Stacey Danson...Empty Chairs

Win A FREE Kindle Edition of Empty Chairs on Freado!

2011-05-31T17:24:00.000-07:00

You can win a FREE kindle edition of Empty Chairs on Freado...June 6th 2011 I am giving away TEN copies on Freado...simply click on the badge below to find out how you can enter!

The awareness and prevention of child abuse is up to each of us.

2011-03-28T19:16:00.000-07:00

The awareness and prevention of child abuse is up to each of us.

Many of you will already be aware that April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention month.

I have decided to contribute all profits from the sale of my biography “{Empty Chairs} during the month of April to ISPCAN the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

http://www.ispcan.org/?page=About_Us

They are a world wide non denominational and non profit organization that train counselors and field officers working amongst the survivors of abuse.

Their main aim is to prevent it from occurring in the first instance.

If you are thinking of purchasing my book please hold off until April.

I am also available should anyone care to have me do a guest blog on awareness and who to turn to in the event you have a problem that needs discussion.

It is undeniably a very difficult topic to approach. Please be aware; I will NOT take part in any witch hunts. This is not what I am about.

However I will gladly offer my time to anyone anywhere that wants to help raise awareness of this world wide tragedy and how to deal with it if ever confronted.

2011-01-25T08:01:00.000-08:00

Living Under A Neon Rainbow.

2011-01-15T02:23:00.000-08:00

Living Under A Neon Rainbow~~ Street life.

A friend once asked me, “Did you ever think of giving up, Soooz? Did you ever consider suicide?”

My response was, “Of course I did.”

That thought had entered my mind. More than once. It came, and it almost won. Almost.

I was so weary of fighting back when that thought surfaced. Just so very tired of surviving my damned life and not truly living it. Many people have asked me how could it be that at the age of eleven you were alone and on the streets.

We all had reasons.

Reasons—not excuses. There is a huge difference in my opinion.

Sure--some of the people out there on the street had less reason than others, but, my friends, the streets were not softer to sleep on or easier to deal with if you had more or less reason to find yourself there.

The streets are an egalitarian place. Everyone on them for whatever reason has the same hard choices to make.

The predators were no less vicious if your reasons were stronger.

We humans can be such a cruel, judgmental species.

The pecking order on the streets—any streets--in any damned country--is simple—only the most vicious in the food chain survive at a visible level.

Only those clever enough to manipulate, and use a weaker beings fears against themselves remain untouched.

Only those that have lost all traces of the humane aspect of being human; those for whom, caring, kindness, pity and love have become unknown words attached to long dead feelings. Only they become safely visible.

Even those living on the scraps of human remains—the pimps and the pushers, even they have a higher power further advanced by deed in the food chain.

Living on the streets—sure—you may survive it. To do it alone, with no back up, and sustain your humanity—not a snowballs chance in hell.

Being alone sets you apart—instantly. Make no mistake—the predators single you out, and wait.

They wait--certain of the fact that, fear, hunger, or one of a countless number of possible addictions—will drive you as part of an unwilling herd to the differing degrees of slaughter of the soul.

Some street dwellers fall into the visibly crazy category.

Who would dare in all conscience put that label on anyone out there, without looking at their own shaky versions of sanity first?

Not I.

The sad folk who were labeled as such attracted attention. Their need was so obvious, it shone like a beacon to the few organizations charged with rescuing those who had slipped through the tears in the fabric of society. The obviously crazy people tended to survive far better than those of us that still walked the razors edge of what did and did not constitute visibly insane.

I lived on those streets. How the hell I survived those early months alone I do not even begin to know.

What I do know is this. I would not have made it to age twelve, without taking my own life. Or having a lifestyle forced upon me that would ensure I continued to breath whilst dead anyway.

I would not, could not have survived it alone.

I had reached the end of my endurance. I had witnessed too much of the darkness in the human soul. I wanted to just give up. Finish it. I wanted with everything that was in me to no longer be paralysed with fear. All I wanted was to feel safe…not rich, successful, beautiful or famous…just safe.

I would have taken my own life. Without further hesitation, or thought. Except for a bunch of kids just like me. A bunch of badly damaged, half-crazy--half-feral street kids. That’s what they were, not saints or angels sent from heaven. They were just like me—only they had each other for support.

They saved me, from--me. I have tended to gloss over the negative and focus on the positive. I have always done that, and will no doubt continue to do so. Dwelling on the bad things is not good for my peace of mind.

However, please make no mistake, I was not a young female version of “Huck Finn” setting off on some wonderful adventure.

I was just a girl with a dreadful past. An eleven-year-old kid who wanted so very badly to have a less than dreadful future.

I was fallible, very human and terribly afraid. I was also wary, untrusting—and very very angry.

I had never known a childhood. It was ripped away. It was torn apart--together with every fragment of innocence a child has.

I was an old woman in a child’s body--searching for the child I should have been, everyplace I went.

The fact that I survived all of it, reasonably sane—and still able to laugh—was not due only to my strength. I don’t deny I am strong. I don’t deny that I grow weary at times of needing to be that way.

No, my friends; I did not survive through my strength of will. I had no miracle to perform. I survived because I got lucky. Yes ... lucky. I was welcomed in a fashion, by a bunch of kids—strangers all, that clung together through all of it—and somehow formed a family of sorts.

I was taken in only because one of them had chosen to end her struggle with life. She died and left room for one more in their group. Only one.

Why did they choose me?

What complex issues did they discuss that caused me to be selected from the many, many, kids out there?

They chose me simply because they liked my street-name, ‘Sassy’ The leader of the group decided if I had managed to earn a name like that, then I might just be able to make it.

We had rules, standards of behavior that must be kept. Each one of us contributed to the wellbeing of all. Selfishness was punished by eviction from the family. There were no second chances.

This is written with love. They taught me how to feel it. I needed to honor them. I needed to acknowledge their existence in my strange life. Of the original fifteen of us, those that made it through to be celebrating the year 2010--number only four.

Only three of the eleven human beings that I owe my own life to, only three, died of natural causes. Eight people—eight wonderful valiant people, ended their own lives. Or got caught up in a style of life that caused it to be taken from them.

My memories are of them.

My heart aches for all the young ones that will spend another night on the streets of every city and every country.

I am asking each of you that may be reading this to please reach out if you can. Most churches have a donation of goods drive. Spend a moment with your own families, and think what it would be like for any one of them to be alone and afraid.

Spare a moment to think of all the lonely people who have no friends—no family, and no hope.

Try and allow the thoughts in, no matter how ugly they are. If you can. A smile from a total stranger can be all it takes to lighten the sadness and renew the hope.

I’m smiling, at the memories and the craziness of the time I spent with them.

Every day since those wonderful damaged young street kids entered my life is worthy of remembering. They allowed me to feel connected to something for the first time in my life.

They dealt with my anger, for it matched their own.

We fought each other fiercely…but mostly we allied against anyone or anything that threatened harm to the unified bunch that we eventually became.

No one is alone, while ever someone cares enough to think of them.

Reach out.

You can make a difference.

NB: When I wrote this a little over a year ago, there were four of us remaining.

Today there are only two.

For Baby Jenny. With all my love.

2010-09-13T19:04:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of Spring here in Australia. Today is also an anniversary. Please allow me to introduce you to my Baby Jenny. Indulge me a little and meet her, get to know her a little.

****

Jenny was one of fifteen of us; we were all street kids. We lived if you could call it that, in a shipping container on the docks in Sydney. Jenny was the youngest among us. She was eight-years-old when she came to the “Palace” in the winter of 1965.

Well, to be more accurate the other kids found her, she was hungry, afraid, and on the streets, alone. The rest of us had all been in that place. Not one of us had been there at aged eight..

I was eleven going on twelve, when I crash landed in the group, the second youngest in our little band, Jenny was the baby. That’s the name she was given, ‘Baby Jenny’. It stuck.

The eldest, and our unofficial leader was Jamie, he was sixteen.

The first Christmas she was with us, Baby Jenny was still in shock, and would allow no one to touch her. She spoke rarely, and when she did, it was angry stuff, things most people wouldn’t expect to hear from such a baby. We expected it, we’d all lived it. We knew with an age old knowing, not to get too close until and unless she invited us in.

Thanks to a bunch of dock-workers we had a wonderful Christmas that year. These guys had wings hidden under their dirty blue T-shirts. Well, at least I told them that and often. They were good people. On Baby Jenny’s first Christmas Eve, these winged rough-heads arrived with boxes of goodies for all of us.

There was more food than any of us had seen in one place in a very long time. Tinned Hams, fresh pineapples, cherries and plums. Turkey and Cranberry sauce … all the trimmings. Fifteen red t-shirts all large sizes. Paper plates, and plastic knives and forks, a can-opener. A Cooler packed with ice, a radio and spare batteries. A crate of beer and bottles of Coke.

Jenny had a special gift. It was a baby doll. All done up with booties and bonnet, lacy frills, a soft little body and a sweet little face. Jenny’s first reaction was typical of her, she said, “Terrific just what we needed, another fuckin’ mouth to feed.” She took it and placed it on her sleeping space.

Jenny had cried herself to sleep every night for the five months she’d been with us. She would allow none of us to touch her or offer comfort, to attempt to do so caused a panic attack, frightening to witness.

That night, we all huddled around the radio, drinking the beer and singing our version of Christmas carols, none of them repeatable. Trust me.

We were fed, content, and a little overwhelmed and unsure at the kindness of these people.

Typically we questioned the motive behind it. We all wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, they had done it for no motive other than the wish to make this Christmas a good place for us to be. It was an alien experience but a welcome one.

We all had our designated sleeping places, a patch of floor that became our own. The boys formed a barrier between the females and the exit. Taking turns at staying awake on guard. Us girls took our turns as well but always one of the guys stayed with us. We had our own little family going here. Only at the time we didn’t recognize it that way.

That night we were all drunk, including Baby Jenny. It was around 2.00 am Christmas morning I guess when I felt something was wrong. Whatever the something was it wouldn’t let me sleep. I couldn’t place it immediately. It was a strange sense of something missing, and it troubled me. Jamie was on watch, I climbed over the others and hunkered down next to him. Jamie smiled at me and said, “You too hey, Sassy?”

“Yeah, I guess--what is it? Something’s different.”

We sat a while just listening. Then Jamie said, “Oh shit! It’s Jenny, she’s not crying!”

My heart was in my mouth. Jamie grabbed the torch and we played it across the others, several of them were already awake, and wondering what the hell was happening.

Jenny lay on her side, sound asleep with both arms wrapped around that doll so tight there was no space between them. That was the first time I had cried in a very, very, long time. I glanced at the others, without exception we were all affected the same way. No one wanted to look at anyone else, shit we were supposed to be the toughest kids on the block! Hell … we were the only kids on the block. That Christmas was the first day of Jenny’s childhood. From then on, Christmas became Jenny’s birthday.

We all became the proud protective parents of a nine-year-old baby girl.

I’d like to tell you that a miraculous change came over her.

I’d like to tell you that she ran around all warm and fuzzy singing songs from 'The Sound Of Music.'

I can’t tell you any of that, because this is the real world.

That is not what happened.

What did happen, was sneaking and slow, almost impossible to see at first.

The changes were far more apparent in the rest of us. If possible the boys became even more protective. Some of the girls liked it. I resented it like hell.

I resented the implication that as I was a female, and in consequence of not having been born with balls, I had to live by their rules. Not this little black duck. Damn what an ego I had back then. Sassy by name and sassy by nature.

The guys were not at all sure if I was going to hug ‘em or slug ‘em. So distance was kept. Me being me, had already worked that one out way ahead of time.

Keep ‘em guessing. It worked well, for a time.

Jamie, well, he would just laugh his damn fool head off at me. Then give me a swipe on the rump for good measure. I think the bastard enjoyed watching me fire up and lash back.

The days and nights were not all sunshine and roses. Yet compared to what we had all escaped from, ‘The Palace’ was pretty damn good. We had a roof over our heads to keep us dry. We didn’t go hungry much at all. Sure we didn’t have feasts like Christmas all the time, but we ate. The shopkeepers would give us a box of fruit, most of it edible; in return for sweeping up or washing windows, we would earn food, or a few bucks to pool together to buy the necessities of life. Beer and cigarettes. Simple yes? Stupid? Very.

We bathed in the fountains of Kings Cross, or Hyde Park in the summer months.

Or we wandered down to the Botanical gardens and went for a swim. I loved the summer, there were more tourists around who appreciated a guide. I was a scruffy one, but hell, I was a fast talker with a great smile who really knew this town. The street life was always easier in the months between December and the end of April.

The changes in Jenny became more visible over that summer. She laughed out loud, often. She still didn’t like to be touched, but didn’t recoil quite as much if you sat too close to her. That doll went everywhere with her. If we wanted to sleep without one eye open we treated that doll with respect.

Jenny began to talk more. At first it was just asking stuff, regular questions, like, um “What’s for food tonight? Can we afford to get some Coke?”

Just stuff. After a time I noticed Jenny trying to make sense out of one of the newspapers we used to sleep on. It hadn’t occurred to me that she didn’t know how to read.

I had left school at eleven years of age so I was no genius at it, but I knew enough to help her sound out words; the rest of us made time to help her with the alphabet.

Jamie went to the newsagent’s shop and offered to work in back, in exchange for some pencils and crayons and kid’s books. The owner of the shop was so cool. He let Jamie keep his pride by doing a little tidy up every Saturday. In return Jenny had a huge supply of papers, crayons, books, and letters of the alphabet.

Pretty soon she would have us all sit and listen while she read the latest headlines from the paper out loud. We were her willing captives. Hell … it was great just listening to her voice.

We had a couple of blow-ins, the following year. That would be the year I turned thirteen, 1967. As a rule when one of us left for any reason, we’d wait a month to see if they needed to come back. If after that time they chose to still be gone, well then we’d talk to the girls on the street.

The street girls were our eyes and ears. If they spotted a likely candidate worthy of living in “The Palace” which is what we lovingly labeled the container--the girls would make sure we got a message.

Most of the run-aways in our experience were just kids who didn’t like the boredom of their home life. They were the thrill-seekers. We had no space or patience for that bunch. We called them the ‘Circus Freaks’.

The street girls were acute judges of who was bored and who was hurting. We never referred to the girls as hookers or whores. They deserved our respect and hell that’s exactly what they got.

Anyone that disrespected the girls, by extension disrespected us. We had earned a reputation on the streets for not taking kindly to anyone who was found guilty of that particular crime.

Judgemental? Hell, yes! We felt we had earned that right, and were naive enough to believe we had the right to uphold it.

The blow-ins came to us, which in itself was unusual.

First up, a female around fifteen or so, who went by the name of Juniper, for God’s sake, what sort of damn name was Juniper?

I guess she fancied herself as a flower child. We had the market cornered for flower children, she had heard that we were pacifists, who believed in free-love. Shit! Free love my skinny-ass, ain’t no such animal. As for being pacifists ... he-heh… sure we were! As long as nobody threatened any one of us.

The boys seemed taken with her, eh-hem. Testosterone tended to get in the way of sense in my way of thinking.

To be fair she had big tits and huge blue eyes or vice-versa. I was probably jealous as all hell. At the time I thought it was just intuition that told me she was trouble with a capital T.

Jenny hated her from day one. She confided in me that Juniper scared her.

Jenny began hanging around me like a second skin from the day ‘Juniper’ arrived. I liked the feeling of her trusting me to look out for her. I liked it a lot.

I watched Juniper like a hawk. So much so that she complained to Jamie that I didn’t like her.

That was her first mistake. Jamie told her in everyone’s hearing if she had a problem with me, to damn well tell me about it, and not anyone else stupid enough to listen. Whew! Man, that felt good. I sat there and watched her squirm. Jenny got a fit of the giggles, and ended up with her head in my lap cackling like a chicken. That distracted me and everybody else. I didn’t touch her in response, I was afraid to change the moment.

Jamie looked at me with a huge grin on his face. I recognized it as pride.

Jenny finished laying her egg, and started up with the hic-ups which set her off again. The laughter was contagious and we all caught it.

Juniper was clearly not impressed. She said nothing, not then. When the laughter settled I half expected Jenny to be embarrassed and move away, she didn’t. Jenny sat up and snuggled in under my arm. I was so shaken I didn’t know how to respond to her. She took care of that by picking my arm up and draping it around her shoulders. I swear she sat there glaring at Juniper with a look on her little face that clearly said, “Ok bitch, now say something!”

Juniper was clearly humiliated. I felt smug, the bitch had earned it.

We all settled down, and put the radio on in time to listen to the top-forty countdown. It was a ritual we never missed. The music kept us connected to the rest of the world. The news on Vietnam, began awakening the political awareness in all of us, even Jenny at the tender age of ten, had an opinion on it.

Two days later I was in taking a dip in the fountain, it was reasonably early in the morning and a Sunday. Hyde park wouldn’t get busy for at least two hours yet. Jamie and the other boys were laying out under the trees drying off. We weren’t stupid enough to swim bare-assed. Not in daylight hours. So the drying off ritual included a various assortment of clothes, summer was our cleanest time.

Jenny as always, wasn’t too far off; she’d saved some bread scraps and was feeding the pigeons, she laughed out loud at their antics. It gave her pleasure, and made the rest of us smile.

I heard her scream, and turned in time to see Juniper slap her viciously across the face.

I don’t remember getting out of the fountain, or running. Jamie was almost there at the same time I was, only not quite soon enough.

I do remember grabbing that bitch by her hair, and slamming her to the ground.

I do remember punching her over and over again.

I don’t know what would have happened if Jamie hadn’t pulled me off.

She was pretty messed up. My right hand was bleeding and swelling rapidly. Jenny sat quietly … too quietly. I walked over to her slowly, terrified that she had broken and retreated back inside her safe place. She looked up at me and put her arms up, the way a baby does when it wants a hug. I picked her up and cradled that baby, and rocked her in that ageless rhythm that must be part of female genetic makeup. We both cried. Jamie offered to carry her back home, I refused, although I think Jenny would have allowed him to. By the time we got back to ‘The Palace,’ Jenny was asleep. I laid her down, curled up next to her, and I too fell asleep.

The pain in my hand woke me. I think it was broken. Doctors and hospitals were a definite no go zone … you didn’t run from the terror we had run from, and then do something stupid, like go someplace where too many questions would be asked. Jamie and I decided we would go down to the first-aid clinic on the docks. These guys wouldn’t say anything. I was in discomfort so what the heck? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I got real lucky that day. Big-Mike was on duty. He and I were sort of friends, I never did understand why people were so damn afraid of him—he was a Teddy-bear. Mike took a look at my hand muttering something about “Bloody females!”

He was so gentle. He bathed it, and strapped it and said, “You silly little bugger, Sassy girl. I thought I taught you how to duck?” For once I didn’t have a smart-ass response to throw back at him. Mike said, “It’s broken, Sassy, you should go to the hospital.” I guess the look on my face took care of any more of that hospital nonsense. Mike said he’d drop by “The Palace’ later, with some aspirin, and for me not to use my hand, and keep it in the sling he’d provided.

I’ll always be thankful that I didn’t take my flick-knife with me on bath days.

Juniper, would be grateful too, if she’d known.

Jenny turned a corner that day. She recognized for the first time in her young life, that people cared about her enough to bleed for her if necessary. It changed her. She became a little more adventurous, more confident somehow.

Not hugely so, but enough that she was able to ask and sometimes insist on her own way. Like I said not huge, but a damn good beginning.

I’d always wondered what it would be like to have a sister, Jenny became that, and in some ways she became my child as well, even though I was only older by four years.

Time passes as it does, people either grow or wither and die on the streets. Jenny grew. She wasn’t as strong as some of us. But given love and time to heal I was hopeful that she would toughen up.

I worried constantly that she depended on me, on all of us, too much. Jamie and I talked quietly about how to go about helping Jenny to stand up on her own.

We were both worried that she wouldn’t make it if one of us decided it was time for us to leave ‘The Palace’. We had no idea what to do about it, except to ask her what she thought about things, to encourage her to think for herself, on her own terms.

Jenny was growing prettier as she grew, her body fleshed out, and her beautiful eyes started to lose that haunted look. Her blonde curly hair grew long and thick. We had no hairdressers available to us. We improvised as always, Cassie, one of the other girls, was pretty nifty with a pair of scissors. Besides the ragged urchin look was in … and we all fit that bill.

Christmas and summer of 1969, arrived with a rush. We celebrated Jenny’s eleventh birthday. Several of the gang had left in the past few months, it unsettled Jenny, more than we expected or hoped for. She again became clingy and fearful, change would always be something terrifying to Jenny. The known world made her feel safer, no matter how bad it was.

I would be sixteen in April, and I had grown restless, and unsettled. I knew I wanted more from my life, I didn’t have any idea what. I just knew that if I stayed much longer, I would cease wanting more, I would remain, I would age and die on the streets without hope or a dream--like so many others did.

