Important: These guides provide general information and are not legal advice. For legal advice or support surrounding being arrested or the criminal justice system, please refer to the helplines below
| Understanding the Criminal Justice System | Click here |
| How to support a family member who has been arrested | Click here |
| Being convicted of a crime | Click here |
| Attending Criminal Courts with Mental Health Conditions | Click here |
| How to support a victim or witness to a crime | Click here |
| Being arrested as a young person | Click here |
Helplines
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice is a charity providing free, confidential advice and support on issues including money, debt, benefits, housing, work, family problems, consumer rights and legal matters.
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Online chat: 9 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday
Phone (England): 0800 144 8848
Opening times (England): 9 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday; opening times can differ depending on where you live. Lines are closed on weekends and bank holidays.
Phone (Wales): 0800 702 2020
Opening times (Wales): 8am-7pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm Saturdays. Lines are closed on weekends and bank holidays.
Youth Justice Legal Centre
Youth Justice Legal Centre (YJLC) is an organisation providing specialist legal information, advice and support about youth justice law. They support children, young people, families and professionals with issues including being arrested, going to court, police powers, bail, criminal allegations and children’s rights within the criminal justice system.
Website: www.yjlc.uk
YJLC Aim to respond to email enquiries within 3 working days
Just for Kids Law
Just for Kids Law is a charity providing free legal advice, representation and advocacy for children and young people aged 10-25. They cover issues including police and criminal justice, court proceedings, care and children’s rights.
Phone: 020 3174 2279
Opening times: 9:30 am–5:30 pm, Monday–Friday
Emergency 24-hour Crime Contact Line: 07886 755321
Email: contact@justforkidslaw.org
Website: www.justforkidslaw.org
National Appropriate Adult Network
The National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) is a charity supporting appropriate adult services in England and Wales. They provide information, guidance and resources about appropriate adults, who safeguard the rights and welfare of children and vulnerable adults who are detained or questioned by the police.
Email: admin@appropriateadult.org.uk
Website: www.appropriateadult.org.uk
IOPC
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is the police complaints watchdog for England and Wales. They investigate the most serious complaints and conduct matters involving the police and oversee the police complaints system.
Phone: 0300 020 0096
Opening times: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Friday
Email: enquiries@policeconduct.gov.uk
Website: www.policeconduct.gov.uk
Victim Support
Victim Support is an independent charity providing free, confidential support for people affected by crime and traumatic incidents. They support people affected by issues including bullying, abuse, sexual violence, domestic abuse, hate crime and other crimes.
Phone: 0808 1689 111
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Live chat: Available 24 hours a day
Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk
The Survivors Trust
The Survivors Trust is a national organisation providing support for people affected by rape, sexual abuse and sexual violence. They support survivors, their families, friends and professionals with information, advice, emotional support and signposting to specialist services.
Phone: 0808 801 0818
Opening times: Monday–Thursday, 10am–12:30pm, 1:30pm–3pm and 6pm–8pm; Friday, 10am–12:30pm and 1:30pm–3pm; Saturday, 10am–12:30pm; Sunday, 6pm–8pm
Text: 07860 022 956
Email: helpline@thesurvivorstrust.org
Website: www.thesurvivorstrust.org
Samaritans
Samaritans is a charity providing emotional support to anyone who is struggling to cope or needs someone to talk to. They are there for people experiencing all sorts of difficulties, including stress, anxiety, loneliness, relationship or family problems, bereavement, feeling overwhelmed and concerns about mental health or suicide.
Phone: 116 123
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Website: http://www.samaritans.org
Childline
Childline is a free service for young people to talk to a counsellor about anything. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Childline is available to anybody who is 18 years old or younger.
Phone: 0800 1111
Opening times: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
You can also find helpful resources, speak to a counsellor online or send a message on their site.
Website: www.childline.org.uk
For adults concerned about a child, the NSPCC can be contacted
NSPCC
NSPCC is a children’s charity that works to protect children and prevent abuse and neglect. They provide support and advice for adults about child abuse, neglect, child safety, online safety and children’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
Phone: 0808 800 5000
Opening times: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Friday
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Email opening times: 11 am–4 pm, 7 days a week
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
YoungMinds
YoungMinds is a national charity supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. They provide information, advice and support for parents and carers who are concerned about a young person’s mental health, and help people understand mental health difficulties, find appropriate support and access useful resources. Their Parents Helpline can provide information, advice, emotional support and signposting to other services.
Parent helpline: 0808 802 5544 (9:30 am – 4 pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 9:30 am – 6 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Email: parents@youngminds.org.uk
Webchat: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline/
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