Useful websites

This page contains links to external websites that professionals who advise young people may find useful. 

Homelessness organisations

• Centrepoint - a national charity working to improve the lives of socially excluded, homeless young people.

Hostels and nightshelters

• Homeless UK (or Homeless London in London) - directory of services for homeless people, including a directory of hostels, nightshelters, and other accommodation for homeless people.

Law and Rights

• Advice now - an independent, not-for-profit website providing accurate, up-to-date information on rights and legal issues.

Immigration, refugees, and asylum seekers

• The Refugee Council - gives direct help and support to refugees and asylum seekers, and works to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed.
• Refugee Action - provides a reception service, advice, and advocacy for newly arrived asylum seekers; independent advice to asylum seekers considering returning voluntarily to their country of origin; and projects to help promote the development of refugee communities and improve opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers.
• Refugee Legal Centre - provides legal advice for refugees and asylum seekers, training and support for other organisations advising them, and promotes their interests through law and public policy.
• Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants - provides free advice and casework, training courses, and a range of publications on issues for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

Offenders and ex-offenders

• Youth Justice Board - the executive public body that oversees the youth justice system.
• Nacro - the crime reduction charity; provides accommodation and a number of other services for offenders and ex-offenders.

Care leavers

• The Who Cares? Trust - a national charity working to improve public care for children and young people who are separated from their families and living in residential or foster care.
• A National Voice - an organisation, run for and by young people who are or have been in care, which aims to create positive changes to the care system in England, and provide a national platform to hear the voices of children and young people who are looked after.

Voluntary organisations working with young people

• Rainer - works with young people who are involved with the criminal justice system, in or leaving care, homeless, young parents, or have had problems with their education that affect their employment prospects.
• Barnardos - projects and services to help children and young people in need.
• The Prince's Trust - helps young people to realise their potential through practical support, including training, mentoring and financial assistance.
• Weston Spirit - engages, supports, and motivates young people to take control of their lives through a range of development programmes .
• Fairbridge - provides young people excluded by unemployment, crime, drug addiction, homelessness with a route back into mainstream society through a combination of long-term personal support and challenging activities.
• Runaway Helpline - a 24 hour confidential helpline for runaways operated by the charity Missing People, offering help and advice to young people who have run away from home or care, or who have been forced to leave.
• Dare to Care: Make time to help end child poverty - a campaign led by CSV and the Campaign to End Child Poverty to encourage 35,000 people to volunteer their time to help children, young people and families living with the effects of poverty in this country.

Support organisations for professionals

• Youth Access - the national membership organisation for young people's information, advice, counselling, and support services.

Support organisations and websites

• The Site - provides factsheets and articles on all the key issues facing young people including: sex and relationships; drinking and drugs; work and study; housing, legal and finances; and health and wellbeing.