Jamie sensed it in me, he didn’t pull his punches, he just said,”If you need to go, just do it, just go Sass … for pity’s sake don’t drag it out!”

It took me years to figure out why he was so terribly angry. Shit, I can be thick as two planks sometimes!

I knew it was time, my main concern was Jenny. Such an ego, huh? I guess I had figured she wouldn’t make it without me on board.

Jamie, Jenny, and I went into the gardens, I needed her to be someplace calm when I told her I was leaving. It didn’t make a hell of a lot of difference. She stood with her pretty eyes full of tears, and begged me to stay. Saying no to her was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. But I did it.

I promised both her and Jamie, that I would see them again. We made a pact, to meet once a year, on the first day of Summer, which here in Australia is December 1st. We were to meet outside the Opera house, at noon.

We kept that pact. Some years we missed. When our lives took us away to different places for different reasons. But almost every year for the last Thirty-Nine years, at least two of us would arrive. Sometimes as many as five of the old crew would be there. It was strange and sad and wonderful, to laugh about the old times, and talk about the new.

Last year there was just the three of us, joking and laughing, hugging and crying and getting drunk as skunks. Jamie has developed a paunch, and lost most of his hair. Jenny looked well, much too thin, and brittle, but well.

This December 1st, there will be only Jamie and I.

Last Tuesday September 1st Our Baby Jenny committed suicide.

The reasons why--I can’t touch yet.

This week has been angry … I wanted to lash out, I wanted to inflict pain. I have screamed and railed at a God that could allow this to happen. I have shut myself away, not wanting to be touched. I resorted as always to humor, my first line of defense. The pain, it will lessen someday … maybe. My memory of a nine-year-old kid with pain in her eyes will stay.

I have written this over and over again. Too angry to express what I needed to say. I have yet to cry. That will come. I wanted there to be more than just Jamie and I thinking about Jenny at the funeral tomorrow. I hope that some of you will perhaps read this, and just for a moment give thought to the woman she was, and the child she never had a chance to be. The doll, will be buried with her.

****

Thank you, for allowing me this indulgence. I promised myself that I would reprint this on the Anniversary of her death. It is today. I wanted someone , anyone, to think about Jenny…and perhaps feel sorrow at her passing.

Soooz.

I'm Uncertain...Worried! Where can I turn? Who can I ask for help?

2010-09-12T23:35:00.000-07:00

If you are reading this post...then YOU have questions. Yes? You need to know what to do, where do you turn ... and who can you ask for help. If you think a child you know is being abused, in any way...but are unsure who to turn to for advice, I hope the following lists will help.

The MOST important thing you need to do is remain calm. Even if the name of a CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES contact in your town or nearest city is not available, don't give up. Every POLICE DEPT...and every Hospital has access to immediate assistance to provide you with the guidance you need.

The following lists are incomplete...however there are contacts in Most major centers in The United Kindom...The United States of America...Australia. The list needs expanding...if you can add the name of a Government approved agency to this list please leave a comment below...I will confirm the validity of the site and add it to the appropriate listing.

In The United States of America.

Boystown National Hotline

Father Flanagan's Boys' Home

Boystown, NE 68010

800/448-3000

The Boys Town National Hotline is the only hotline that children and parents can call with any problem at any time: Spanish-speaking counselors available; translation services for 100+ languages; TTY line available for the hearing-impaired at 1-800-448-1833; Counselors can help find services and agencies in the callers' local community.

Childhelp USA, National Child Abuse Hotline

P.O. Box 630

Hollywood, CA 90028

800/422-4453 or 213/465-4014

Childhelp USA provides a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week national crisis hotline on child abuse and neglect. Childhelp USA is dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children. It does this by focusing its efforts and resources upon treatment, prevention, and research.

Children's Rights of America

8735 Dunwoody Place, Suite 6

Atlanta, GA 30350

770-442-7865

Children's Rights of America is a child advocacy and youth services organization that is a resource for rescuing a missing/abused child, desperately in trouble, from an impossible situation when all other avenues have failed.

Covenant House Nineline

346 W. 17th Street

New York, NY 10011-5002

800/999-9999

Covenant House is the largest privately-funded childcare agency in the United States providing shelter and service to homeless and runaway youth. In addition to food, shelter, clothing and crisis care, Covenant House provides a variety of services to homeless youth including health care, education, vocational preparation, drug abuse treatment and prevention programs, legal services, recreation, mother/child programs, transitional living programs, street outreach and aftercare.

National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)

1757 Park Road, NW

Washington, DC 20010

202/232-6682

nova@digex.net

The National Organization for Victim Assistance is a private non-profit organization of victim and witness assistance programs and practitioners, criminal justice agencies and professionals, mental health professionals, researchers, former victims and survivors, and others committed to the recognition and implementation of victim rights and services.

Parents Anonymous

675 W. Foothill Boulevard, Suite 220

Claremont, CA 91711

909/621-6184

parentsanonymous-nat@earthlink.net

Parents Anonymous is a nonprofit organization which remains dedicated to strengthening families with innovative strategies that promote mutual support and parent leadership.

Education/Prevention

American Humane Association

Children's Division

63 Inverness Drive, E

Englewood, CO 80112

800/227-4645 or 303/792-9900

children@amerhumane.org

The mission of the American Humane Association, as a network of individuals and organizations, is to prevent cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and animals and to assure that their interests and well-being are fully, effectively, and humanely guaranteed by an aware and caring society.

Child Welfare Information Gateway

U.S. Children's Bureau

1250 Maryland Avenue SW, Eighth Floor

Washington DC 20024

703/385-7565

800/394-3366 (toll free)

info@childwelfare.gov

Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, this service of the U.S. Children's Bureau provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

2102 Wilson Blvd., Suite 550

Arlington, VA 22201

800/843-5678 or 703/235-3900

ncmec@cis.compuserv.com

NCMEC is a nonprofit organization and is the nation's resource center for child protection.

National Children's Advocacy Center

200 Westside Square, Suite 700

Huntsville, AL 35801

205/534-6868

The National Children's Advocacy Center provides training and technical assistance to professionals working with victims of child sexual abuse as well as their families.

National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information

P.O. Box 1182

Washington, DC 20013-1182

800/394-3366 or 703/385-7565

Contact: Information Specialist

nccanch@calib.com

The Clearinghouse is a national resource for professionals seeking information on the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect and related child welfare issues.

National Committee for the Rights of the Child (NCRC)

125 Cathedral Street, First Floor

Annapolis, MD 21401

410/268-1544

The National Committee for the Rights of the Child was established to be a well coordinated coalition of organizations, individuals, businesses, and corporations whose goal is to improve the quality of life and development of children in America. NCRC gives primary emphasis to advancing respect and support for children's rights through education, information, monitoring, and advocacy projects.

National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse (NCPCA)

332 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600

Chicago, IL 60604

312/663-3520

ncpca@childabuse.org

NCPCA is a national, nonprofit, volunteer-based organization whose primary goal is to prevent child abuse. NCPCA is represented in all 50 states through a network of chapters.

National Education Association (NEA)

Professional Library

1201 16th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20036

202/833-4000

The National Education Association is nearly 2.5 million men and women working, in schools and colleges across the United States, to help all students achieve.

National Resource Center for Child Maltreatment

1349 W. Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 900

Atlanta, GA 30309

404/881-0707

nrccmcwi@aol.com

The National Resource Center for Child Maltreatment provides training, technical assistance, consultation, and information in response to identified needs which relate to the prevention, identification, intervention, and treatment of child abuse and neglect.

Legal Advice

For legal help, first contact your local lawyer referral services through your chapter of the American Bar Association. In addition, the following organizations may be able to put you in touch with legal assistance or advice.

American Bar Association (ABA), Center on Children and the Law

1800 M Street, NW

Washington, DC 20036

202/662-1720

ctrchildlaw@attmail.com

The ABA Center on Children and the Law is a full-service technical assistance, training, and research program addressing a broad spectrum of law and court-related topics affecting children. These include child abuse and neglect, adoption, adolescent health, foster and kinship care, custody and support, guardianship, missing and exploited children, and children's exposure to domestic violence.

National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse

American Prosecutors Research Institute

99 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 510

Alexandria, VA 22314

703/739-0312

National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse is a program of the American Prosecutors Research Institute aimed at responding to an increasing volume of reported child abuse. The National Center serves as a central resource for training, expert legal assistance, court reform and state-of-the-art information on criminal child abuse investigations and prosecutions.

NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund

99 Hudson Street

New York, NY 10013

212/925-6635

Contact: Intake Department

NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund continues to be at the center of every major social and economic justice concern on the women's rights agenda, defining the issues and bringing them to public attention. NOW Legal Defense pursues equality for women and girls in the workplace, the schools, the family and the courts, through litigation, education, and public information programs.

Domestic Violence

Family Violence Prevention Fund

383 Rhode Island Street, Suite 304

San Francisco, CA 94103-5133

415/252-8900

fund@igc.apc.org

The Family Violence Prevention Fund works to end domestic violence and help women and children whose lives are devastated by abuse, because every person has the right to live in a home free of violence.

National Resource Center for Domestic Violence: Child Protection and Custody

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

P.O. Box 8970

Reno, NV 89507

800/527-3223

The Council's increased awareness and sensitivity to children's issues and provide meaningful assistance to judges, court administrators and related professionals in whose care the concerns of children and their families have been entrusted.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

American Council for Drug Education

164 W. 74th Street

New York, NY 10023

800/488-DRUG or 212/595-5810 ext. 7860

The American Council for Drug Education is a substance abuse prevention and education agency that develops programs and materials based on the most current scientific research on drug use and its impact on society.

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information

P.O. Box 2345

Rockville, MD 20847-2345

800/729-6686

ncadi@health.org

The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) is the information service of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. NCADI is the world's largest resource for current information and materials concerning substance abuse.

National Parents Resource Institute on Drug Education (PRIDE)

3610 Decab Technology Pkwy., Suite 105

Atlanta, GA 30340

404/577-4500

PRIDE is the largest and oldest organization in the nation devoted to drug- and violence-free youth. With programs devoted to reach parents and youth at home, school and work, PRIDE has made significant contribution in communities across America and around the world.

Volunteer Opportunities

National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association

100 W. Harrison, Suite 500

North Tower

Seattle, WA 98199

800/628-3233 or 206/328-8588

staff@nationalcasa.org

Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are everyday people who are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children.

Sites you can contact in the UNITED KINGDOM...In Regional Alphabetical order

BARKING AND DAGENHAM

Code: 301 Chief Executive Officer: David Woods Director of Children's Services: Helen Jenner Address: London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

Town Hall

Broadway

Barking

Barking and Dagenham

IG11 7LU

Tel: 020 8227 3006 Email: enquiries@lbbd.gov.uk Website: www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk

BARNET

Code: 302 Chief Executive Officer: Nick Walkley Director of Children's Services: Robert McCulloch-Graham Address: London Borough of Barnet

The Town Hall

The Burroughs

Hendon

Barnet

NW4 4BG

Tel: 020 8359 2000 Fax: 020 8359 2197 Email: first.contact@barnet.gov.uk Website: www.barnet.gov.uk

BARNSLEY

Code: 370 Chief Executive Officer: Phil Coppard Director of Children's Services: Edna Sutton Address: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Barnsley

S70 2TA

Tel: 01226 770770 Fax: 01226 773099 Email: townhall@barnsley.gov.uk Website: www.barnsley.gov.uk

BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET

Code: 800 Chief Executive Officer: John Everitt Director of Children's Services: Ashley Ayre Address: Bath and North East Somerset Council, Guildhall

High Street

Bath

Bath and North East Somerset

BA1 5AW

Tel: 01225 477000 Fax: 01225 394011 Email: enquiries@bathnes.gov.uk Website: www.bathnes.gov.uk

BEDFORD BOROUGH

Code: 822 Chief Executive Officer: Philip Simpkins Director of Children's Services: Chris Hilliard Address: Bedford Borough Council

Borough Hall

Cauldwell Street

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK42 9AP

Fax: n/a Email: centralp@bedford.gov.uk Website: www.bedford.gov.uk

BEXLEY

Code: 303 Chief Executive Officer: Wil Tuckley Director of Children's Services: Deborah Absalom Address: London Borough of Bexley

Civic Offices

Broadway

Bexleyheath

Kent

DA6 7LB

Tel: 020 8303 7777 Email: customer.services@bexley.gov.uk Website: www.bexley.gov.uk

BIRMINGHAM

Code: 330 Chief Executive Officer: Stephen Hughes Director of Children's Services: Tony Howell Address: Birmingham City Council

Council House Extension, Margaret Street

Birmingham

Birmingham

B3 3BU

Tel: 0121 303 1111 Email: contact@birmingham.gov.uk Website: www.birmingham.gov.uk

BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN

Code: 889 Chief Executive Officer: Graham Burgess Director of Children's Services: Gladys Rhodes Address: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Town Hall

King William Street

Blackburn

Lancashire

BB1 7DY

Tel: 01254 585585 Email: info@blackburn.gov.uk Website: www.blackburn.gov.uk

BLACKPOOL

Code: 890 Chief Executive Officer: Steve Weaver Director of Children's Services: David Lund Address: Blackpool Borough Council

Blackpool Council

PO Box 50

Town Hall

Blackpool

Lancashire

FY1 1AD

Tel: 01253 477477 Email: customer.first@blackpool.gov.uk Website: www.blackpool.gov.uk

BOLTON

Code: 350 Chief Executive Officer: Sean Harriss Director of Children's Services: Margaret Asquith Address: Bolton Metro

Town Hall

Victoria Square

Bolton

Lancashire

BL1 1RU

Tel: 01204 333333 Fax: 01204 332228 Email: bolton@bolton.gov.uk Website: www.bolton.gov.uk

BOURNEMOUTH

Code: 837 Chief Executive Officer: Pam Donnellan Director of Children's Services: Jane Portman Address: Bournemouth Borough Council

Town Hall

Bourne Avenue

Bournemouth

Bournemouth

BH2 6DY

Tel: 01202 451451 Fax: 01202 451000 Email: enquiries@bournemouth.gov.uk Website: www.bournemouth.gov.uk

BRACKNELL FOREST

Code: 867 Chief Executive Officer: Timothy Wheadon Director of Children's Services: Martin Gocke Address: Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Easthampstead House

Town Square

Bracknell

Bracknell Forest

RH12 1AQ

Tel: 01344 352000 Email: customer.services@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Website: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk

BRADFORD

Code: 380 Chief Executive Officer: Tony Reeves Director of Children's Services: Kath Tunstall Address: City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

City Hall

Centenary Square

Bradford

Bradford

BD1 1HY

Tel: 01274 432111 Website: www.bradford.gov.uk

BRENT

Code: 304 Chief Executive Officer: Gareth Daniel Director of Children's Services: John Christie Address: London Borough of Brent

Brent Town Hall

Forty Lane

Wembley

Brent

HA9 9HD

Tel: 020 8937 1234 Email: customer.services@brent.gov.uk Website: www.brent.gov.uk

BRIGHTON AND HOVE

Code: 846 Chief Executive Officer: John Barradell Director of Children's Services: Jo Lyons Address: Brighton and Hove Council

Kings House

Grand Avenue

Hove

East Sussex

BN3 2LS

Tel: 01273 290000 Fax: 01273 292127 Email: amenitycontractsteam@brighton-hove.gov.uk Website: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

BRISTOL CITY OF

Code: 801 Chief Executive Officer: Jan Ormondroyd Director of Children's Services: Annie Hudson Address: Bristol City Council

The Council House

College Green

Bristol

Bristol, City of

BS99 7EB

Tel: 0117 9222000 Email: customer.services@bristol.gov.uk Website: www.bristol.gov.uk

BROMLEY

Code: 305 Chief Executive Officer: Doug Patterson Director of Children's Services: Gillian Pearson Address: London Borough of Bromley

Civic Centre

Stockwell Close

Bromley

Bromley

BR1 3UH

Tel: 020 8464 3333 Fax: 020 8313 4707 Email: info@bromley.gov.uk Website: www.bromley.gov.uk

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Code: 825 Chief Executive Officer: Chris M Williams Director of Children's Services: Sue Imbriano Address: Buckinghamshire County Council

County Hall

Walton Street

Aylesbury

Buckinghamshire

HP20 1UA

Tel: 01296 395000 Fax: 01296 383367 Email: customerservices@buckscc.gov.uk Website: customerservices@buckscc.gov.uk

BURY

Code: 351 Chief Executive Officer: Mark Sanders Director of Children's Services: Eleni Ioannides Address: Bury Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Knowsley Street

Bury

Lancashire

BL9 0SW

Tel: 0161 253 5000 Email: info@bury.gov.uk Website: www.bury.gov.uk

CALDERDALE

Code: 381 Chief Executive Officer: Owen Williams Director of Children's Services: Janet Donaldson Address: Calderdale Metropolitan, Borough Council

Town Hall

Crossley Street

Halifax

Calderdale

HX1 1UJ

Tel: 01422 357257 Email: chiefexecutive@calderdale.gov.uk Website: www.calderdale.gov.uk

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Code: 873 Chief Executive Officer: Antoinette Jackson Director of Children's Services: Adrian Loades Address: Cambridgeshire County Council

Castle Court

Shire Hall

Castle Hill

Cambridge

Cambridgeshire

CB3 0AP

Tel: 034 5045 5222 Fax: 012 2371 7201 Email: info@cambridgeshire.gov.uk Website: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk

CAMDEN

Code: 202 Chief Executive Officer: Moira Gibb Director of Children's Services: Ann Baxter Address: London Borough of Camden

Camden Town Hall

Judd Street

London

Camden

WC1H 9JE

Tel: 020 7278 4444 Email: info@camden.gov.uk Website: www.camden.gov.uk

CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

Code: 823 Chief Executive Officer: Richard Carr Director of Children's Services: Edwina Grant Address: Priory House

Monks Walk

Chicksands

Shefford

Bedfordshire

SG17 5TQ

Tel: 0300 300 8000 Fax: n/a Email: customer.services@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk Website: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

CHESHIRE EAST

Code: 895 Chief Executive Officer: Erika Wenzel Director of Children's Services: John Weeks Address: Cheshire East Council

Westfields

Middlewich Road

Sandbach

Cheshire

CW11 1HZ

Tel: 01244 602424 Email: info@cheshireeast.gov.uk Website: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/

CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER

Code: 896 Chief Executive Officer: Steve Robinson Director of Children's Services: John Stephens Address: Cheshire West and Chester Council

County Hall

Chester

Cheshire

CH1 1SF

Tel: 0300 123 8 123 Fax: n/a Email: enquiries@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk Website: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

CITY OF LONDON

Code: 201 Chief Executive Officer: Chris Duffield Director of Children's Services: Joy Hollister Address: Corporation of London

PO Box 270

Guildhall

London

City of London

EC2P 2EJ

Tel: 020 7332 1750 Fax: 020 7332 1621 Email: COL-EB-TC@cityoflondon.gov.uk Website: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

CORNWALL

Code: 908 Chief Executive Officer: Kevin Lavery Director of Children's Services: Trevor Doughty Address: Cornwall Council

County Hall

Treyew Road

Truro

Cornwall

TR1 3AY

Tel: 0300 1234 100 Fax: n/a Email: enquiries@cornwall.gov.uk Website: www.cornwall.gov.uk

COVENTRY

Code: 331 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Reeves Director of Children's Services: Colin Green Address: Coventry City Council

Council House

Earl Street

Coventry

Coventry

CV1 5RR

Tel: 024 7683 3333 Email: coventrydirect@coventry.gov.uk Website: www.coventry.gov.uk

CROYDON

Code: 306 Chief Executive Officer: Jon Rouse Director of Children's Services: Dave Hill Address: London Borough of Croydon

Taberner House

Park Lane

Croydon

Croydon

CR9 3JS

Tel: 020 8686 4433 Email: contact.thecouncil@croydon.gov.uk Website: www.croydon.gov.uk

CUMBRIA

Code: 909 Chief Executive Officer: Jill Stannard Director of Children's Services: Moira Swann Address: Cumbria County Council

The Courts

Carlisle

Cumbria

CA3 8NA

Tel: 01228 606060 Fax: 01228 606327 Email: information@cumbriacc.gov.uk Website: www.cumbria.gov.uk

DARLINGTON

Code: 841 Chief Executive Officer: Ada Burns Director of Children's Services: Mr. Murray Rose Address: Darlington Borough Council, Town Hall

Feethams

Darlington

Durham

DL1 5QT

Tel: 01325 380651 Email: enquiries@darlington.gov.uk Website: www.darlington.gov.uk

DERBY

Code: 831 Chief Executive Officer: Adam Wilkinson Director of Children's Services: Ros Vahey Address: Derby City Council

