with your normal doctor you should ask whether this can be arranged. You should also be registered with a dentist and where necessary an optician. There are also a range of emergency and other services which you can contact.

If you are not registered with a doctor there is a surgery open at the Cumberland Centre - Telelphone 01752 565655.

You can contact the Youth Enquiry Service for details of a health drop in centre near you.

NHS Direct
Offer 24 hour general health information and advice from trained nurses.

Eating Disorders Association
Offer information for anyone involved with bulimia or anorexia.

The Young Peoples Centre - Telelphone 01752 272346 - A service for young people with mental health problems which can be contacted via your doctor.

Gateway to Mental Health - Telephone 01752 669709 - Advice and support on mental health to anyone over 18 years old.

Quitline
Offers confidential advice and information on stopping smoking.

Smart - Telephone 020 8677 9541 - Offers advice and support to anyone using Class A drugs and injectors including counselling, housing and benefits advice and complimentary medicine.

Talk to Frank
24 hour free and confidential information advice on all drug related issues. They also offer recorded information on the some telephone number.

Harbour Centre - Telephone 01752 267431 - Offer advice and information on safe drug and alcohol use.

Release
Offer 24 hour information and advice on illegal or prescribed drugs (including legal advice).

Pregnant Teenagers Helpline - Telephone 0845 601 3386 - Advice for pregnant teenagers.

Health Issues - HIV/AIDS

If you are HIV positive or are worried that you might have HIV and wish to talk to someone in private you can contact one of the following organisations.

Sexual Health Line - Telephone 0800 567 123 - Free 24 hour helpline. The advisors who answer will listen to you in confidence and give you general advice and let you know where you can get further support. A Minicom service is available for people with hearing difficulties from 10am until 10pm seven days a week. A Minicom is a kind of typewriter connected to a telephone line. You would need to phone from a telephone that has a Minicom connected. If you have hearing difficulty then you can call 0800 521 361.

Plymouth Eddystone Trust
Offer a confidential helpline and drop in centre offering information and support for anyone infected or affected by HIV, Aids or Hepatitis C.

Terrance Higgins Trust
Offer information and help on Aids or HIV infection, benefits, accommodation, legal issues and drug use.

Blackliners - Telephone 020 7738 5274 - Offer services for people of African, Caribbean or Asian descent affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Job Centres and Unemployment Benefit Offices

If you want information about job training schemes or assistance in finding a job when you leave school, you can call in at your local job centre. Job Centres are run jointly with Unemployment Benefit Offices and you can also find out more details about your rights to sign on for benefits. You should first call in or phone the office nearest to where you live to check whether this is the correct centre for you to visit. This is important for claiming benefits because they have different offices covering the different postal addresses where people live. Sometimes they also have different offices covering different surnames so for example if your surname began with the letter A-L, it might be in a different office than people with surnames starting M-Z.

Connextions
A support service for young people between the ages of 13 and 19 providing information, advice and guidance, and practical help preparing for adult and working life. Connextions will put you in touch with a personal adviser to give you advice, support, guidance and practical help in preparing for adult life. This includes information on careers, training, housing, leisure and all aspects of your life.

Job Centre Plus
Phone 01752 616000 for details of your local centre, which offers details of jobs available and help with finding employment such as job search, seminars and job club.

Routeways Into Work - Telephone 01752 30070040/43 - Offers training to help overcome barriers to work and matching to suitable jobs.

Libraries

Your local library not only offers a service lending books, CD's, records and talking books, but it also has a Public Enquiry Terminal where you can look at Plymouth City Council’s Information Database. Your local library will have computerised information on various local services/activities eg youth clubs, colleges, etc. If you talk to one of the librarians, they will help you look for the particular information you want.

Please see our pages on Plymouth's libraries for details of your nearest library.

Police assistance

If you ever need any general advice or assistance from the police, you can contact them at one of the police stations listed below. The police stations are all linked to a central system. Therefore, when you ring any one of the telephone numbers listed, you will be answered by a central switchboard and the operator will ask you which police station you want to talk to.

If you need to speak to the police in an emergency because you are being hurt or harmed, or feel you are at risk of being hurt or harmed, then you should phone 999. You should tell them your name and the address where you are calling from so that they can go and help you. You should also let them know you are being looked after by Plymouth City Council.

In an emergency call 999 and ask for the police service. Minicom users should call 01392 452935.

For non emergency calls phone 08452 777 444.

Asylum seekers and refugees

If you need advice and assistance in connection with seeking asylum or if you are a refugee then the following contacts could be helpful.

Plymouth Racial Equity Council (REC) - Telephone 224555 - Events, support groups, advice and advocacy.

Youth Enquiry Service
For group work and individual support.

Refugee Action
Work with asylum seekers, supporting those dispersed to Plymouth, including an advice line.

Devon and Cornwall Refugee Council - Telephone 01752 265952 - Run a drop in for asylum seekers and refugees and offer advice and support.

Refugee First - Telephone 01752 242156 - Run a drop in for asylum seekers and refugees and offer advice and support. Particularly supportive of children.

Students and Refugees together (START)
Work with children and families giving advice and support, and will also work with unaccompanied minors. They run the Cultural Kitchen from Fridays between 5pm and 7pm at the Sherwell Church Hall with food cooked by a different culture group every week.

The Monitoring Group - Telephone 01752 664501 - Monitor racial abuse and attacks in the city. They will also support the person suffering discrimination.

Devon Law Centre
Solicitors able to give legal advice to asylum seekers.

Plymouth Religious and Cultural Resource Centre
Information about religions, cultures and traditions and events - Telephone 01752 254438

Cumberland Centre - Telephone 01752 567999 - Health screening for all newly arrived asylum seekers.

Legal advice

Law Society Children Panel
They can put you in touch with a local solicitor who can advise and represent you in matters concerning your family and care.

Disability Law Services
Offer free and confidential advice for disabled people, family and friends on a wide range of related subjects including work and housing benefits.

Release
Offer instant legal advice around drug issues and your rights within the criminal law.

Citizens Advice Bureau
Offer support and advice on debt, welfare rights issues and other related issues.

Care Law
A guide to the law for young people in care.

Resolution - First for family law
Keep an up to date list of Children’s Solicitors.

National Youth Advocacy
An advocacy service for children who are looked after - you can call free on 0800 616101.

Childline
Has a free helpline for children who are looked after - 0800 88444.

Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI)

Commission for Social Care Inspection
This is the body that inspects Plymouth City Council's Children's Services department to make sure we are keeping to the national standards. You can contact them if you do not feel you are being looked after properly.

Plymouth City Council - Emergency Duty Team

If you need urgent help from Plymouth City Council in the evening, night time or at weekends, then there is an Emergency Duty Team you can contact. Social workers in this team are not there to help with general enquiries or complaints but can be contacted if you are being hurt or harmed in any way or if you are afraid of being hurt or harmed.

If for any reason you cannot get the Emergency Team on the phone, or if you feel you are at immediate risk, you should contact the police by phoning 999. You should tell them that you are looked after by Plymouth City Council and are being hurt or harmed or are at risk of being hurt or harmed and that you want police protection. You will also need to give them your name and the address where you are calling. The police will act on your call for help and they will get in touch with Plymouth City Council staff as soon as they can, to let them know what has happened. We will then get involved.

The telephone number for the Emergency Team is 01752 346984. Phone this number after 5pm in the evenings, during the night, or at weekends. You can also telephone Plymouth City Council’s main telephone number - 01752 668000. Tell the switchboard operator that you want the Children's Services Emergency Duty Team. The operator will ask you for your telephone number and will get a social worker from this team to phone you back.