The Council House

Corporation Street

Derby

Derby, City of

DE1 2FS

Tel: 01332 293 111 Email: customerservices@derby.gov.uk Website: www.derby.gov.uk

DERBYSHIRE

Code: 830 Chief Executive Officer: Nick Hodgson Director of Children's Services: Bruce Buckley Address: Derbyshire County Council

County Hall

Matlock

Derbyshire

Derbyshire

DE4 3AG

Tel: 08 456 058 058 Fax: 01629 585995 Email: call.centre@derbyshire.gov.uk Website: www.derbyshire.gov.uk

DEVON

Code: 878 Chief Executive Officer: Dr Phil Norrey Director of Children's Services: Anne Whiteley Address: Devon County Council

County Hall

Topsham Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 4QD

Tel: 01392 382000 Email: info@devon.gov.uk Website: www.devon.gov.uk

DONCASTER

Code: 371 Chief Executive Officer: Rob Vincent Director of Children's Services: Chris Pratt Address: Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

2 Priory Place

Doncaster

Doncaster

DN1 1NB

Tel: 01302 734444 Email: askus@doncaster.gov.uk Website: www.doncaster.gov.uk

DORSET

Code: 835 Chief Executive Officer: David Jenkins Director of Children's Services: John Nash Address: Dorset County Council

County Hall

Colliton Park

Dorchester

Dorset

Dorset

DT1 1XJ

Tel: 01305 221000 Email: childrensservices@dorsetcc.gov.uk Website: www.dorsetforyou.com

DUDLEY

Code: 332 Chief Executive Officer: John Polychronakis Director of Children's Services: Mark Wyatt Address: Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Council House

Priory Road

Dudley

Dudley

DY1 1HF

Tel: 01384 812345 Email: dudleycouncilplus@dudley.gov.uk Website: www.dudley.gov.uk

DURHAM

Code: 840 Chief Executive Officer: George Garlick Director of Children's Services: David Williams Address: Durham County Council

County Hall

Durham

DH1 5UL

Tel: 0191 383 3000 Website: www.durham.gov.uk

EALING

Code: 307 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Smith Director of Children's Services: David Archibald Address: London Borough of Ealing

Perceval House

14-16 Uxbridge Road

Ealing

London

Ealing

W5 2HL

Tel: 020 8825 5000 Email: AppsE@ealing.gov.uk Website: www.ealing.gov.uk

EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE

Code: 811 Chief Executive Officer: Nigel Pearson Director of Children's Services: Alison Michalska Address: East Riding of Yorkshire Council

County Hall

Beverley

East Riding of Yorkshire

HU17 9BA

Tel: 01482 393939 Fax: 01482 393375 Email: customer.services@eastriding.gov.uk Website: www.eastriding.gov.uk

EAST SUSSEX

Code: 845 Chief Executive Officer: Becky Shaw Director of Children's Services: Matt Dunkley Address: East Sussex County Council

County Hall

St Anne's Crescent

Lewes

East Sussex

BN7 1SG

Tel: 01273 481000 Fax: 01273 481261 Website: www.eastsussex.gov.uk

ENFIELD

Code: 308 Chief Executive Officer: Rob Leak Director of Children's Services: Andrew Fraser Address: London Borough of Enfield

Civic Centre

Silver Street

Enfield

Enfield

EN1 3XY

Tel: 020 8379 1000 Fax: 020 8379 4453 Website: www.enfield.gov.uk

ESSEX

Code: 881 Chief Executive Officer: Joanna Killian Director of Children's Services: Malcolm Newsam Address: Essex County Council

County Hall

Market Road

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 1LX

Tel: 08457 430 430 Website: www.essexcc.gov.uk

GATESHEAD

Code: 390 Chief Executive Officer: Roger Kelly Director of Children's Services: Margaret Whellans Address: Gateshead Council

Civic Centre

Regent Street

Gateshead

Durham

NE8 1HH

Tel: 0191 433 3000 Email: shirleyfaulkner@gateshead.gov.uk Website: www.gateshead.gov.uk

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Code: 916 Chief Executive Officer: Peter Bungard Director of Children's Services: Linda Uren Address: Gloucestershire County Council

Shire Hall

Westgate Street

Gloucester

Gloucestershire

GL1 2TG

Tel: 01452 425000 Email: CDCYPhelpline@gloucestershire.gov.uk Website: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk

GREENWICH

Code: 203 Chief Executive Officer: Mary Ney Director of Children's Services: Gillian Palmer Address: London Borough of Greenwich

Town Hall

Wellington Street

London

Greenwich

SE18 6PW

Tel: 020 8854 8888 Fax: 020 8921 8228 Email: jan.jackson@greenwich.gov.uk Website: www.greenwich.gov.uk

HACKNEY

Code: 204 Chief Executive Officer: Tim Shields Director of Children's Services: Alan Wood Address: London Borough of Hackney

Hackney Town Hall

Mare Street

London

Hackney

E8 1EA

Tel: 020 8356 3000 Fax: 020 8356 2080 Email: info@hackney.gov.uk Website: www.hackney.gov.uk

HALTON

Code: 876 Chief Executive Officer: David Parr Director of Children's Services: Gerald Meehan Address: Halton Borough Council

Municipal Building

Kingsway

Widnes

Halton

WA8 7QA

Tel: 0151 907 8300 Website: www.halton.gov.uk

HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM

Code: 205 Chief Executive Officer: Geoff Alltimes Director of Children's Services: Andrew Christie Address: London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

Town Hall

King Street

Hammersmith

London

Hammersmith and Fulham

W6 9JU

Tel: 020 8748 3020 Email: information@lbhf.gov.uk Website: www.lbhf.gov.uk

HAMPSHIRE

Code: 850 Chief Executive Officer: Andrew J Smith Director of Children's Services: John Coughlan Address: Hampshire County Council

The Castle

Winchester

Hampshire

Hampshire

SO23 8UJ

Tel: 084 5603 5638 Email: info.centres@hants.gov.uk Website: www.hants.gov.uk

HARINGEY

Code: 309 Chief Executive Officer: Dr Ita O'Donovan Director of Children's Services: Peter Lewis Address: Haringey Council

River Park House

5th Floor

225 High Road

London

Haringey

N22 8HQ

Tel: 020 8489 0000 Fax: 020 8489 3864 Email: Customer.Services@Haringey.gov.uk Website: www.haringey.gov.uk

HARROW

Code: 310 Chief Executive Officer: Michael Lockwood Director of Children's Services: Catherine Doran Address: London Borough of Harrow

Civic Centre

PO Box 57

Station Road

Harrow

Harrow

HA1 2XF

Tel: 020 8863 5611 Email: info@harrow.gov.uk Website: www.harrow.gov.uk

HARTLEPOOL

Code: 805 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Walker Director of Children's Services: Nicola Bailey Address: Hartlepool Borough Council

Civic Centre

Victoria Road

Hartlepool

Durham

TS24 8AY

Tel: 01429 266522 Fax: 01429 523777 Email: portal.master@hartlepool.gov.uk Website: www.hartlepool.gov.uk

HAVERING

Code: 311 Chief Executive Officer: Cheryl Coppell Director of Children's Services: Andrew Ireland Address: London Borough of Havering

Town Hall

Main Road

Romford

Havering

RM1 3BB

Tel: 01708 434343 Fax: 01708 432428 Email: info@havering.gov.uk Website: www.havering.gov.uk

HEREFORDSHIRE

Code: 884 Chief Executive Officer: Chris Bull Director of Children's Services: David Sanders Address: Herefordshire Council

Brockington

35 Hafod Road

Hereford

Herefordshire

HR1 1SH

Tel: 01432 260000 Fax: 01432 260957 Email: info@herefordshire.gov.uk Website: www.herefordshire.gov.uk

HERTFORDSHIRE

Code: 919 Chief Executive Officer: Caroline Tapster Director of Children's Services: John Harris Address: Hertfordshire County Council

County Hall

Pegs Lane

Hertford

Hertfordshire

SG13 8DQ

Tel: 01438 737555 Email: hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk Website: www.hertscc.gov.uk

HILLINGDON

Code: 312 Chief Executive Officer: Hugh Dunnachie Director of Children's Services: Chris Spencer Address: London Borough of Hillingdon

Civic Centre

High Street

Uxbridge

Middlesex

Hillingdon

UB8 1UW

Tel: 01895 250111 Fax: 01895 273636 Email: contactcentre1@hillingdon.gov.uk Website: www.hillingdon.gov.uk

HOUNSLOW

Code: 313 Chief Executive Officer: Michael Frater Director of Children's Services: Judith Pettersen Address: London Borough of Hounslow

Civic Centre

Lampton Road

Hounslow

Middlesex

Hounslow

TW3 4DN

Tel: 020 8583 2000 Email: webteam@hounslow.gov.uk Website: www.hounslow.gov.uk

ISLE OF WIGHT

Code: 921 Chief Executive Officer: Steve Beynon Director of Children's Services: Colin Peak Address: Isle of Wight Council

County Hall

High Street

Newport

Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight

PO30 1UD

Tel: 01983 821000 Email: customer.services@iow.gov.uk Website: www.iwight.gov.uk

ISLES OF SCILLY

Code: 420 Chief Executive Officer: Philip Hygate Director of Children's Services: As above Address: Council of the Isles of Scilly

Town Hall

St Mary's

Isles of Scilly

Isles of Scilly

TR21 0LW

Tel: 01720 422537 Fax: 01720 424017 Email: phygate@scilly.gov.uk Website: www.scilly.gov.uk

ISLINGTON

Code: 206 Chief Executive Officer: John Foster Director of Children's Services: Eleanor Schooling Address: London Borough of Islington

Islington Town Hall

Upper Street

London

Islington

N1 2UD

Tel: 020 7527 2000 Fax: 020 7527 5001 Email: contact@islington.gov.uk Website: www.islington.gov.uk

KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA

Code: 207 Chief Executive Officer: Derek Myers Director of Children's Services: Anne Marie Carrie Address: The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

The Town Hall

Hornton Street

London

Kensington and Chelsea

W8 7NX

Tel: 020 7361 3000 Fax: 020 7938 1445 Email: information@rbkc.gov.uk Website: www.rbkc.gov.uk

KENT

Code: 886 Chief Executive Officer: katherine Kerswell Director of Children's Services: Rosalind Turner Address: Kent County Council

County Hall

Maidstone

Kent

Kent

ME14 1XQ

Tel: 08458 247 247 Fax: 01622 694091 Email: county.hall@kent.gov.uk Website: www.kent.gov.uk

KINGSTON UPON HULL

Code: 810 Chief Executive Officer: Nicola Yates Director of Children's Services: Nigel Richardson Address: Hull City Council

Guildhall

Alfred Gelder Street

Hull

Kingston Upon Hull, City of

HU1 2AA

Tel: 01482 300 300 Email: info@hullcc.gov.uk Website: www.hullcc.gov.uk

KINGSTON UPON THAMES

Code: 314 Chief Executive Officer: Bruce McDonald Director of Children's Services: Duncan Clark Address: The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

High Street

Kingston upon Thames

Kingston Upon Thames

KT1 1EU

Tel: 020 8547 5757 Fax: 020 8547 5012 Email: bruce.mcdonald@rbk.kingston.gov.uk Website: www.kingston.gov.uk

KIRKLEES

Code: 382 Chief Executive Officer: Adrian Lythgo Director of Children's Services: Alison O Sullivan Address: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Civic Centre 3

Market Street

Huddersfield

Kirklees

HD1 1WG

Tel: 01484 221000 Fax: 01484 225264 Email: customer.relations@kirklees.gov.uk Website: www.kirklees.gov.uk

KNOWSLEY

Code: 340 Chief Executive Officer: Sheena Ramsey Director of Children's Services: Damian Allen Address: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Municipal Buildings

Cherryfield Drive

Kirkby

Knowsley

Knowsley

L32 1TX

Tel: 0151 489 6000 Email: customerservices@knowsley.gov.uk Website: www.knowsley.gov.uk

LAMBETH

Code: 208 Chief Executive Officer: Derrick Anderson Director of Children's Services: Debbie Jones Address: London Borough of Lambeth

Town Hall

Brixton Hill

London

Lambeth

SW2 1RW

Tel: 020 7926 1000 Email: danderson@lambeth.gov.uk Website: www.lambeth.gov.uk

LANCASHIRE

Code: 888 Chief Executive Officer: Ged Fitzgerald Director of Children's Services: Helen Denton Address: Lancashire County Council

PO Box 78

County Hall

Fishergate

Preston

Lancashire

PR1 8XJ

Tel: 0845 053 0000 Fax: 01772 533553 Email: enquiries@css.lancscc.gov.uk Website: www.lancashire.gov.uk

LEEDS

Code: 383 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Rogerson Director of Children's Services: Clair Pyper Address: Leeds City Council

Civic Hall

Calverley Street

Leeds

Leeds

LS1 1UR

Tel: 0113 234 8080 Email: onestop@leeds.gov.uk Website: www.leeds.gov.uk

LEICESTER

Code: 856 Chief Executive Officer: Sheila Lock Director of Children's Services: Rachel Dickinson Address: Leicester City Council

New Walk Centre

Welford Place

Leicester

Leicester City

LE1 6ZG

Tel: 0116 254 9922 Email: sheila.lock@leicester.gov.uk Website: www.leicester.gov.uk

LEICESTERSHIRE

Code: 855 Chief Executive Officer: John Sinnott Director of Children's Services: Gareth Williams Address: Leicestershire County Council

County Hall

Glenfield

Leicester

Leicestershire

LE3 8RA

Tel: 0116 232 3232 Fax: 0116 265 6260 Email: chiefexecs@leics.gov.uk Website: www.leics.gov.uk

LEWISHAM

Code: 209 Chief Executive Officer: Barry Quirk Director of Children's Services: Frankie Sulke Address: London Borough of Lewisham

Town Hall

Catford

London

Lewisham

SE6 4RU

Tel: 020 8314 6000 Website: www.lewisham.gov.uk

LINCOLNSHIRE

Code: 925 Chief Executive Officer: Tony McArdle Director of Children's Services: Peter Duxbury Address: Lincolnshire County Council

County Offices

Newland

Lincoln

Lincolnshire

LN1 1YL

Tel: 01522 782060 Fax: 01522 515137 Email: customer_services@lincolnshire.gov.uk Website: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk

LIVERPOOL

Code: 341 Chief Executive Officer: David McElhinney Director of Children's Services: Stuart Smith Address: Liverpool City Council

Municipal Buildings

Dale St

Liverpool

Lancashire

L69 2DH

Tel: 0151 233 3000 Email: liverpool.direct@liverpool.gov.uk Website: www.liverpool.gov.uk

LUTON

Code: 821 Chief Executive Officer: Trevor Holden Director of Children's Services: Jenny Coles Address: Luton Borough Council

Town Hall

George Street

Luton

Bedfordshire

LU1 2BQ

Tel: 01582 546000 Email: feedback@luton.gov.uk Website: www.luton.gov.uk

MANCHESTER

Code: 352 Chief Executive Officer: Sir Howard Bernstein Director of Children's Services: Pauline Newman Address: Chief Executives Department

Manchester City Council

Town hall

Albert Square,
Manchester,
M60 2LA

Manchester

Lancashire

M60 2LA

Tel: 0161 2345000 Email: city.council@manchester.gov.uk Website: www.manchester.gov.uk

MEDWAY

Code: 887 Chief Executive Officer: Neil Davies Director of Children's Services: Rose Collinson Address: Medway Council

Civic Centre

Strood

Rochester

Kent

Medway

ME2 4AU

Tel: 01634 333333 Email: info@medway.gov.uk Website: www.medway.gov.uk

MERTON

Code: 315 Chief Executive Officer: Ged Curran Director of Children's Services: Helen Lincoln Address: London Borough of Merton

Merton Civic Centre

London Road

Morden

Surrey

Merton

SM4 5DX

Tel: 020 8274 4901 Fax: 020 8545 0446 Email: just.ask@merton.gov.uk Website: www.merton.gov.uk

MIDDLESBROUGH

Code: 806 Chief Executive Officer: Ian Parker Director of Children's Services: Gill Rollings Address: Middlesbrough Council

PO Box 99A

Town Hall

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough

TS1 2QQ

Tel: 01642 245432 Email: webmaster@middlesbrough.gov.uk Website: www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

MILTON KEYNES

Code: 826 Chief Executive Officer: David Hill Director of Children's Services: Gail Tolley Address: Milton Keynes Council

Civic Offices

1 Saxon Gate East

Central Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes

MK9 3HQ

Tel: 01908 691691 Fax: 01908 253289 Email: info@milton-keynes.gov.uk Website: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

Code: 391 Chief Executive Officer: Ian Stratford Director of Children's Services: John Collings Address: Newcastle City Council

Civic Centre

Newcastle

Newcastle Upon Tyne

NE99 2BN

Tel: 0191 232 8520 Fax: 0191 211 4941 Website: www.newcastle.gov.uk

NEWHAM

Code: 316 Chief Executive Officer: Joe Duckworth Director of Children's Services: Mr Kim Bromley Derry Address: London Borough of Newham

Barking Road

East Ham

London

Newham

E6 2RP

Tel: 020 8430 2000 Fax: 020 8430 2522 Website: www.newham.gov.uk

NORFOLK

Code: 926 Chief Executive Officer: David White Director of Children's Services: Lisa Christensen Address: Norfolk County Council

County Hall

Martineau Lane

Norwich

Norfolk

NR1 2DH

Tel: 0844 800 8020 Fax: 0844 800 8012 Email: information@norfolk.gov.uk Website: www.norfolk.gov.uk

NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE

Code: 812 Chief Executive Officer: George Krawiec Director of Children's Services: Barbara Hughes Address: North East Lincolnshire

Municipal Offices

Town Hall Square

Grimsby

North East Lincolnshire

DN31 1HU

Tel: 01472 313131 Fax: 01472 323020 Email: ChiefExec@nelincs.gov.uk Website: www.nelincs.gov.uk

NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE

Code: 813 Chief Executive Officer: Simon Driver Director of Children's Services: Denise Hyde Address: North Lincolnshire Council

Pittwood House

Ashby Road

Scunthorpe

North Lincolnshire

North Lincolnshire

DN16 1AB

Tel: 01724 296296 Fax: 01724 296296 Email: customerservice@northlincs.gov.uk Website: www.northlincs.gov.uk

NORTH SOMERSET

Code: 802 Chief Executive Officer: Graham Turner Director of Children's Services: Sheila Smith Address: North Somerset Council

Town Hall

Walliscote Grove Road

Weston-super-Mare

Somerset

North Somerset

BS23 1UJ

Tel: 01934 888888 Fax: 01934 418194 Email: comments@n-somerset.gov.uk Website: www.n-somerset.gov.uk

NORTH TYNESIDE

Code: 392 Chief Executive Officer: John Marsden Director of Children's Services: Steve Rutland Address: North Tyneside Council

Quadrant

The Silverlink North

Cobalt Business Park

North Tyneside

NE27 0BY

Tel: 0191 643 8001 Fax:

NORTH YORKSHIRE

Code: 815 Chief Executive Officer: Richard Flinton Director of Children's Services: Cynthia Welbourne Address: North Yorkshire County Council

County Hall

Northallerton

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

DL7 8AD

Tel: 01609 780780 Fax: 01609 778199 Email: chief.exec@northyorks.gov.uk Website: www.northyorks.gov.uk

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Code: 928 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Blantern Director of Children's Services: Paul Burnett Address: Northamptonshire County Council

County Hall

Northampton

Northamptonshire

NN1 1DN

Tel: 01604 236236 Fax: 01604 236652 Email: citizensfirst@northamptonshire.gov.uk Website: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk

NORTHUMBERLAND

Code: 929 Chief Executive Officer: Steve Stewart Director of Children's Services: Paul Moffat Address: Northumberland County Council

County Hall

Morpeth

Northumberland

NE61 2EF

Tel: 01670 533000 Fax: 01670 533750 Website: www.northumberland.gov.uk

NOTTINGHAM

Code: 892 Chief Executive Officer: Jane Todd Director of Children's Services: Ian Curryer Address: Sandfield Centre

Sandfield Road

Lenton

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG7 1QH

Tel: 0115 915 5555 Fax: 0115 9154580 Email: customer.services@nottinghamcity.gov.uk Website: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Code: 891 Chief Executive Officer: Mick Burrows Director of Children's Services: Anthony May Address: Nottinghamshire County Council

County Hall

West Bridgford

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG2 7QP

Tel: 0115 982 3823 Fax: 0115 981 2824 Email: info@nottscc.gov.uk Website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

OLDHAM

Code: 353 Chief Executive Officer: Charlie Parker Director of Children's Services: Michael Jameson Address: Oldham Council

Civic Centre

West Street

Oldham

Greater Manchester

OL1 1UG

Tel: 0161 770 4193 Email: janet.donaldson@oldham.gov.uk Website: www.oldham.gov.uk

OXFORDSHIRE

Code: 931 Chief Executive Officer: Joanna Simons Director of Children's Services: Meena Spillett Address: Oxfordshire County Council

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

Oxfordshire

OX1 1ND

Tel: 01865 792422 Fax: 01865 815224 Email: online@oxfordshire.gov.uk Website: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

PETERBOROUGH

Code: 874 Chief Executive Officer: Gillian Beasley Director of Children's Services: John Richards Address: Peterborough City Council

Town Hall

Bridge Street

Peterborough

Northamptonshire

PE1 1HL

Tel: 01733 747474 Fax: 01733 452645 Email: ask@peterborough.gov.uk Website: www.peterborough.gov.uk

PLYMOUTH

Code: 879 Chief Executive Officer: Barry Keel Director of Children's Services: Browen Lacey Address: Plymouth City Council

Civic Centre

Plymouth

Plymouth, City of

PL1 2AA

Tel: 01752 668000 Fax: 01752 304880 Email: enquiries@plymouth.gov.uk Website: www.plymouth.gov.uk

POOLE

Code: 836 Chief Executive Officer: John McBride Director of Children's Services: Anne Newton Address: Borough of Poole Council

Civic Centre

Poole

Dorset

Poole

BH15 2RU

Tel: 01202 633633 Email: enquiries@boroughofpoole.com Website: www.poole.gov.uk

PORTSMOUTH

Code: 851 Chief Executive Officer: David Williams Director of Children's Services: Julian Wooster Address: Portsmouth City Council

Civic Offices

Guildhall Square

Portsmouth

Portsmouth

PO1 2BG

Tel: 023 92822251 Email: general@portsmouthcc.gov.uk Website: www.portsmouth.gov.uk

READING

Code: 870 Chief Executive Officer: Dave Peasley Director of Children's Services: Anna Wright Address: Reading Borough Council

Civic Centre

Reading

Reading

RG1 7TD

Tel: 0118 939 0900 Fax: 0118 958 9770 Website: www.reading.gov.uk

REDBRIDGE

Code: 317 Chief Executive Officer: Roger Hampson Director of Children's Services: Pat Reynolds Address: London Borough of Redbridge

Town Hall

PO Box 2

Ilford

Redbridge

IG1 1DD

Tel: 020 8554 5000 Email: customer.cc@redbridge.gov.uk Website: www.redbridge.gov.uk

REDCAR AND CLEVELAND

Code: 807 Chief Executive Officer: Amanda Skelton Director of Children's Services: Mike Dillon Address: Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

Town Hall

South Bank

Redcar and Cleveland

TS6 9AR

Tel: 01642 774774 Website: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

RICHMOND UPON THAMES

Code: 318 Chief Executive Officer: Gillian Norton Director of Children's Services: Nick Whitfield Address: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Civic Centre

44, York Street

Twickenham

Richmond Upon Thames

TW1 3BZ

Tel: 020 8891 1411 Email: customer.services@richmond.gov.uk Website: www.richmond.gov.uk

ROCHDALE

Code: 354 Chief Executive Officer: Roger Ellis Director of Children's Services: Cheryl Eastwood Address: Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

PO Box 70

Municipal Offices

Smith Street

Rochdale

Greater Manchester

OL16 1YD

Tel: 01706 647474 Email: council@rochdale.gov.uk Website: www.rochdale.gov.uk

ROTHERHAM

Code: 372 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Kimber Director of Children's Services: Joyce Thacker Address: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Eric Manns Building

45 Moorgate Street

Rotherham

South Yorkshire

Rotherham

S60 2RB

Tel: 01709 382121 Website: www.rotherham.gov.uk

RUTLAND

Code: 857 Chief Executive Officer: Helen Briggs Director of Children's Services: Carol Chambers Address: Rutland County Council

Catmose

Oakham

Rutland

Rutland

LE15 6HP

Tel: 01572 722577 Fax: 01572 758307 Email: enquiries@rutland.gov.uk Website: www.rutland.gov.uk

SALFORD

Code: 355 Chief Executive Officer: Barbara Spicer Director of Children's Services: Nick Page Address: Salford City Council

Civic Centre

Chorley Road

Swinton

Salford

Greater Manchester

M27 5DA

Tel: 0161 794 4711 Email: information.centre@salford.gov.uk Website: www.salford.gov.uk

SANDWELL

Code: 333 Chief Executive Officer: Allison Fraser Director of Children's Services: Barbara Peacock Address: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Shaftesbury House

402 High Street

West Bromwich

Sandwell

B70 9LY

Tel: 0121 569 8204 Fax: 0121 569 8324 Email: childrenand_youngpeoplesservices@sandwell.gov.uk Website: www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk

SEFTON

Code: 343 Chief Executive Officer: Margaret Carney Director of Children's Services: Peter Morgan Address: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Southport

Sefton

PR8 1DA

Tel: 0845 140 0845 Email: contact@sefton.gov.uk Website: www.sefton.gov.uk

SHEFFIELD

Code: 373 Chief Executive Officer: Sir Robert Kerslake Director of Children's Services: Sonia Sharp Address: Sheffield City Council

Town Hall

Surrey Street

Sheffield

Sheffield

S1 2HH

Tel: 0114 272 6444 Email: firstpoint@sheffield.gov.uk Website: www.sheffield.gov.uk

SHROPSHIRE

Code: 893 Chief Executive Officer: Mr. Kim Ryley Director of Children's Services: David Taylor Address: Shropshire County Council

Shirehall

Abbey Foregate

Shrewsbury

Shropshire

Shropshire

SY2 6ND

Tel: 0845 678 9000 Fax: 01743 252827 Website: www.shropshire-cc.gov.uk

SLOUGH

Code: 871 Chief Executive Officer: Ruth Bagley Director of Children's Services: Clair Pyper Address: Slough Borough Council

Town Hall

Bath Road

Slough

Slough

SL1 3UQ

Tel: 01753 475111 Email: enquiries@slough.gov.uk Website: www.slough.gov.uk

SOLIHULL

Code: 334 Chief Executive Officer: Mark Rogers Director of Children's Services: Vanessa Bishop Address: Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

PO Box 20

Council House

Solihull

West Midlands

Solihull

B91 3QU

Tel: 0121 704 6000 Fax: 0121 704 6114 Email: customer@solihull.gov.uk Website: www.solihull.gov.uk

SOMERSET

Code: 933 Chief Executive Officer: Sheila Wheeler Director of Children's Services: David Taylor Address: Somerset County Council

County Hall

Taunton

Somerset

Somerset

TA1 4DY

Tel: 0845 345 9166 Fax: 01823 355332 Email: djtaylor@somerset.gov.uk Website: www.somerset.gov.uk

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Code: 803 Chief Executive Officer: Amanda Deeks Director of Children's Services: Therese Gillespie Address: South Gloucestershire Council

The Council Offices

Castle Street

Thornbury

South Gloucestershire

South Gloucestershire

BS35 1HF

Tel: 01454 868009 Fax: 01454 863855 Website: www.southglos.gov.uk

SOUTH TYNESIDE

Code: 393 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Swales Director of Children's Services: Helen Watson Address: South Tyneside Council

Town Hall & Civic Offices, Westoe Road

South Shields

Tyne and Wear

South Tyneside

NE33 2RL

Tel: 0191 427 1717 Website: www.southtyneside.info

SOUTHAMPTON

Code: 852 Chief Executive Officer: Brad Roynon Director of Children's Services: Clive Webster Address: Southampton City Council

Civic Centre

Southampton

Southampton

SO14 7LY

Tel: 023 8022 3855 Email: gateway@southampton.gov.uk Website: www.southampton.gov.uk

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

Code: 882 Chief Executive Officer: Robert Tinlin Director of Children's Services: Paul Greenhalgh Address: Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

Civic Centre

Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-Sea

Essex

SS2 6ER

Tel: 01702 215000 Website: www.southend.gov.uk

SOUTHWARK

Code: 210 Chief Executive Officer: Annie Shepperd Director of Children's Services: Romi Bowen Address: London Borough of Southwark, Town Hall

Peckham Road

London

Southwark

SE5 8UB

Tel: 020 7525 5050 Email: webinfo@southwark.gov.uk Website: www.southwark.gov.uk

ST HELENS

Code: 342 Chief Executive Officer: Carole Hudson Director of Children's Services: Susan Richardson Address: St Helens Council

Town Hall

Victoria Square

St Helens

Merseyside

WA10 1HP

Tel: 01744 456789 Email: contactcentre@sthelens.gov.uk Website: www.sthelens.gov.uk

STAFFORDSHIRE

Code: 860 Chief Executive Officer: Nick Bell Director of Children's Services: Sally Rees Address: Staffordshire County Council

Chief Executive's Office

PO Box 11

County Buildings

Stafford

Staffordshire

ST16 2LH

Tel: 01785 223121 Fax: 01785 215153 Website: www.staffordshire.gov.uk

STOCKPORT

Code: 356 Chief Executive Officer: Eamonn Boylan Director of Children's Services: Andrew Webb Address: Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Stockport

Cheshire

SK1 3XE

Tel: 0161 480 4949 Email: stockport.council@stockport.gov.uk Website: www.stockport.gov.uk

STOCKTON-ON-TEES

Code: 808 Chief Executive Officer: Neil Schneider Director of Children's Services: Jane Humphreys Address: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Municipal Buildings

PO Box 11

Church Road

Stockton-on-Tees

Stockton-on-tees

TS18 1LD

Tel: 01642 393939 Email: member.services@stockton.gov.uk Website: www.stockton.gov.uk

STOKE-ON-TRENT

Code: 861 Chief Executive Officer: John van de Laarschot Director of Children's Services: Sharon Menghini Address: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Civic Centre

Glebe Street

Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent

ST4 1RN

Tel: 01782 234567 Email: enquiries@stoke.gov.uk Website: www.stoke.gov.uk

SUFFOLK

Code: 935 Chief Executive Officer: Andrea Hill Director of Children's Services: Simon White Address: Suffolk County Council

Endeavor House

8,Russell Road

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP1 2BX

Tel: 0845 606 6067 Email: customerservice@csduk.com Website: www.suffolk.gov.uk

SUNDERLAND

Code: 394 Chief Executive Officer: G. Fitzgerald Director of Children's Services: Dr. Helen Paterson Address: Sunderland City Council

PO Box 100

Civic Centre

Burdon Road

Sunderland

Tyne and Wear

SR2 7DN

Tel: 0191 520 5555 Fax: 0191 553 1020 Email: enquiries@sunderland.gov.uk Website: www.sunderland.gov.uk

SURREY

Code: 936 Chief Executive Officer: David McNulty Director of Children's Services: Andy Roberts Address: Surrey County Council

Penrhyn Road

Kingston upon Thames

Surrey

KT1 2DJ

Tel: 08456 009 009 Fax: 020 8541 9004 Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk

SUTTON

Code: 319 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Martin Director of Children's Services: Ian Birnbaum Address: London Borough of Sutton

Civic Offices

St. Nicholas Way

Sutton

Sutton

SM1 1EA

Tel: 0208 770 5000 Website: www.sutton.gov.uk

SWINDON

Code: 866 Chief Executive Officer: Gavin Jones Director of Children's Services: John Gilbert Address: Swindon Borough Council

Civic Offices

Euclid Street

Swindon

Swindon

SN1 2JH

Tel: 01793 463000 Email: customerservices@swindon.gov.uk Website: www.swindon.gov.uk

TAMESIDE

Code: 357 Chief Executive Officer: Steven Pleasant Director of Children's Services: Jim Taylor Address: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Council Offices

Wellington Road

Ashton-under-Lyne

Tameside

OL6 6DL

Tel: 0161 342 8355 Fax: 0161 342 3070 Email: chief.executive@tameside.gov.uk Website: www.tameside.gov.uk

TELFORD AND WREKIN

Code: 894 Chief Executive Officer: Victor Brownlees Director of Children's Services: Victor Brownlees Address: Telford and Wrekin Council

PO Box 440

Civic Offices

Telford

Telford and Wrekin

TF3 4WF

Tel: +44(0)1952 380000 Website: www.telford.gov.uk

THURROCK

Code: 883 Chief Executive Officer: Graham Farrant Director of Children's Services: Jo Olsson Address: Thurrock Borough Council

Civic Offices

New Road

Grays

Essex

RM17 6SL

Tel: 01375 652652 Fax: 01375 652792 Email: jkramer@thurrock.gov.uk Website: www.thurrock.gov.uk

TORBAY

Code: 880 Chief Executive Officer: Elizabeth Raikes Director of Children's Services: Dr. Carol Tozer Address: Torbay Council

Town Hall

Castle Circus

Torquay

Devon

TQ1 3DR

Tel: 01803 201201 Email: fss@torbay.gov.uk Website: www.torbay.gov.uk

TOWER HAMLETS

Code: 211 Chief Executive Officer: Kevan Collins Director of Children's Services: Isobel Cattermole Address: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Town Hall

Mulberry Place

5 Clove Crescent

London

Tower Hamlets

E14 2BG

Tel: 020 7364 5000 Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

TRAFFORD

Code: 358 Chief Executive Officer: Janet Callender Director of Children's Services: Deborah Brownlee Address: Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

Trafford Town Hall

Talbot Road

Stretford

Manchester

Lancashire

M32 OYH

Tel: 0161 912 2000 Email: trafford.direct@trafford.gov.uk Website: www.trafford.gov.uk

WAKEFIELD

Code: 384 Chief Executive Officer: John Foster Director of Children's Services: Elaine McHale Address: Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

Town Hall

Wood Street

Wakefield

WF1 2HQ

Tel: 01924 306090 Website: www.wakefield.gov.uk

WALSALL

Code: 335 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Sheehan Director of Children's Services: Pauline Pilkington Address: Walsall Council

The Civic Centre

Walsall

WS1 1TP

Tel: 01922 650000 Fax: 01922 720885 Email: info@walsall.gov.uk Website: www.walsall.gov.uk

WALTHAM FOREST

Code: 320 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Esom Director of Children's Services: Chris Kiernan Address: Walthamstow Town Hall

Forrest Road

Walthamstow

London

Waltham Forest

E17 4JF

Tel: 020 8496 3000 Fax: 020 8496 8434 Email: wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk Website: www.lbwf.gov.uk

WANDSWORTH

Code: 212 Chief Executive Officer: Gerald Jones Director of Children's Services: Paul Robinson Address: London Borough of Wandsworth, Town Hall

Wandsworth High Street

London

Wandsworth

SW18 2PU

Tel: 020 8871 6000 Email: enquiries@wandsworth.gov.uk Website: www.wandsworth.gov.uk

WARRINGTON

Code: 877 Chief Executive Officer: Diana Terris Director of Children's Services: Kath O'Dwyer Address: Warrington Borough Council

New Town House

Buttermarket Street

Warrington

Lancashire

WA1 2NJ

Tel: 01925 444400 Website: www.warrington.gov.uk

WARWICKSHIRE

Code: 937 Chief Executive Officer: Jim Graham Director of Children's Services: Marion Davis Address: Warwickshire County Council

Children,Young People & Families Directorate

Saltersford Office Park

Ansell Way

Warwick

Warwickshire

CV34 4UL

Tel: 0845 090 7000 Fax: 01926 412377 Website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk

WEST BERKSHIRE

Code: 869 Chief Executive Officer: Nick Carter Director of Children's Services: Margaret Goldie Address: West Berkshire Council, Council Offices

Market Street

Newbury

West Berkshire

RG14 5LD

Tel: 01635 42400 Fax: 01635 519479 Email: info@westberks.gov.uk Website: www.westberks.gov.uk

WEST SUSSEX

Code: 938 Chief Executive Officer: Mark Hammond Director of Children's Services: John Dixon Address: West Sussex County Council

County Hall

West Street

Chichester

West Sussex

PO19 1RQ

Tel: 01243 777100 Website: www.westsussex.gov.uk

WESTMINSTER

Code: 213 Chief Executive Officer: Mike More Director of Children's Services: David Hawker Address: Westminster City Council

PO Box 240

Westminster City Hall

64 Victoria Street

London

Westminster

SW1E 6QP

Tel: 020 7641 6000 Fax: 020 7245 5510 Website: www.westminster.gov.uk

WIGAN

Code: 359 Chief Executive Officer: Joyce Redfearn Director of Children's Services: Nick Hudson Address: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Library Street

Wigan

Greater Manchester

WN1 1YN

Tel: 01942 244991 Website: www.wiganmbc.gov.uk

WILTSHIRE

Code: 865 Chief Executive Officer: Keith Robinson Director of Children's Services: Carolyn Godfrey Address: Wiltshire County Council, County Hall

Bythesea Road

Trowbridge

Wiltshire

BA14 8JN

Tel: 01225 713000 Fax: 01225 713145 Email: info@wiltshire.gov.uk Website: www.wiltshire.gov.uk

WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD

Code: 868 Chief Executive Officer: Ian Trenholm Director of Children's Services: Cliff Turner Address: Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and Berkshire

Town Hall

St Ives Road

Maidenhead

Windsor and Maidenhead, Royal Borough of

SL6 1RF

Tel: 01628 683800 Fax: 01628 796408 Email: customer.service@rbwm.gov.uk Website: www.rbwm.gov.uk

WIRRAL

Code: 344 Chief Executive Officer: Stephen Maddox Director of Children's Services: Howard Cooper Address: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Brighton Street

Wallasey

Cheshire

CH44 8ED

Tel: 0151 606 2000 Email: comments@wirral.gov.uk Website: www.wirral.gov.uk

WOKINGHAM

Code: 872 Chief Executive Officer: Susan Law Director of Children's Services: Andy Couldrick Address: Wokingham District Council

PO Box 150

Shute End

Wokingham

RG40 1WQ

Tel: 0118 974 6000 Email: wokinghamdc@wokingham.gov.uk Website: www.wokingham.gov.uk

WOLVERHAMPTON

Code: 336 Chief Executive Officer: Richard Carr Director of Children's Services: Roy Lockwood Address: Wolverhampton City Council

Civic Centre

St Peter's Square

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton City Council

WV1 1SH

Tel: 01902 556556 Fax: 01902 551195 Email: enquiries@wolverhampton.gov.uk Website: www.wolverhampton.gov.uk

WORCESTERSHIRE

Code: 885 Chief Executive Officer: Trish Haines Director of Children's Services: Gail Quinton Address: Worcestershire County Council, County Hall

Spetchley Road

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 2NP

Tel: 01905 763763 Fax: 01905 763000 Website: www.worcestershire.gov.uk

YORK

Code: 816 Chief Executive Officer: Kersten England Director of Children's Services: Peter Dwyer Address: City of York Council

Guildhall

York

York

Y01 9QN

Tel: 01904 551550 Fax: 01904 554249 Email: comments@york.gov.uk Website: www.york.gov.uk

NORTH YORKSHIRE

Code: 815 Chief Executive Officer: Richard Flinton Director of Children's Services: Cynthia Welbourne Address: North Yorkshire County Council

County Hall

Northallerton

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

DL7 8AD

Tel: 01609 780780 Fax: 01609 778199 Email: chief.exec@northyorks.gov.uk Website: www.northyorks.gov.uk

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Code: 928 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Blantern Director of Children's Services: Paul Burnett Address: Northamptonshire County Council

County Hall

Northampton

Northamptonshire

NN1 1DN

Tel: 01604 236236 Fax: 01604 236652 Email: citizensfirst@northamptonshire.gov.uk Website: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk

NORTHUMBERLAND

Code: 929 Chief Executive Officer: Steve Stewart Director of Children's Services: Paul Moffat Address: Northumberland County Council

County Hall

Morpeth

Northumberland

NE61 2EF

Tel: 01670 533000 Fax: 01670 533750 Website: www.northumberland.gov.uk

NOTTINGHAM

Code: 892 Chief Executive Officer: Jane Todd Director of Children's Services: Ian Curryer Address: Sandfield Centre

Sandfield Road

Lenton

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG7 1QH

Tel: 0115 915 5555 Fax: 0115 9154580 Email: customer.services@nottinghamcity.gov.uk Website: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Code: 891 Chief Executive Officer: Mick Burrows Director of Children's Services: Anthony May Address: Nottinghamshire County Council

County Hall

West Bridgford

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG2 7QP

Tel: 0115 982 3823 Fax: 0115 981 2824 Email: info@nottscc.gov.uk Website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

OLDHAM

Code: 353 Chief Executive Officer: Charlie Parker Director of Children's Services: Michael Jameson Address: Oldham Council

Civic Centre

West Street

Oldham

Greater Manchester

OL1 1UG

Tel: 0161 770 4193 Email: janet.donaldson@oldham.gov.uk Website: www.oldham.gov.uk

OXFORDSHIRE

Code: 931 Chief Executive Officer: Joanna Simons Director of Children's Services: Meena Spillett Address: Oxfordshire County Council

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

Oxfordshire

OX1 1ND

Tel: 01865 792422 Fax: 01865 815224 Email: online@oxfordshire.gov.uk Website: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

PETERBOROUGH

Code: 874 Chief Executive Officer: Gillian Beasley Director of Children's Services: John Richards Address: Peterborough City Council

Town Hall

Bridge Street

Peterborough

Northamptonshire

PE1 1HL

Tel: 01733 747474 Fax: 01733 452645 Email: ask@peterborough.gov.uk Website: www.peterborough.gov.uk

PLYMOUTH

Code: 879 Chief Executive Officer: Barry Keel Director of Children's Services: Browen Lacey Address: Plymouth City Council

Civic Centre

Plymouth

Plymouth, City of

PL1 2AA

Tel: 01752 668000 Fax: 01752 304880 Email: enquiries@plymouth.gov.uk Website: www.plymouth.gov.uk

POOLE

Code: 836 Chief Executive Officer: John McBride Director of Children's Services: Anne Newton Address: Borough of Poole Council

Civic Centre

Poole

Dorset

Poole

BH15 2RU

Tel: 01202 633633 Email: enquiries@boroughofpoole.com Website: www.poole.gov.uk

PORTSMOUTH

Code: 851 Chief Executive Officer: David Williams Director of Children's Services: Julian Wooster Address: Portsmouth City Council

Civic Offices

Guildhall Square

Portsmouth

Portsmouth

PO1 2BG

Tel: 023 92822251 Email: general@portsmouthcc.gov.uk Website: www.portsmouth.gov.uk

READING

Code: 870 Chief Executive Officer: Dave Peasley Director of Children's Services: Anna Wright Address: Reading Borough Council

Civic Centre

Reading

Reading

RG1 7TD

Tel: 0118 939 0900 Fax: 0118 958 9770 Website: www.reading.gov.uk

REDBRIDGE

Code: 317 Chief Executive Officer: Roger Hampson Director of Children's Services: Pat Reynolds Address: London Borough of Redbridge

Town Hall

PO Box 2

Ilford

Redbridge

IG1 1DD

Tel: 020 8554 5000 Email: customer.cc@redbridge.gov.uk Website: www.redbridge.gov.uk

REDCAR AND CLEVELAND

Code: 807 Chief Executive Officer: Amanda Skelton Director of Children's Services: Mike Dillon Address: Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

Town Hall

South Bank

Redcar and Cleveland

TS6 9AR

Tel: 01642 774774 Website: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

RICHMOND UPON THAMES

Code: 318 Chief Executive Officer: Gillian Norton Director of Children's Services: Nick Whitfield Address: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Civic Centre

44, York Street

Twickenham

Richmond Upon Thames

TW1 3BZ

Tel: 020 8891 1411 Email: customer.services@richmond.gov.uk Website: www.richmond.gov.uk

ROCHDALE

Code: 354 Chief Executive Officer: Roger Ellis Director of Children's Services: Cheryl Eastwood Address: Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

PO Box 70

Municipal Offices

Smith Street

Rochdale

Greater Manchester

OL16 1YD

Tel: 01706 647474 Email: council@rochdale.gov.uk Website: www.rochdale.gov.uk

ROTHERHAM

Code: 372 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Kimber Director of Children's Services: Joyce Thacker Address: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Eric Manns Building

45 Moorgate Street

Rotherham

South Yorkshire

Rotherham

S60 2RB

Tel: 01709 382121 Website: www.rotherham.gov.uk

RUTLAND

Code: 857 Chief Executive Officer: Helen Briggs Director of Children's Services: Carol Chambers Address: Rutland County Council

Catmose

Oakham

Rutland

Rutland

LE15 6HP

Tel: 01572 722577 Fax: 01572 758307 Email: enquiries@rutland.gov.uk Website: www.rutland.gov.uk

SALFORD

Code: 355 Chief Executive Officer: Barbara Spicer Director of Children's Services: Nick Page Address: Salford City Council

Civic Centre

Chorley Road

Swinton

Salford

Greater Manchester

M27 5DA

Tel: 0161 794 4711 Email: information.centre@salford.gov.uk Website: www.salford.gov.uk

SANDWELL

Code: 333 Chief Executive Officer: Allison Fraser Director of Children's Services: Barbara Peacock Address: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Shaftesbury House

402 High Street

West Bromwich

Sandwell

B70 9LY

Tel: 0121 569 8204 Fax: 0121 569 8324 Email: childrenand_youngpeoplesservices@sandwell.gov.uk Website: www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk

SEFTON

Code: 343 Chief Executive Officer: Margaret Carney Director of Children's Services: Peter Morgan Address: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Southport

Sefton

PR8 1DA

Tel: 0845 140 0845 Email: contact@sefton.gov.uk Website: www.sefton.gov.uk

SHEFFIELD

Code: 373 Chief Executive Officer: Sir Robert Kerslake Director of Children's Services: Sonia Sharp Address: Sheffield City Council

Town Hall

Surrey Street

Sheffield

Sheffield

S1 2HH

Tel: 0114 272 6444 Email: firstpoint@sheffield.gov.uk Website: www.sheffield.gov.uk

SHROPSHIRE

Code: 893 Chief Executive Officer: Mr. Kim Ryley Director of Children's Services: David Taylor Address: Shropshire County Council

Shirehall

Abbey Foregate

Shrewsbury

Shropshire

Shropshire

SY2 6ND

Tel: 0845 678 9000 Fax: 01743 252827 Website: www.shropshire-cc.gov.uk

SLOUGH

Code: 871 Chief Executive Officer: Ruth Bagley Director of Children's Services: Clair Pyper Address: Slough Borough Council

Town Hall

Bath Road

Slough

Slough

SL1 3UQ

Tel: 01753 475111 Email: enquiries@slough.gov.uk Website: www.slough.gov.uk

SOLIHULL

Code: 334 Chief Executive Officer: Mark Rogers Director of Children's Services: Vanessa Bishop Address: Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

PO Box 20

Council House

Solihull

West Midlands

Solihull

B91 3QU

Tel: 0121 704 6000 Fax: 0121 704 6114 Email: customer@solihull.gov.uk Website: www.solihull.gov.uk

SOMERSET

Code: 933 Chief Executive Officer: Sheila Wheeler Director of Children's Services: David Taylor Address: Somerset County Council

County Hall

Taunton

Somerset

Somerset

TA1 4DY

Tel: 0845 345 9166 Fax: 01823 355332 Email: djtaylor@somerset.gov.uk Website: www.somerset.gov.uk

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Code: 803 Chief Executive Officer: Amanda Deeks Director of Children's Services: Therese Gillespie Address: South Gloucestershire Council

The Council Offices

Castle Street

Thornbury

South Gloucestershire

South Gloucestershire

BS35 1HF

Tel: 01454 868009 Fax: 01454 863855 Website: www.southglos.gov.uk

SOUTH TYNESIDE

Code: 393 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Swales Director of Children's Services: Helen Watson Address: South Tyneside Council

Town Hall & Civic Offices, Westoe Road

South Shields

Tyne and Wear

South Tyneside

NE33 2RL

Tel: 0191 427 1717 Website: www.southtyneside.info

SOUTHAMPTON

Code: 852 Chief Executive Officer: Brad Roynon Director of Children's Services: Clive Webster Address: Southampton City Council

Civic Centre

Southampton

Southampton

SO14 7LY

Tel: 023 8022 3855 Email: gateway@southampton.gov.uk Website: www.southampton.gov.uk

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

Code: 882 Chief Executive Officer: Robert Tinlin Director of Children's Services: Paul Greenhalgh Address: Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

Civic Centre

Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-Sea

Essex

SS2 6ER

Tel: 01702 215000 Website: www.southend.gov.uk

SOUTHWARK

Code: 210 Chief Executive Officer: Annie Shepperd Director of Children's Services: Romi Bowen Address: London Borough of Southwark, Town Hall

Peckham Road

London

Southwark

SE5 8UB

Tel: 020 7525 5050 Email: webinfo@southwark.gov.uk Website: www.southwark.gov.uk

ST HELENS

Code: 342 Chief Executive Officer: Carole Hudson Director of Children's Services: Susan Richardson Address: St Helens Council

Town Hall

Victoria Square

St Helens

Merseyside

WA10 1HP

Tel: 01744 456789 Email: contactcentre@sthelens.gov.uk Website: www.sthelens.gov.uk

STAFFORDSHIRE

Code: 860 Chief Executive Officer: Nick Bell Director of Children's Services: Sally Rees Address: Staffordshire County Council

Chief Executive's Office

PO Box 11

County Buildings

Stafford

Staffordshire

ST16 2LH

Tel: 01785 223121 Fax: 01785 215153 Website: www.staffordshire.gov.uk

STOCKPORT

Code: 356 Chief Executive Officer: Eamonn Boylan Director of Children's Services: Andrew Webb Address: Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Stockport

Cheshire

SK1 3XE

Tel: 0161 480 4949 Email: stockport.council@stockport.gov.uk Website: www.stockport.gov.uk

STOCKTON-ON-TEES

Code: 808 Chief Executive Officer: Neil Schneider Director of Children's Services: Jane Humphreys Address: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Municipal Buildings

PO Box 11

Church Road

Stockton-on-Tees

Stockton-on-tees

TS18 1LD

Tel: 01642 393939 Email: member.services@stockton.gov.uk Website: www.stockton.gov.uk

STOKE-ON-TRENT

Code: 861 Chief Executive Officer: John van de Laarschot Director of Children's Services: Sharon Menghini Address: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Civic Centre

Glebe Street

Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent

ST4 1RN

Tel: 01782 234567 Email: enquiries@stoke.gov.uk Website: www.stoke.gov.uk

SUFFOLK

Code: 935 Chief Executive Officer: Andrea Hill Director of Children's Services: Simon White Address: Suffolk County Council

Endeavor House

8,Russell Road

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP1 2BX

Tel: 0845 606 6067 Email: customerservice@csduk.com Website: www.suffolk.gov.uk

SUNDERLAND

Code: 394 Chief Executive Officer: G. Fitzgerald Director of Children's Services: Dr. Helen Paterson Address: Sunderland City Council

PO Box 100

Civic Centre

Burdon Road

Sunderland

Tyne and Wear

SR2 7DN

Tel: 0191 520 5555 Fax: 0191 553 1020 Email: enquiries@sunderland.gov.uk Website: www.sunderland.gov.uk

SURREY

Code: 936 Chief Executive Officer: David McNulty Director of Children's Services: Andy Roberts Address: Surrey County Council

Penrhyn Road

Kingston upon Thames

Surrey

KT1 2DJ

Tel: 08456 009 009 Fax: 020 8541 9004 Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk

SUTTON

Code: 319 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Martin Director of Children's Services: Ian Birnbaum Address: London Borough of Sutton

Civic Offices

St. Nicholas Way

Sutton

Sutton

SM1 1EA

Tel: 0208 770 5000 Website: www.sutton.gov.uk

SWINDON

Code: 866 Chief Executive Officer: Gavin Jones Director of Children's Services: John Gilbert Address: Swindon Borough Council

Civic Offices

Euclid Street

Swindon

Swindon

SN1 2JH

Tel: 01793 463000 Email: customerservices@swindon.gov.uk Website: www.swindon.gov.uk

TAMESIDE

Code: 357 Chief Executive Officer: Steven Pleasant Director of Children's Services: Jim Taylor Address: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Council Offices

Wellington Road

Ashton-under-Lyne

Tameside

OL6 6DL

Tel: 0161 342 8355 Fax: 0161 342 3070 Email: chief.executive@tameside.gov.uk Website: www.tameside.gov.uk

TELFORD AND WREKIN

Code: 894 Chief Executive Officer: Victor Brownlees Director of Children's Services: Victor Brownlees Address: Telford and Wrekin Council

PO Box 440

Civic Offices

Telford

Telford and Wrekin

TF3 4WF

Tel: +44(0)1952 380000 Website: www.telford.gov.uk

THURROCK

Code: 883 Chief Executive Officer: Graham Farrant Director of Children's Services: Jo Olsson Address: Thurrock Borough Council

Civic Offices

New Road

Grays

Essex

RM17 6SL

Tel: 01375 652652 Fax: 01375 652792 Email: jkramer@thurrock.gov.uk Website: www.thurrock.gov.uk

TORBAY

Code: 880 Chief Executive Officer: Elizabeth Raikes Director of Children's Services: Dr. Carol Tozer Address: Torbay Council

Town Hall

Castle Circus

Torquay

Devon

TQ1 3DR

Tel: 01803 201201 Email: fss@torbay.gov.uk Website: www.torbay.gov.uk

TOWER HAMLETS

Code: 211 Chief Executive Officer: Kevan Collins Director of Children's Services: Isobel Cattermole Address: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Town Hall

Mulberry Place

5 Clove Crescent

London

Tower Hamlets

E14 2BG

Tel: 020 7364 5000 Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

TRAFFORD

Code: 358 Chief Executive Officer: Janet Callender Director of Children's Services: Deborah Brownlee Address: Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

Trafford Town Hall

Talbot Road

Stretford

Manchester

Lancashire

M32 OYH

Tel: 0161 912 2000 Email: trafford.direct@trafford.gov.uk Website: www.trafford.gov.uk

WAKEFIELD

Code: 384 Chief Executive Officer: John Foster Director of Children's Services: Elaine McHale Address: Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

Town Hall

Wood Street

Wakefield

WF1 2HQ

Tel: 01924 306090 Website: www.wakefield.gov.uk

WALSALL

Code: 335 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Sheehan Director of Children's Services: Pauline Pilkington Address: Walsall Council

The Civic Centre

Walsall

WS1 1TP

Tel: 01922 650000 Fax: 01922 720885 Email: info@walsall.gov.uk Website: www.walsall.gov.uk

WALTHAM FOREST

Code: 320 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Esom Director of Children's Services: Chris Kiernan Address: Walthamstow Town Hall

Forrest Road

Walthamstow

London

Waltham Forest

E17 4JF

Tel: 020 8496 3000 Fax: 020 8496 8434 Email: wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk Website: www.lbwf.gov.uk

WANDSWORTH

Code: 212 Chief Executive Officer: Gerald Jones Director of Children's Services: Paul Robinson Address: London Borough of Wandsworth, Town Hall

Wandsworth High Street

London

Wandsworth

SW18 2PU

Tel: 020 8871 6000 Email: enquiries@wandsworth.gov.uk Website: www.wandsworth.gov.uk

WARRINGTON

Code: 877 Chief Executive Officer: Diana Terris Director of Children's Services: Kath O'Dwyer Address: Warrington Borough Council

New Town House

Buttermarket Street

Warrington

Lancashire

WA1 2NJ

Tel: 01925 444400 Website: www.warrington.gov.uk

WARWICKSHIRE

Code: 937 Chief Executive Officer: Jim Graham Director of Children's Services: Marion Davis Address: Warwickshire County Council

Children,Young People & Families Directorate

Saltersford Office Park

Ansell Way

Warwick

Warwickshire

CV34 4UL

Tel: 0845 090 7000 Fax: 01926 412377 Website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk

WEST BERKSHIRE

Code: 869 Chief Executive Officer: Nick Carter Director of Children's Services: Margaret Goldie Address: West Berkshire Council, Council Offices

Market Street

Newbury

West Berkshire

RG14 5LD

Tel: 01635 42400 Fax: 01635 519479 Email: info@westberks.gov.uk Website: www.westberks.gov.uk

WEST SUSSEX

Code: 938 Chief Executive Officer: Mark Hammond Director of Children's Services: John Dixon Address: West Sussex County Council

County Hall

West Street

Chichester

West Sussex

PO19 1RQ

Tel: 01243 777100 Website: www.westsussex.gov.uk

WESTMINSTER

Code: 213 Chief Executive Officer: Mike More Director of Children's Services: David Hawker Address: Westminster City Council

PO Box 240

Westminster City Hall

64 Victoria Street

London

Westminster

SW1E 6QP

Tel: 020 7641 6000 Fax: 020 7245 5510 Website: www.westminster.gov.uk

WIGAN

Code: 359 Chief Executive Officer: Joyce Redfearn Director of Children's Services: Nick Hudson Address: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Library Street

Wigan

Greater Manchester

WN1 1YN

Tel: 01942 244991 Website: www.wiganmbc.gov.uk

WILTSHIRE

Code: 865 Chief Executive Officer: Keith Robinson Director of Children's Services: Carolyn Godfrey Address: Wiltshire County Council, County Hall

Bythesea Road

Trowbridge

Wiltshire

BA14 8JN

Tel: 01225 713000 Fax: 01225 713145 Email: info@wiltshire.gov.uk Website: www.wiltshire.gov.uk

WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD

Code: 868 Chief Executive Officer: Ian Trenholm Director of Children's Services: Cliff Turner Address: Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and Berkshire

Town Hall

St Ives Road

Maidenhead

Windsor and Maidenhead, Royal Borough of

SL6 1RF

Tel: 01628 683800 Fax: 01628 796408 Email: customer.service@rbwm.gov.uk Website: www.rbwm.gov.uk

WIRRAL

Code: 344 Chief Executive Officer: Stephen Maddox Director of Children's Services: Howard Cooper Address: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Brighton Street

Wallasey

Cheshire

CH44 8ED

Tel: 0151 606 2000 Email: comments@wirral.gov.uk Website: www.wirral.gov.uk

WOKINGHAM

Code: 872 Chief Executive Officer: Susan Law Director of Children's Services: Andy Couldrick Address: Wokingham District Council

PO Box 150

Shute End

Wokingham

RG40 1WQ

Tel: 0118 974 6000 Email: wokinghamdc@wokingham.gov.uk Website: www.wokingham.gov.uk

WOLVERHAMPTON

Code: 336 Chief Executive Officer: Richard Carr Director of Children's Services: Roy Lockwood Address: Wolverhampton City Council

Civic Centre

St Peter's Square

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton City Council

WV1 1SH

Tel: 01902 556556 Fax: 01902 551195 Email: enquiries@wolverhampton.gov.uk Website: www.wolverhampton.gov.uk

WORCESTERSHIRE

Code: 885 Chief Executive Officer: Trish Haines Director of Children's Services: Gail Quinton Address: Worcestershire County Council, County Hall

Spetchley Road

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 2NP

Tel: 01905 763763 Fax: 01905 763000 Website: www.worcestershire.gov.uk

YORK

Code: 816 Chief Executive Officer: Kersten England Director of Children's Services: Peter Dwyer Address: City of York Council

Guildhall

York

York

Y01 9QN

Tel: 01904 551550 Fax: 01904 554249 Email: comments@york.gov.uk Website: www.york.gov.uk

NORTH YORKSHIRE

Code: 815 Chief Executive Officer: Richard Flinton Director of Children's Services: Cynthia Welbourne Address: North Yorkshire County Council

County Hall

Northallerton

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

DL7 8AD

Tel: 01609 780780 Fax: 01609 778199 Email: chief.exec@northyorks.gov.uk Website: www.northyorks.gov.uk

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Code: 928 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Blantern Director of Children's Services: Paul Burnett Address: Northamptonshire County Council

County Hall

Northampton

Northamptonshire

NN1 1DN

Tel: 01604 236236 Fax: 01604 236652 Email: citizensfirst@northamptonshire.gov.uk Website: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk

NORTHUMBERLAND

Code: 929 Chief Executive Officer: Steve Stewart Director of Children's Services: Paul Moffat Address: Northumberland County Council

County Hall

Morpeth

Northumberland

NE61 2EF

Tel: 01670 533000 Fax: 01670 533750 Website: www.northumberland.gov.uk

NOTTINGHAM

Code: 892 Chief Executive Officer: Jane Todd Director of Children's Services: Ian Curryer Address: Sandfield Centre

Sandfield Road

Lenton

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG7 1QH

Tel: 0115 915 5555 Fax: 0115 9154580 Email: customer.services@nottinghamcity.gov.uk Website: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Code: 891 Chief Executive Officer: Mick Burrows Director of Children's Services: Anthony May Address: Nottinghamshire County Council

County Hall

West Bridgford

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG2 7QP

Tel: 0115 982 3823 Fax: 0115 981 2824 Email: info@nottscc.gov.uk Website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

OLDHAM

Code: 353 Chief Executive Officer: Charlie Parker Director of Children's Services: Michael Jameson Address: Oldham Council

Civic Centre

West Street

Oldham

Greater Manchester

OL1 1UG

Tel: 0161 770 4193 Email: janet.donaldson@oldham.gov.uk Website: www.oldham.gov.uk

OXFORDSHIRE

Code: 931 Chief Executive Officer: Joanna Simons Director of Children's Services: Meena Spillett Address: Oxfordshire County Council

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

Oxfordshire

OX1 1ND

Tel: 01865 792422 Fax: 01865 815224 Email: online@oxfordshire.gov.uk Website: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

PETERBOROUGH

Code: 874 Chief Executive Officer: Gillian Beasley Director of Children's Services: John Richards Address: Peterborough City Council

Town Hall

Bridge Street

Peterborough

Northamptonshire

PE1 1HL

Tel: 01733 747474 Fax: 01733 452645 Email: ask@peterborough.gov.uk Website: www.peterborough.gov.uk

PLYMOUTH

Code: 879 Chief Executive Officer: Barry Keel Director of Children's Services: Browen Lacey Address: Plymouth City Council

Civic Centre

Plymouth

Plymouth, City of

PL1 2AA

Tel: 01752 668000 Fax: 01752 304880 Email: enquiries@plymouth.gov.uk Website: www.plymouth.gov.uk

POOLE

Code: 836 Chief Executive Officer: John McBride Director of Children's Services: Anne Newton Address: Borough of Poole Council

Civic Centre

Poole

Dorset

Poole

BH15 2RU

Tel: 01202 633633 Email: enquiries@boroughofpoole.com Website: www.poole.gov.uk

PORTSMOUTH

Code: 851 Chief Executive Officer: David Williams Director of Children's Services: Julian Wooster Address: Portsmouth City Council

Civic Offices

Guildhall Square

Portsmouth

Portsmouth

PO1 2BG

Tel: 023 92822251 Email: general@portsmouthcc.gov.uk Website: www.portsmouth.gov.uk

READING

Code: 870 Chief Executive Officer: Dave Peasley Director of Children's Services: Anna Wright Address: Reading Borough Council

Civic Centre

Reading

Reading

RG1 7TD

Tel: 0118 939 0900 Fax: 0118 958 9770 Website: www.reading.gov.uk

REDBRIDGE

Code: 317 Chief Executive Officer: Roger Hampson Director of Children's Services: Pat Reynolds Address: London Borough of Redbridge

Town Hall

PO Box 2

Ilford

Redbridge

IG1 1DD

Tel: 020 8554 5000 Email: customer.cc@redbridge.gov.uk Website: www.redbridge.gov.uk

REDCAR AND CLEVELAND

Code: 807 Chief Executive Officer: Amanda Skelton Director of Children's Services: Mike Dillon Address: Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

Town Hall

South Bank

Redcar and Cleveland

TS6 9AR

Tel: 01642 774774 Website: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

RICHMOND UPON THAMES

Code: 318 Chief Executive Officer: Gillian Norton Director of Children's Services: Nick Whitfield Address: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Civic Centre

44, York Street

Twickenham

Richmond Upon Thames

TW1 3BZ

Tel: 020 8891 1411 Email: customer.services@richmond.gov.uk Website: www.richmond.gov.uk

ROCHDALE

Code: 354 Chief Executive Officer: Roger Ellis Director of Children's Services: Cheryl Eastwood Address: Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

PO Box 70

Municipal Offices

Smith Street

Rochdale

Greater Manchester

OL16 1YD

Tel: 01706 647474 Email: council@rochdale.gov.uk Website: www.rochdale.gov.uk

ROTHERHAM

Code: 372 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Kimber Director of Children's Services: Joyce Thacker Address: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Eric Manns Building

45 Moorgate Street

Rotherham

South Yorkshire

Rotherham

S60 2RB

Tel: 01709 382121 Website: www.rotherham.gov.uk

RUTLAND

Code: 857 Chief Executive Officer: Helen Briggs Director of Children's Services: Carol Chambers Address: Rutland County Council

Catmose

Oakham

Rutland

Rutland

LE15 6HP

Tel: 01572 722577 Fax: 01572 758307 Email: enquiries@rutland.gov.uk Website: www.rutland.gov.uk

SALFORD

Code: 355 Chief Executive Officer: Barbara Spicer Director of Children's Services: Nick Page Address: Salford City Council

Civic Centre

Chorley Road

Swinton

Salford

Greater Manchester

M27 5DA

Tel: 0161 794 4711 Email: information.centre@salford.gov.uk Website: www.salford.gov.uk

SANDWELL

Code: 333 Chief Executive Officer: Allison Fraser Director of Children's Services: Barbara Peacock Address: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Shaftesbury House

402 High Street

West Bromwich

Sandwell

B70 9LY

Tel: 0121 569 8204 Fax: 0121 569 8324 Email: childrenand_youngpeoplesservices@sandwell.gov.uk Website: www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk

SEFTON

Code: 343 Chief Executive Officer: Margaret Carney Director of Children's Services: Peter Morgan Address: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Southport

Sefton

PR8 1DA

Tel: 0845 140 0845 Email: contact@sefton.gov.uk Website: www.sefton.gov.uk

SHEFFIELD

Code: 373 Chief Executive Officer: Sir Robert Kerslake Director of Children's Services: Sonia Sharp Address: Sheffield City Council

Town Hall

Surrey Street

Sheffield

Sheffield

S1 2HH

Tel: 0114 272 6444 Email: firstpoint@sheffield.gov.uk Website: www.sheffield.gov.uk

SHROPSHIRE

Code: 893 Chief Executive Officer: Mr. Kim Ryley Director of Children's Services: David Taylor Address: Shropshire County Council

Shirehall

Abbey Foregate

Shrewsbury

Shropshire

Shropshire

SY2 6ND

Tel: 0845 678 9000 Fax: 01743 252827 Website: www.shropshire-cc.gov.uk

SLOUGH

Code: 871 Chief Executive Officer: Ruth Bagley Director of Children's Services: Clair Pyper Address: Slough Borough Council

Town Hall

Bath Road

Slough

Slough

SL1 3UQ

Tel: 01753 475111 Email: enquiries@slough.gov.uk Website: www.slough.gov.uk

SOLIHULL

Code: 334 Chief Executive Officer: Mark Rogers Director of Children's Services: Vanessa Bishop Address: Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

PO Box 20

Council House

Solihull

West Midlands

Solihull

B91 3QU

Tel: 0121 704 6000 Fax: 0121 704 6114 Email: customer@solihull.gov.uk Website: www.solihull.gov.uk

SOMERSET

Code: 933 Chief Executive Officer: Sheila Wheeler Director of Children's Services: David Taylor Address: Somerset County Council

County Hall

Taunton

Somerset

Somerset

TA1 4DY

Tel: 0845 345 9166 Fax: 01823 355332 Email: djtaylor@somerset.gov.uk Website: www.somerset.gov.uk

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Code: 803 Chief Executive Officer: Amanda Deeks Director of Children's Services: Therese Gillespie Address: South Gloucestershire Council

The Council Offices

Castle Street

Thornbury

South Gloucestershire

South Gloucestershire

BS35 1HF

Tel: 01454 868009 Fax: 01454 863855 Website: www.southglos.gov.uk

SOUTH TYNESIDE

Code: 393 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Swales Director of Children's Services: Helen Watson Address: South Tyneside Council

Town Hall & Civic Offices, Westoe Road

South Shields

Tyne and Wear

South Tyneside

NE33 2RL

Tel: 0191 427 1717 Website: www.southtyneside.info

SOUTHAMPTON

Code: 852 Chief Executive Officer: Brad Roynon Director of Children's Services: Clive Webster Address: Southampton City Council

Civic Centre

Southampton

Southampton

SO14 7LY

Tel: 023 8022 3855 Email: gateway@southampton.gov.uk Website: www.southampton.gov.uk

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

Code: 882 Chief Executive Officer: Robert Tinlin Director of Children's Services: Paul Greenhalgh Address: Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

Civic Centre

Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-Sea

Essex

SS2 6ER

Tel: 01702 215000 Website: www.southend.gov.uk

SOUTHWARK

Code: 210 Chief Executive Officer: Annie Shepperd Director of Children's Services: Romi Bowen Address: London Borough of Southwark, Town Hall

Peckham Road

London

Southwark

SE5 8UB

Tel: 020 7525 5050 Email: webinfo@southwark.gov.uk Website: www.southwark.gov.uk

ST HELENS

Code: 342 Chief Executive Officer: Carole Hudson Director of Children's Services: Susan Richardson Address: St Helens Council

Town Hall

Victoria Square

St Helens

Merseyside

WA10 1HP

Tel: 01744 456789 Email: contactcentre@sthelens.gov.uk Website: www.sthelens.gov.uk

STAFFORDSHIRE

Code: 860 Chief Executive Officer: Nick Bell Director of Children's Services: Sally Rees Address: Staffordshire County Council

Chief Executive's Office

PO Box 11

County Buildings

Stafford

Staffordshire

ST16 2LH

Tel: 01785 223121 Fax: 01785 215153 Website: www.staffordshire.gov.uk

STOCKPORT

Code: 356 Chief Executive Officer: Eamonn Boylan Director of Children's Services: Andrew Webb Address: Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Stockport

Cheshire

SK1 3XE

Tel: 0161 480 4949 Email: stockport.council@stockport.gov.uk Website: www.stockport.gov.uk

STOCKTON-ON-TEES

Code: 808 Chief Executive Officer: Neil Schneider Director of Children's Services: Jane Humphreys Address: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Municipal Buildings

PO Box 11

Church Road

Stockton-on-Tees

Stockton-on-tees

TS18 1LD

Tel: 01642 393939 Email: member.services@stockton.gov.uk Website: www.stockton.gov.uk

STOKE-ON-TRENT

Code: 861 Chief Executive Officer: John van de Laarschot Director of Children's Services: Sharon Menghini Address: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Civic Centre

Glebe Street

Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent

ST4 1RN

Tel: 01782 234567 Email: enquiries@stoke.gov.uk Website: www.stoke.gov.uk

SUFFOLK

Code: 935 Chief Executive Officer: Andrea Hill Director of Children's Services: Simon White Address: Suffolk County Council

Endeavor House

8,Russell Road

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP1 2BX

Tel: 0845 606 6067 Email: customerservice@csduk.com Website: www.suffolk.gov.uk

SUNDERLAND

Code: 394 Chief Executive Officer: G. Fitzgerald Director of Children's Services: Dr. Helen Paterson Address: Sunderland City Council

PO Box 100

Civic Centre

Burdon Road

Sunderland

Tyne and Wear

SR2 7DN

Tel: 0191 520 5555 Fax: 0191 553 1020 Email: enquiries@sunderland.gov.uk Website: www.sunderland.gov.uk

SURREY

Code: 936 Chief Executive Officer: David McNulty Director of Children's Services: Andy Roberts Address: Surrey County Council

Penrhyn Road

Kingston upon Thames

Surrey

KT1 2DJ

Tel: 08456 009 009 Fax: 020 8541 9004 Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk

SUTTON

Code: 319 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Martin Director of Children's Services: Ian Birnbaum Address: London Borough of Sutton

Civic Offices

St. Nicholas Way

Sutton

Sutton

SM1 1EA

Tel: 0208 770 5000 Website: www.sutton.gov.uk

SWINDON

Code: 866 Chief Executive Officer: Gavin Jones Director of Children's Services: John Gilbert Address: Swindon Borough Council

Civic Offices

Euclid Street

Swindon

Swindon

SN1 2JH

Tel: 01793 463000 Email: customerservices@swindon.gov.uk Website: www.swindon.gov.uk

TAMESIDE

Code: 357 Chief Executive Officer: Steven Pleasant Director of Children's Services: Jim Taylor Address: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Council Offices

Wellington Road

Ashton-under-Lyne

Tameside

OL6 6DL

Tel: 0161 342 8355 Fax: 0161 342 3070 Email: chief.executive@tameside.gov.uk Website: www.tameside.gov.uk

TELFORD AND WREKIN

Code: 894 Chief Executive Officer: Victor Brownlees Director of Children's Services: Victor Brownlees Address: Telford and Wrekin Council

PO Box 440

Civic Offices

Telford

Telford and Wrekin

TF3 4WF

Tel: +44(0)1952 380000 Website: www.telford.gov.uk

THURROCK

Code: 883 Chief Executive Officer: Graham Farrant Director of Children's Services: Jo Olsson Address: Thurrock Borough Council

Civic Offices

New Road

Grays

Essex

RM17 6SL

Tel: 01375 652652 Fax: 01375 652792 Email: jkramer@thurrock.gov.uk Website: www.thurrock.gov.uk

TORBAY

Code: 880 Chief Executive Officer: Elizabeth Raikes Director of Children's Services: Dr. Carol Tozer Address: Torbay Council

Town Hall

Castle Circus

Torquay

Devon

TQ1 3DR

Tel: 01803 201201 Email: fss@torbay.gov.uk Website: www.torbay.gov.uk

TOWER HAMLETS

Code: 211 Chief Executive Officer: Kevan Collins Director of Children's Services: Isobel Cattermole Address: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Town Hall

Mulberry Place

5 Clove Crescent

London

Tower Hamlets

E14 2BG

Tel: 020 7364 5000 Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

TRAFFORD

Code: 358 Chief Executive Officer: Janet Callender Director of Children's Services: Deborah Brownlee Address: Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

Trafford Town Hall

Talbot Road

Stretford

Manchester

Lancashire

M32 OYH

Tel: 0161 912 2000 Email: trafford.direct@trafford.gov.uk Website: www.trafford.gov.uk

WAKEFIELD

Code: 384 Chief Executive Officer: John Foster Director of Children's Services: Elaine McHale Address: Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

Town Hall

Wood Street

Wakefield

WF1 2HQ

Tel: 01924 306090 Website: www.wakefield.gov.uk

WALSALL

Code: 335 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Sheehan Director of Children's Services: Pauline Pilkington Address: Walsall Council

The Civic Centre

Walsall

WS1 1TP

Tel: 01922 650000 Fax: 01922 720885 Email: info@walsall.gov.uk Website: www.walsall.gov.uk

WALTHAM FOREST

Code: 320 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Esom Director of Children's Services: Chris Kiernan Address: Walthamstow Town Hall

Forrest Road

Walthamstow

London

Waltham Forest

E17 4JF

Tel: 020 8496 3000 Fax: 020 8496 8434 Email: wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk Website: www.lbwf.gov.uk

WANDSWORTH

Code: 212 Chief Executive Officer: Gerald Jones Director of Children's Services: Paul Robinson Address: London Borough of Wandsworth, Town Hall

Wandsworth High Street

London

Wandsworth

SW18 2PU

Tel: 020 8871 6000 Email: enquiries@wandsworth.gov.uk Website: www.wandsworth.gov.uk

WARRINGTON

Code: 877 Chief Executive Officer: Diana Terris Director of Children's Services: Kath O'Dwyer Address: Warrington Borough Council

New Town House

Buttermarket Street

Warrington

Lancashire

WA1 2NJ

Tel: 01925 444400 Website: www.warrington.gov.uk

WARWICKSHIRE

Code: 937 Chief Executive Officer: Jim Graham Director of Children's Services: Marion Davis Address: Warwickshire County Council

Children,Young People & Families Directorate

Saltersford Office Park

Ansell Way

Warwick

Warwickshire

CV34 4UL

Tel: 0845 090 7000 Fax: 01926 412377 Website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk

WEST BERKSHIRE

Code: 869 Chief Executive Officer: Nick Carter Director of Children's Services: Margaret Goldie Address: West Berkshire Council, Council Offices

Market Street

Newbury

West Berkshire

RG14 5LD

Tel: 01635 42400 Fax: 01635 519479 Email: info@westberks.gov.uk Website: www.westberks.gov.uk

WEST SUSSEX

Code: 938 Chief Executive Officer: Mark Hammond Director of Children's Services: John Dixon Address: West Sussex County Council

County Hall

West Street

Chichester

West Sussex

PO19 1RQ

Tel: 01243 777100 Website: www.westsussex.gov.uk

WESTMINSTER

Code: 213 Chief Executive Officer: Mike More Director of Children's Services: David Hawker Address: Westminster City Council

PO Box 240

Westminster City Hall

64 Victoria Street

London

Westminster

SW1E 6QP

Tel: 020 7641 6000 Fax: 020 7245 5510 Website: www.westminster.gov.uk

WIGAN

Code: 359 Chief Executive Officer: Joyce Redfearn Director of Children's Services: Nick Hudson Address: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Library Street

Wigan

Greater Manchester

WN1 1YN

Tel: 01942 244991 Website: www.wiganmbc.gov.uk

WILTSHIRE

Code: 865 Chief Executive Officer: Keith Robinson Director of Children's Services: Carolyn Godfrey Address: Wiltshire County Council, County Hall

Bythesea Road

Trowbridge

Wiltshire

BA14 8JN

Tel: 01225 713000 Fax: 01225 713145 Email: info@wiltshire.gov.uk Website: www.wiltshire.gov.uk

WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD

Code: 868 Chief Executive Officer: Ian Trenholm Director of Children's Services: Cliff Turner Address: Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and Berkshire

Town Hall

St Ives Road

Maidenhead

Windsor and Maidenhead, Royal Borough of

SL6 1RF

Tel: 01628 683800 Fax: 01628 796408 Email: customer.service@rbwm.gov.uk Website: www.rbwm.gov.uk

WIRRAL

Code: 344 Chief Executive Officer: Stephen Maddox Director of Children's Services: Howard Cooper Address: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Brighton Street

Wallasey

Cheshire

CH44 8ED

Tel: 0151 606 2000 Email: comments@wirral.gov.uk Website: www.wirral.gov.uk

WOKINGHAM

Code: 872 Chief Executive Officer: Susan Law Director of Children's Services: Andy Couldrick Address: Wokingham District Council

PO Box 150

Shute End

Wokingham

RG40 1WQ

Tel: 0118 974 6000 Email: wokinghamdc@wokingham.gov.uk Website: www.wokingham.gov.uk

WOLVERHAMPTON

Code: 336 Chief Executive Officer: Richard Carr Director of Children's Services: Roy Lockwood Address: Wolverhampton City Council

Civic Centre

St Peter's Square

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton City Council

WV1 1SH

Tel: 01902 556556 Fax: 01902 551195 Email: enquiries@wolverhampton.gov.uk Website: www.wolverhampton.gov.uk

WORCESTERSHIRE

Code: 885 Chief Executive Officer: Trish Haines Director of Children's Services: Gail Quinton Address: Worcestershire County Council, County Hall

Spetchley Road

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 2NP

Tel: 01905 763763 Fax: 01905 763000 Website: www.worcestershire.gov.uk

YORK

Code: 816 Chief Executive Officer: Kersten England Director of Children's Services: Peter Dwyer Address: City of York Council

Guildhall

York

York

Y01 9QN

Tel: 01904 551550 Fax: 01904 554249 Email: comments@york.gov.uk Website: www.york.gov.uk

NORTH YORKSHIRE

Code: 815 Chief Executive Officer: Richard Flinton Director of Children's Services: Cynthia Welbourne Address: North Yorkshire County Council

County Hall

Northallerton

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

DL7 8AD

Tel: 01609 780780 Fax: 01609 778199 Email: chief.exec@northyorks.gov.uk Website: www.northyorks.gov.uk

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Code: 928 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Blantern Director of Children's Services: Paul Burnett Address: Northamptonshire County Council

County Hall

Northampton

Northamptonshire

NN1 1DN

Tel: 01604 236236 Fax: 01604 236652 Email: citizensfirst@northamptonshire.gov.uk Website: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk

NORTHUMBERLAND

Code: 929 Chief Executive Officer: Steve Stewart Director of Children's Services: Paul Moffat Address: Northumberland County Council

County Hall

Morpeth

Northumberland

NE61 2EF

Tel: 01670 533000 Fax: 01670 533750 Website: www.northumberland.gov.uk

NOTTINGHAM

Code: 892 Chief Executive Officer: Jane Todd Director of Children's Services: Ian Curryer Address: Sandfield Centre

Sandfield Road

Lenton

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG7 1QH

Tel: 0115 915 5555 Fax: 0115 9154580 Email: customer.services@nottinghamcity.gov.uk Website: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Code: 891 Chief Executive Officer: Mick Burrows Director of Children's Services: Anthony May Address: Nottinghamshire County Council

County Hall

West Bridgford

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG2 7QP

Tel: 0115 982 3823 Fax: 0115 981 2824 Email: info@nottscc.gov.uk Website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

OLDHAM

Code: 353 Chief Executive Officer: Charlie Parker Director of Children's Services: Michael Jameson Address: Oldham Council

Civic Centre

West Street

Oldham

Greater Manchester

OL1 1UG

Tel: 0161 770 4193 Email: janet.donaldson@oldham.gov.uk Website: www.oldham.gov.uk

OXFORDSHIRE

Code: 931 Chief Executive Officer: Joanna Simons Director of Children's Services: Meena Spillett Address: Oxfordshire County Council

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

Oxfordshire

OX1 1ND

Tel: 01865 792422 Fax: 01865 815224 Email: online@oxfordshire.gov.uk Website: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

PETERBOROUGH

Code: 874 Chief Executive Officer: Gillian Beasley Director of Children's Services: John Richards Address: Peterborough City Council

Town Hall

Bridge Street

Peterborough

Northamptonshire

PE1 1HL

Tel: 01733 747474 Fax: 01733 452645 Email: ask@peterborough.gov.uk Website: www.peterborough.gov.uk

PLYMOUTH

Code: 879 Chief Executive Officer: Barry Keel Director of Children's Services: Browen Lacey Address: Plymouth City Council

Civic Centre

Plymouth

Plymouth, City of

PL1 2AA

Tel: 01752 668000 Fax: 01752 304880 Email: enquiries@plymouth.gov.uk Website: www.plymouth.gov.uk

POOLE

Code: 836 Chief Executive Officer: John McBride Director of Children's Services: Anne Newton Address: Borough of Poole Council

Civic Centre

Poole

Dorset

Poole

BH15 2RU

Tel: 01202 633633 Email: enquiries@boroughofpoole.com Website: www.poole.gov.uk

PORTSMOUTH

Code: 851 Chief Executive Officer: David Williams Director of Children's Services: Julian Wooster Address: Portsmouth City Council

Civic Offices

Guildhall Square

Portsmouth

Portsmouth

PO1 2BG

Tel: 023 92822251 Email: general@portsmouthcc.gov.uk Website: www.portsmouth.gov.uk

READING

Code: 870 Chief Executive Officer: Dave Peasley Director of Children's Services: Anna Wright Address: Reading Borough Council

Civic Centre

Reading

Reading

RG1 7TD

Tel: 0118 939 0900 Fax: 0118 958 9770 Website: www.reading.gov.uk

REDBRIDGE

Code: 317 Chief Executive Officer: Roger Hampson Director of Children's Services: Pat Reynolds Address: London Borough of Redbridge

Town Hall

PO Box 2

Ilford

Redbridge

IG1 1DD

Tel: 020 8554 5000 Email: customer.cc@redbridge.gov.uk Website: www.redbridge.gov.uk

REDCAR AND CLEVELAND

Code: 807 Chief Executive Officer: Amanda Skelton Director of Children's Services: Mike Dillon Address: Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

Town Hall

South Bank

Redcar and Cleveland

TS6 9AR

Tel: 01642 774774 Website: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

RICHMOND UPON THAMES

Code: 318 Chief Executive Officer: Gillian Norton Director of Children's Services: Nick Whitfield Address: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Civic Centre

44, York Street

Twickenham

Richmond Upon Thames

TW1 3BZ

Tel: 020 8891 1411 Email: customer.services@richmond.gov.uk Website: www.richmond.gov.uk

ROCHDALE

Code: 354 Chief Executive Officer: Roger Ellis Director of Children's Services: Cheryl Eastwood Address: Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

PO Box 70

Municipal Offices

Smith Street

Rochdale

Greater Manchester

OL16 1YD

Tel: 01706 647474 Email: council@rochdale.gov.uk Website: www.rochdale.gov.uk

ROTHERHAM

Code: 372 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Kimber Director of Children's Services: Joyce Thacker Address: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Eric Manns Building

45 Moorgate Street

Rotherham

South Yorkshire

Rotherham

S60 2RB

Tel: 01709 382121 Website: www.rotherham.gov.uk

RUTLAND

Code: 857 Chief Executive Officer: Helen Briggs Director of Children's Services: Carol Chambers Address: Rutland County Council

Catmose

Oakham

Rutland

Rutland

LE15 6HP

Tel: 01572 722577 Fax: 01572 758307 Email: enquiries@rutland.gov.uk Website: www.rutland.gov.uk

SALFORD

Code: 355 Chief Executive Officer: Barbara Spicer Director of Children's Services: Nick Page Address: Salford City Council

Civic Centre

Chorley Road

Swinton

Salford

Greater Manchester

M27 5DA

Tel: 0161 794 4711 Email: information.centre@salford.gov.uk Website: www.salford.gov.uk

SANDWELL

Code: 333 Chief Executive Officer: Allison Fraser Director of Children's Services: Barbara Peacock Address: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Shaftesbury House

402 High Street

West Bromwich

Sandwell

B70 9LY

Tel: 0121 569 8204 Fax: 0121 569 8324 Email: childrenand_youngpeoplesservices@sandwell.gov.uk Website: www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk

SEFTON

Code: 343 Chief Executive Officer: Margaret Carney Director of Children's Services: Peter Morgan Address: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Southport

Sefton

PR8 1DA

Tel: 0845 140 0845 Email: contact@sefton.gov.uk Website: www.sefton.gov.uk

SHEFFIELD

Code: 373 Chief Executive Officer: Sir Robert Kerslake Director of Children's Services: Sonia Sharp Address: Sheffield City Council

Town Hall

Surrey Street

Sheffield

Sheffield

S1 2HH

Tel: 0114 272 6444 Email: firstpoint@sheffield.gov.uk Website: www.sheffield.gov.uk

SHROPSHIRE

Code: 893 Chief Executive Officer: Mr. Kim Ryley Director of Children's Services: David Taylor Address: Shropshire County Council

Shirehall

Abbey Foregate

Shrewsbury

Shropshire

Shropshire

SY2 6ND

Tel: 0845 678 9000 Fax: 01743 252827 Website: www.shropshire-cc.gov.uk

SLOUGH

Code: 871 Chief Executive Officer: Ruth Bagley Director of Children's Services: Clair Pyper Address: Slough Borough Council

Town Hall

Bath Road

Slough

Slough

SL1 3UQ

Tel: 01753 475111 Email: enquiries@slough.gov.uk Website: www.slough.gov.uk

SOLIHULL

Code: 334 Chief Executive Officer: Mark Rogers Director of Children's Services: Vanessa Bishop Address: Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

PO Box 20

Council House

Solihull

West Midlands

Solihull

B91 3QU

Tel: 0121 704 6000 Fax: 0121 704 6114 Email: customer@solihull.gov.uk Website: www.solihull.gov.uk

SOMERSET

Code: 933 Chief Executive Officer: Sheila Wheeler Director of Children's Services: David Taylor Address: Somerset County Council

County Hall

Taunton

Somerset

Somerset

TA1 4DY

Tel: 0845 345 9166 Fax: 01823 355332 Email: djtaylor@somerset.gov.uk Website: www.somerset.gov.uk

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Code: 803 Chief Executive Officer: Amanda Deeks Director of Children's Services: Therese Gillespie Address: South Gloucestershire Council

The Council Offices

Castle Street

Thornbury

South Gloucestershire

South Gloucestershire

BS35 1HF

Tel: 01454 868009 Fax: 01454 863855 Website: www.southglos.gov.uk

SOUTH TYNESIDE

Code: 393 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Swales Director of Children's Services: Helen Watson Address: South Tyneside Council

Town Hall & Civic Offices, Westoe Road

South Shields

Tyne and Wear

South Tyneside

NE33 2RL

Tel: 0191 427 1717 Website: www.southtyneside.info

SOUTHAMPTON

Code: 852 Chief Executive Officer: Brad Roynon Director of Children's Services: Clive Webster Address: Southampton City Council

Civic Centre

Southampton

Southampton

SO14 7LY

Tel: 023 8022 3855 Email: gateway@southampton.gov.uk Website: www.southampton.gov.uk

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

Code: 882 Chief Executive Officer: Robert Tinlin Director of Children's Services: Paul Greenhalgh Address: Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

Civic Centre

Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-Sea

Essex

SS2 6ER

Tel: 01702 215000 Website: www.southend.gov.uk

SOUTHWARK

Code: 210 Chief Executive Officer: Annie Shepperd Director of Children's Services: Romi Bowen Address: London Borough of Southwark, Town Hall

Peckham Road

London

Southwark

SE5 8UB

Tel: 020 7525 5050 Email: webinfo@southwark.gov.uk Website: www.southwark.gov.uk

ST HELENS

Code: 342 Chief Executive Officer: Carole Hudson Director of Children's Services: Susan Richardson Address: St Helens Council

Town Hall

Victoria Square

St Helens

Merseyside

WA10 1HP

Tel: 01744 456789 Email: contactcentre@sthelens.gov.uk Website: www.sthelens.gov.uk

STAFFORDSHIRE

Code: 860 Chief Executive Officer: Nick Bell Director of Children's Services: Sally Rees Address: Staffordshire County Council

Chief Executive's Office

PO Box 11

County Buildings

Stafford

Staffordshire

ST16 2LH

Tel: 01785 223121 Fax: 01785 215153 Website: www.staffordshire.gov.uk

STOCKPORT

Code: 356 Chief Executive Officer: Eamonn Boylan Director of Children's Services: Andrew Webb Address: Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Stockport

Cheshire

SK1 3XE

Tel: 0161 480 4949 Email: stockport.council@stockport.gov.uk Website: www.stockport.gov.uk

STOCKTON-ON-TEES

Code: 808 Chief Executive Officer: Neil Schneider Director of Children's Services: Jane Humphreys Address: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Municipal Buildings

PO Box 11

Church Road

Stockton-on-Tees

Stockton-on-tees

TS18 1LD

Tel: 01642 393939 Email: member.services@stockton.gov.uk Website: www.stockton.gov.uk

STOKE-ON-TRENT

Code: 861 Chief Executive Officer: John van de Laarschot Director of Children's Services: Sharon Menghini Address: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Civic Centre

Glebe Street

Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent

ST4 1RN

Tel: 01782 234567 Email: enquiries@stoke.gov.uk Website: www.stoke.gov.uk

SUFFOLK

Code: 935 Chief Executive Officer: Andrea Hill Director of Children's Services: Simon White Address: Suffolk County Council

Endeavor House

8,Russell Road

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP1 2BX

Tel: 0845 606 6067 Email: customerservice@csduk.com Website: www.suffolk.gov.uk

SUNDERLAND

Code: 394 Chief Executive Officer: G. Fitzgerald Director of Children's Services: Dr. Helen Paterson Address: Sunderland City Council

PO Box 100

Civic Centre

Burdon Road

Sunderland

Tyne and Wear

SR2 7DN

Tel: 0191 520 5555 Fax: 0191 553 1020 Email: enquiries@sunderland.gov.uk Website: www.sunderland.gov.uk

SURREY

Code: 936 Chief Executive Officer: David McNulty Director of Children's Services: Andy Roberts Address: Surrey County Council

Penrhyn Road

Kingston upon Thames

Surrey

KT1 2DJ

Tel: 08456 009 009 Fax: 020 8541 9004 Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk

SUTTON

Code: 319 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Martin Director of Children's Services: Ian Birnbaum Address: London Borough of Sutton

Civic Offices

St. Nicholas Way

Sutton

Sutton

SM1 1EA

Tel: 0208 770 5000 Website: www.sutton.gov.uk

SWINDON

Code: 866 Chief Executive Officer: Gavin Jones Director of Children's Services: John Gilbert Address: Swindon Borough Council

Civic Offices

Euclid Street

Swindon

Swindon

SN1 2JH

Tel: 01793 463000 Email: customerservices@swindon.gov.uk Website: www.swindon.gov.uk

TAMESIDE

Code: 357 Chief Executive Officer: Steven Pleasant Director of Children's Services: Jim Taylor Address: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Council Offices

Wellington Road

Ashton-under-Lyne

Tameside

OL6 6DL

Tel: 0161 342 8355 Fax: 0161 342 3070 Email: chief.executive@tameside.gov.uk Website: www.tameside.gov.uk

TELFORD AND WREKIN

Code: 894 Chief Executive Officer: Victor Brownlees Director of Children's Services: Victor Brownlees Address: Telford and Wrekin Council

PO Box 440

Civic Offices

Telford

Telford and Wrekin

TF3 4WF

Tel: +44(0)1952 380000 Website: www.telford.gov.uk

THURROCK

Code: 883 Chief Executive Officer: Graham Farrant Director of Children's Services: Jo Olsson Address: Thurrock Borough Council

Civic Offices

New Road

Grays

Essex

RM17 6SL

Tel: 01375 652652 Fax: 01375 652792 Email: jkramer@thurrock.gov.uk Website: www.thurrock.gov.uk

TORBAY

Code: 880 Chief Executive Officer: Elizabeth Raikes Director of Children's Services: Dr. Carol Tozer Address: Torbay Council

Town Hall

Castle Circus

Torquay

Devon

TQ1 3DR

Tel: 01803 201201 Email: fss@torbay.gov.uk Website: www.torbay.gov.uk

TOWER HAMLETS

Code: 211 Chief Executive Officer: Kevan Collins Director of Children's Services: Isobel Cattermole Address: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Town Hall

Mulberry Place

5 Clove Crescent

London

Tower Hamlets

E14 2BG

Tel: 020 7364 5000 Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

TRAFFORD

Code: 358 Chief Executive Officer: Janet Callender Director of Children's Services: Deborah Brownlee Address: Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

Trafford Town Hall

Talbot Road

Stretford

Manchester

Lancashire

M32 OYH

Tel: 0161 912 2000 Email: trafford.direct@trafford.gov.uk Website: www.trafford.gov.uk

WAKEFIELD

Code: 384 Chief Executive Officer: John Foster Director of Children's Services: Elaine McHale Address: Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

Town Hall

Wood Street

Wakefield

WF1 2HQ

Tel: 01924 306090 Website: www.wakefield.gov.uk

WALSALL

Code: 335 Chief Executive Officer: Paul Sheehan Director of Children's Services: Pauline Pilkington Address: Walsall Council

The Civic Centre

Walsall

WS1 1TP

Tel: 01922 650000 Fax: 01922 720885 Email: info@walsall.gov.uk Website: www.walsall.gov.uk

WALTHAM FOREST

Code: 320 Chief Executive Officer: Martin Esom Director of Children's Services: Chris Kiernan Address: Walthamstow Town Hall

Forrest Road

Walthamstow

London

Waltham Forest

E17 4JF

Tel: 020 8496 3000 Fax: 020 8496 8434 Email: wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk Website: www.lbwf.gov.uk

WANDSWORTH

Code: 212 Chief Executive Officer: Gerald Jones Director of Children's Services: Paul Robinson Address: London Borough of Wandsworth, Town Hall

Wandsworth High Street

London

Wandsworth

SW18 2PU

Tel: 020 8871 6000 Email: enquiries@wandsworth.gov.uk Website: www.wandsworth.gov.uk

WARRINGTON

Code: 877 Chief Executive Officer: Diana Terris Director of Children's Services: Kath O'Dwyer Address: Warrington Borough Council

New Town House

Buttermarket Street

Warrington

Lancashire

WA1 2NJ

Tel: 01925 444400 Website: www.warrington.gov.uk

WARWICKSHIRE

Code: 937 Chief Executive Officer: Jim Graham Director of Children's Services: Marion Davis Address: Warwickshire County Council

Children,Young People & Families Directorate

Saltersford Office Park

Ansell Way

Warwick

Warwickshire

CV34 4UL

Tel: 0845 090 7000 Fax: 01926 412377 Website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk

WEST BERKSHIRE

Code: 869 Chief Executive Officer: Nick Carter Director of Children's Services: Margaret Goldie Address: West Berkshire Council, Council Offices

Market Street

Newbury

West Berkshire

RG14 5LD

Tel: 01635 42400 Fax: 01635 519479 Email: info@westberks.gov.uk Website: www.westberks.gov.uk

WEST SUSSEX

Code: 938 Chief Executive Officer: Mark Hammond Director of Children's Services: John Dixon Address: West Sussex County Council

County Hall

West Street

Chichester

West Sussex

PO19 1RQ

Tel: 01243 777100 Website: www.westsussex.gov.uk

WESTMINSTER

Code: 213 Chief Executive Officer: Mike More Director of Children's Services: David Hawker Address: Westminster City Council

PO Box 240

Westminster City Hall

64 Victoria Street

London

Westminster

SW1E 6QP

Tel: 020 7641 6000 Fax: 020 7245 5510 Website: www.westminster.gov.uk

WIGAN

Code: 359 Chief Executive Officer: Joyce Redfearn Director of Children's Services: Nick Hudson Address: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Library Street

Wigan

Greater Manchester

WN1 1YN

Tel: 01942 244991 Website: www.wiganmbc.gov.uk

WILTSHIRE

Code: 865 Chief Executive Officer: Keith Robinson Director of Children's Services: Carolyn Godfrey Address: Wiltshire County Council, County Hall

Bythesea Road

Trowbridge

Wiltshire

BA14 8JN

Tel: 01225 713000 Fax: 01225 713145 Email: info@wiltshire.gov.uk Website: www.wiltshire.gov.uk

WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD

Code: 868 Chief Executive Officer: Ian Trenholm Director of Children's Services: Cliff Turner Address: Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and Berkshire

Town Hall

St Ives Road

Maidenhead

Windsor and Maidenhead, Royal Borough of

SL6 1RF

Tel: 01628 683800 Fax: 01628 796408 Email: customer.service@rbwm.gov.uk Website: www.rbwm.gov.uk

WIRRAL

Code: 344 Chief Executive Officer: Stephen Maddox Director of Children's Services: Howard Cooper Address: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

Town Hall

Brighton Street

Wallasey

Cheshire

CH44 8ED

Tel: 0151 606 2000 Email: comments@wirral.gov.uk Website: www.wirral.gov.uk

WOKINGHAM

Code: 872 Chief Executive Officer: Susan Law Director of Children's Services: Andy Couldrick Address: Wokingham District Council

PO Box 150

Shute End

Wokingham

RG40 1WQ

Tel: 0118 974 6000 Email: wokinghamdc@wokingham.gov.uk Website: www.wokingham.gov.uk

WOLVERHAMPTON

Code: 336 Chief Executive Officer: Richard Carr Director of Children's Services: Roy Lockwood Address: Wolverhampton City Council

Civic Centre

St Peter's Square

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton City Council

WV1 1SH

Tel: 01902 556556 Fax: 01902 551195 Email: enquiries@wolverhampton.gov.uk Website: www.wolverhampton.gov.uk

WORCESTERSHIRE

Code: 885 Chief Executive Officer: Trish Haines Director of Children's Services: Gail Quinton Address: Worcestershire County Council, County Hall

Spetchley Road

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 2NP

Tel: 01905 763763 Fax: 01905 763000 Website: www.worcestershire.gov.uk

YORK

Code: 816 Chief Executive Officer: Kersten England Director of Children's Services: Peter Dwyer Address: City of York Council

Guildhall

York

York

Y01 9QN

Tel: 01904 551550 Fax: 01904 554249 Email: comments@york.gov.uk Website: www.york.gov.uk

In SCOTLAND

ChildLine in Scotland (Aberdeen)

3rd Floor

Ruby House

8 Ruby Place

Aberdeen

AB10 1ZP

Tel: 0844 892 0200

ChildLine in Scotland (Glasgow)

Tara House

46 Bath Street

Glasgow

G2 1HG

Tel: 0207 650 6730

ChildLine in Scotland (Edinburgh)

11 Thistle Street

Edinburgh

EH2 1DF

Tel: 0207 650 3340

For media enquiries, please contact the Scottish media office (based in Glasgow) on 0207 650 6767.

AUSTRALIA
Australian links on child abuse prevention

These links have a geographic bias to Australia, but also contain key references to international sites. All links have been visited and chosen on the basis of their content and many are good starting points for locating other Australian and international sites concerned with child abuse prevention, child protection and out-of-home care.

Australia

 National

 Australian Capital Territory

 New South Wales

 Northern Territory

 Queensland

 South Australia

 Tasmania

 Victoria

 Western Australia

National

Adults Surviving Child Abuse (formerly known as Advocates for Survivors of Child Abuse)

ASCA is a national charity which focuses exclusively on advancing the needs of the more than 2 million Australian adults surviving child abuse. ASCA was formed in 1995 and its current activities encompass: a 1300 information/support line – 1300 657 380, website, newsletters for survivors and health professionals, workshops for survivors and their supporters, education and training programs for health care professionals and frontline workers. ASCA is currently developing a national network of services and practitioners with the experience and expertise to specifically address survivors’ needs. ASCA is the key national Australian organization to support adults who have experienced all forms of child abuse and neglect.

ActionAid Australia (formerly Austcare)

ActionAid Australia (AAA) works alongside poor, excluded and vulnerable people to end poverty and injustice together. We to respond to human insecurity in conflict and emergencies and work with refugees and displaced persons through the Protection Rapid Response Register (RRR), among other activities.

Australian and New Zealand Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ANZATSA)

http://www.anzatsa.org/

The Australian and New Zealand Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers is dedicated to community protection and safety, through the promotion of professional standards, practices and education in sex offender management, treatment, assessment and research.

Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network

http://www.earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/

The Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network offers key resources to help understand and respond to the diverse and complex needs of children, adolescents and their families. It provides an online forum for people to communicate and share information and expertise. The network addresses the mental health impacts of multiple losses and potentially traumatic experiences. These experiences include: the death of a parent or other loved one, family break up; child abuse and neglect, assault or severe bullying; homelessness, family violence; serious accidents, injuries or chronic illness; disasters, terrorism or other major incidents; and other adversities within families and communities.

Australian Childhood Foundation

http://www.childhood.org.au

Australian Childhood Foundation (formerly known as Australians Against Child Abuse) aims to promote children's right by providing education, lobbying, advocacy and information exchange, policy input, direct service delivery and training. The organisation offers specialist and innovative therapy and assessment services to abused children and their families. It also provides an education and consultation program to community professionals working in the field of child abuse and family violence.

Australian Council for Children & Youth Organisations

http://www.accyo.org.au

The Australian Council was established in 2001 with the goal of developing standards and a transparent accreditation process for organisations working with children and young people. The Council is an initiative of some of Australia's leading philanthropic trusts and foundations, in partnership with community service organisations, the Police, Magistrates and the Judiciary.

Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse

http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/

The Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse, established in October 1999, is a national resource on issues of domestic and family violence. It provides a central point for the collection and dissemination of Australian domestic and family violence policy, practice and research. The Clearinghouse also provides information on international efforts to end these forms of violence. It aims to meet the information needs of government agencies, generalist and specialist service providers, researchers and interested members of the public.

Australian National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline

http://www. disabilityhotline.org/index.html

The Australian National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline is an Australia-wide telephone hotline for reporting abuse and neglect of people with disabilities using government funded services. Its services are used by people of all ages including children. Reports of abuse are referred to the appropriate authority for investigation. It also contains useful links to other related organisations and services.

Bullying in Schools

http://www.education.unisa.edu.au/bullying/

The Bullying in Schools is a site which provides information on available resources concerned with bullying in schools in Australia. The purpose of these pages is to provide information that will help people to understand more about bullying in schools and how it can be stopped. It is of special interest to educators, children and parents.

Bullying. No Way!

This site has been developed and managed by all Australian education authorities for use by Australia's Government, Catholic and Independent school communities, with the aim of creating learning environments where every student and school community member is safe, supported, respected, valued – and free from bullying, violence, harassment and discrimination.

Bursting the Bubble

http://www.burstingthebubble.com/

This is a new website for teenagers who are living with family violence - witnessing domestic violence, experiencing physical or sexual abuse or neglect. It provides information to help young people identify forms of abuse and violence in families, stories, answers to questions about telling professionals or child protection, ideas on dealing with feelings, safety planning, services available, and how to help a friend.

CACET

http://www.cacetaustralia.com.au/

Child Abuse Consultancy Education and Training (CACET) offers a wide range of seminars designed to equip professionals and volunteers who work with children to manage and appropriately respond to suspicions of, or disclosures of, child maltreatment throughout Australia and the Asia/Pacific region. Its primary goal is to protect children from all forms of abuse and sexual exploitation.

Catholic Social Services

http://catholicsocialservices.org.au/

Catholic Social Services is the national peak body representing the Catholic welfare agencies that operate under the auspice of Catholic archbishops and bishops in dioceses throughout Australia. Agencies provide over 60 different counselling, education, welfare, and support programs and operate from in excess of 90 established centres and venues.

Child Wise Australia (formerly ECPAT: Ending Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking)

http://www.childwise.net/

In September 2001 ECPAT Australia was incorporated into a new organisation called Child Wise, which is part of a global network of organisations working together for the elimination of child prostitution, child sex tourism, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes.

Children of Parents with a Mental llness

http://www.copmi.net.au/cpj/index.html

Children of Parents with a Mental llness provides information relevant to workers in the Child Protection and Justice fields when working with families where a parent has a mental illness.

Children's Protection Society (CPS)

http://www.cps.org.au/

CPS began in 1896, and was responsible for investigating and reporting on child abuse and neglect until welfare policy and legislative reform in 1985 resulted in changes to its role, but not to its ultimate objective: the reduction of child abuse and neglect. The CPS is responsible for a number of family support programs.

Closing the Gap Clearinghouse

The Closing the Gap Clearinghouse provides a central point of access for evidence-based research on overcoming disadvantage for Indigenous Australians.

Create Foundation

Formerly Australian Association of Young People in Care (AAYPIC) and NSW State Network of Young People in Care (SNYPIC)

http://www.create.org.au/

Create Foundation aims to support and improve the opportunities for children and young people in care. Create runs programs and services to: connect children and young people to each other and their communities build skills and resources for children and young people in care, and change the care system from the inside out through the participation of children and young people themselves.

Defence for Children International Australia

http://www.dci-au.org/

The Australian Section of Defence for Children International is the local link in a global chain of children's rights agencies recognised by the United Nations. The Convention on the Rights of the Child focuses on people under 18 years of age. It sets out the principles which guide DCI's actions and campaigns: children's rights to protection, provision, promotion and participation.

HealthInfoNet

HealthInfoNet is a 'one-stop info-shop' that aims to contribute to 'closing the gap' in health between Indigenous and other Australians by informing practice and policy in Indigenous health by making research and other knowledge readily accessible.

Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse

http://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/

The Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse is a collaborative partnership between the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) and the Attorney General's Department of NSW (AGD), and is endorsed by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General. The Clearinghouse is a national resource on Indigenous justice, and aims to promote discussion and disseminate relevant Indigenous justice information to government policy makers and those working in the Indigenous justice field.

Kids Help Line

http://www.kidshelp.com.au/

Kids Help Line provides professional counselling service accessible to all Australian children; facilitates more productive relationships with parents, teachers and care givers; advocates on behalf of children and young people where their interests are ignored or unrepresented; and provides information on support services in the caller's local area.

Lawstuff

http://www.lawstuff.org.au/

Lawstuff is an initiative of the National Children's and Youth Law Centre, an independent, non-profit organisation working for all Australians under the age of 25, which aims to to improve the conditions and opportunities of Australian children and young people.

Lifeline's Just Look

http://www.justlook.org.au/

Lifeline's Just Look is an online national database of health and community services offered throughout Australia. It is a free, confidential 24 hour service available online.

Mensline Australia

http://www.menslineaus.org.au/

Mensline Australia is a dedicated service for men with relationship and family concerns. It is a national telephone counselling, information and referral service.

National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN)

http://www.napcan.org.au/

NAPCAN works for the prevention of all forms of child abuse and neglect and towards greater community awareness of child abuse and neglect as a major issue facing our nation. Services include: provision of community education material which has universal application utilised by government departments, agencies, community groups, schools, hospitals and police; biannual national conference with a prevention focus; and initiation and national coordination of National Child Protection Week (held annually). There are separate offices in each state.

National Children's and Youth Law Centre

http://www.ncylc.org. au/navabout.htm

The NCYLC is the only national legal centre dedicated to addressing human rights issues for children and young people through legal change. The role of the organisation is to: promote and protect children's and young people's rights; advocate for legal and policy reform affecting children and young people; and promote research and information dissemination on children's rights and legal issues. Services include: individual legal information and advice for children and young people; policy submissions and advocacy; research and discussion paper publications (at a small cost); newsletter (available on subscription); and reference library.

Play by the Rules

Play by the Rules provides information and online learning for community sport and recreation on how to: prevent and deal with discrimination, harassment and child abuse; and develop inclusive and welcoming environments for participation. It is is a unique partnership between the Australian Sports Commission, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, all state and territory sport and recreation and anti-discrimination agencies and the Queensland Commission for Children, Young People and Child Guardian.

Raising Children Network

http://www.raisingchildren.net.au/

The Raising Children Network website provides practical tools and up-to-date information on child health, safety, nutrition, learning, parental wellbeing, family management and kids' activities. The website caters to fathers, mothers, grandparents and anyone else caring for children. It also speaks to teachers, child care workers, general practitioners, human resource departments, and others working with families and children.

Relationships Australia

Relationships Australia is an Australia wide organisation providing relaionship support services. It is committed to enhancing the lives of communities, families and individuals and supporting positive and respectful relationships. It has a federated structure with large autonomous member organisations in every state and territory and a national office based in Canberra.

Save the Children

http://www. savethechildren.org.au

Save the Children aims to ensure all children, regardless of gender, race, country of origin or religious belief have the means of survival, receive protection and have access to nutrition, primary health care and basic education. It works for a world that respects and values each child, that listens to children and learns, and where all children have hope and opportunity.

Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC)

http://www.snaicc.asn.au/

SNAICC is the national non government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Its mission is to provide a strong voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families through a national body which represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's services and promotes the rights, needs and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

State and Territory Departments Responsible for Protecting Children

http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/resources/state.html

This list provides information on Australian State and Territory Departments responsible for issues dealing with child protection.

ThinkUKnow

ThinkUKnow is an Internet safety program delivering interactive training to parents, carers and teachers through primary and secondary schools. Created by the UK Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, ThinkUKnow Australia has been developed by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Microsoft Australia and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

Australian Capital Territory

Care and Protection Services, Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services

http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/ocyfs/services/care_and_protection

Care and Protection services is responsible for facilitating coordination across government for the care and protection of children and young people. Care and Protection services and an After Hours service, provide a continuum of service delivery to children and young people considered 'at risk' of serious harm.

New South Wales

Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Inc (ACWA)

http://www.acwa.asn.au/

The Association is a peak (umbrella) organisation for non government welfare service providers to children and young people and their families. The Association undertakes projects on child and adolescent welfare; publishes a newsletter and occasional Issues Papers; and advocates for better quality of care available to 'at risk' dependent children and young persons who need substitute care in the state of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Barnardos Australia

http://www.barnardos.org.au/

Barnardos is a non denominational, non government welfare organisation which aims to prevent and reverse the effects of abuse, neglect and homelessness on children and young people.

Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS)

http://www.childabuseprevention.com.au/

The aim of the Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS) is to alleviate child abuse in all its forms and to prevent morbidity through the support of those persons who are abusing or are at risk of abusing children. The program contributes to the understanding of child abuse and to changing the community's attitude towards it. CAPS is a non profit making organisation and provides 24 hour crisis support for its clients. It provides counselling and ongoing support for victims, families and perpetrators in the child sexual assault area. Assistance is provided in the training of medical, nursing, social work and welfare students by lecture, seminar and placement and of secondary students by lecture.

Criminal Justice Research Network

http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/Lawlink/executive/ll_cjrn.nsf/pages/cjrn_index

The Network was initiated in 2004 by the Standing Committee of Criminal Justice System Chief Executive Officers to promote evidence-based policy making across the justice sector. The Network actively disseminates research and conducts a series of research seminars, along with a coordinated approach to justice sector research. The website includes information on forthcoming projects, and justice research and data in NSW.

Keep them safe: A shared approach to child wellbeing

This website provides information on key changes in child protection in New South Wales, and provides useful links to more specialised information.

NSW Commission for Children and Young People

http://kids.nsw.gov.au/

The NSW Commission for Children and Young People was established as an independent organisation reporting directly to the Parliament of New South Wales to listen to children and young people and to promote their interests. The Commission has three main priorities that guide its work: to increase the participation of children and young people in making decisions that affect their lives; to promote the safety and welfare of children and young people; and to strengthen the important relationships in the lives of children and young people and improve their well being.

Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG)

http://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/

The Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG) is a government department set up to promote the best interests and rights of children and young people in out-of-home care in NSW. The OCG promotes the best interests of all children and young persons in out-of-home care, ensures the rights of all children and young persons in out-of-home care are safeguarded and promoted, and accredits designated agencies and to monitor their responsibilities under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 and the regulations.

Protective Behaviours Consultancy Group of NSW Inc

http://www.protective-behaviours.org.au/

Protective Behaviours is a living skills program which enables people of all ages to develop strategies to help them deal with all forms of difficult situations. As a safety program it can also be used as a non threatening method of looking at more specific areas such as child abuse and domestic violence. This organisation provides training across NSW and also provides and develops resources for the implementation of the Protective Behaviours program.

Northern Territory

Northern Territory Families Website

http://www.families.nt.gov.au/asp/index.asp

This site is for Northern Territory families who are bringing up children. There is a separate section on issues dealing with child protection

Department of Health and Community Services

Family and Children's Services (FACS) Program

http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Agency/Advisory_Groups_and_Taskforces/FACS_Advisory_Council/index.aspx

The FACS Program provides a range of services that address issues such as the protection and care of children and the improvement of individual and family well being.

Protective Behaviours Consultancy

http://www.edsite.com.au/ pbwa/

Protective Behaviours encourages people to identify and deal with potentially unsafe or risky situations such as: being home alone; verbal, physical, sexual or emotional abuse; sexual harassment; bullying; and domestic violence. It provides people with strategies to keep themselves safe and cope with situations that threaten their well being.

Queensland

Abused Child Trust

http://www. abusedchildtrust.com.au

The major function of this Trust is to provide a specialist clinical program to address the needs of abused children and their families. Attached to this is a research program set up specifically to evaluate their clinical program. The Trust is also involved in advocacy and government lobbying and liaison, education and training. Services include infant and toddler program; early childhood program; and individual, couple and family therapy services.

Child Safety Australia

http://www.childsafety.org.au/

Children's Safety aims to maximise the safety and enhance the wellbeing of children and young people and encourage them to reach their full potential.

Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian

http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/

The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian promotes and protects the rights, interests and wellbeing of all Queenslanders under 18. The Commission speaks out for and supports children and young people, especially those most vulnerable; monitors and promotes laws, policies and practices that affect young people; investigates and helps solve complaints about services for young people; provides a statewide Community Visitors Program to support children and young people living in out-of-home care; and carries out Working with Children Checks to make sure those working with children and young people are suitable.

Department of Communities

Department of Child Safety

http://www.childsafety.qld.gov.au/

The Department provides services to children and families where child abuse or neglect has been alleged or identified. Allegations of child abuse and neglect are investigated and responded to with advice, information and assistance provided to families and community members. Emphasis is placed on maintaining children with their families and by educating and supporting parents to care for their children.

Human Trafficking Working Group

The website forms part of a collaborative research project by The University of Queensland’s TC Beirne School of Law and The University of British Columbia Faculty of Law and Centre of International Relations on the phenomenon of trafficking persons, exploitation of foreign workers in the sex industry and other forms of forced labour in Australia and Canada. The website provides an entry point for information on trafficking in persons to Australia and includes background documents, case reports, relevant legislation, as well as publications and presentations by the Working Group. Relevant statistics relating to trafficking prosecutions and victims of trafficking are also available.

Living Well

Living Well is a Queensland web resource designed to assist men who have experienced child sexual abuse or sexual assault. It acts as a collection point for information and resources that are useful for men who have been subjected to sexual violence, as well as for partners, friends, family and service providers.

Multicultural Development Association (MDA)

MDA aims to promote multiculturalism and act as a strategic mechanism for the empowerment of people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds through a range of community development, system advocacy, education and training, and service delivery activities. It has launched a new range of resources for migrants and refugees about child safety in Australia. The resources are in five languages, and provide information to parents about a number of issues that arise from the interface between culture and child safety.

Protective Behaviours Program.

http://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/protectiveBehaviours/

The Protective Behaviours program encourages people to identify and deal with potentially unsafe or risky situations such as: being home alone; verbal, physical, sexual or emotional abuse; sexual harassment; bullying; and domestic violence. It provides people with strategies to keep themselves safe and cope with situations that threaten their well being.

Safehands

Safehands is a state wide social marketing and education campaign designed to: increase public awareness; generate support from government agencies to reduce offending; provide support for potential witnesses who may know of offences and offenders; educate parents and the wider community that rough handing can harm children and is unacceptable; and enhance the community perception of government and non government agencies as pro-actively protecting and supporting children.

Who's chatting to your kids?

This site provides practical information about internet safety, including the technology being used by children and how you can reduce the risk of your child becoming a victim.

South Australia

Australian Centre for Child Protection

http://www.unisa.edu.au/childprotection/

The Australian Centre for Child Protection is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth Government (Department of Education, Science and Training) and the University of South Australia. Establishment of the Centre reflects increased community concern for the welfare of children, particularly those at risk of abuse or neglect. The Centre's impact will be leveraged through partnerships with stakeholders, through direct and indirect support for targeted research initiatives, and through facilitation of good practice in professional education. The Centre's impact is also realised through advocacy aimed at improvement in practice and contribution to policy in child protection.

Council for the Care of Children

The Council for the Care of Children is a statutory body established under the Children's Protection Act 1993. The website is a user friendly resource for children and young people's rights, and provides some of the latest research and policy directions about children and young people.

Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People

The South Australian Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People advocates for and promotes the best interests of children and young people who are under the care, custody or guardianship of the Minister for Families and Communities.

Tasmania

Child Protection Services

http://dhhs.tas.gov.au/health__and__wellbeing/children_and_families/related_topics/child_protection/services/child_protection_services

The Department of Health and Human Services brings together a wide range of services for the people of Tasmania - offering a range of support services, including child protection.

Child Protection Strategy

http://www.police.tas.gov.au/security_and_safety/child-protection

The Department of Police and Public Safety is responsible for the Child Protection Strategy which provides basic, informative and practical material to better equip Operational Police in their role of identifying and preventing child abuse and neglect in our communities.

Commissioner for Children

http://www.childcomm.tas.gov.au/

The Commissioner serves to promote and protect the rights of all children and young people in Tasmania with respect of their health, care, welfare, protection and development. The Commissioner acts independently, impartially and in the public interest.

Victoria

Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare provides representation, professional development, research, policy and program advice, publications and resources for 96 community service organisations in the child, youth and family services sector of Victoria. The Centre represents small, medium and large community service organisations spread across the State in metropolitan and country areas.

Child Protection and Juvenile Justice Branch

http://www.office-for-children.vic.gov.au/child-protection-family-services/home

Child Protection and Family Services within the section, Children, Youth and Families, in the Department of Human Services, is responsible for ensuring the safety and well being of adolescents and children at risk of harm, abuse or neglect. The Branch funds, supports and monitors services including Victoria's child protection service, accommodation and support services for children and adolescents in care, adoption and permanent care, and juvenile justice services.

Children's Welfare Association of Victoria

http://www.cwav.asn.au

This organisation is the peak coordinating body for an extensive network of non government agencies that provide services to Victorian children, young people and families. It provides support, policy development and information dissemination, and works in liaison with other peak welfare bodies.

Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria

DVRCV is a statewide resource centre for information about domestic violence and sexual assault. It provides education and training, publications, consultation for workers, and referrals for those affected by family violence. It was formerly known as the Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre (DVIRC).

Office of the Child Safety Commissioner

http://www.ocsc.vic.gov.au/

The Office of the Child Safety Commissioner is a new organisation that makes children a priority. The Commissioner provides advice to the Minister for Children on issues impacting on the lives of children, in particular vulnerable children. This is achieved through listening to children, advocating on their behalf, being impartial, leading on child-safe practices, acting with integrity, and being held accountable.

Oz Child: Children Australia

http://www.ozchild.com.au

Oz Child is a Victorian, non government organisation committed to improving the quality of care, life opportunities and status of children throughout Australia by: taking or initiating action to protect or enhance the rights of children; providing or enabling direct services through a variety of disciplines for the benefit of children and their families; and influencing decisions or actions of individuals, organisations and governments where relevant to children and their families. Services include: foster care; respite care for children with disabilities; assisting with placement of children with disabilities into Family Day Care; shared family care; residential services for adolescents; learning centres to assist with learning disabilities, including assessment and treatment; research; information service; and the publication of a quarterly journal. Oz Child was established in 1993 when three long established child welfare agencies - Family Action, Family Focus (formerly the Victorian Children's Aid Society) and the National Children's Bureau of Australia - amalgamated to form Oz Child: Children Australia Inc.

Parenting Research Centre

http://www.parentingrc.org.au/

The Parenting Research Centre was established in 1997, and engages in a range of research activities to help parents raise children well. Their focus is generating new knowledge of how parenting practices affect children, and how best to engage and support parents in this rewarding but often challenging task.

Western Australia

Department for Child Protection

http://www.community.wa.gov.au/DCP/

The new Department for Child Protection will focus on meeting the needs of vulnerable children, their families and communities in Western Australia

Susan Sarandon crusades against Child Abuse

2010-08-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20012861-10391698.html

An interview with Stacey Danson by Author Poppet.

2010-08-03T19:15:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow I’ll be featuring the first chapter of Stacey Danson’s book Empty Chairs for you to read. Empty Chairs is going to be published by Night Publishing, a decision which makes me respect the owners of her publishing house. And I’d like to take this opportunity to also thank Tim for giving his permission for you to read Stacey’s first chapter tomorrow – Thank you Tim.

I wanted you to get to know a little bit about Stacey before you read the first chapter of her memoir tomorrow, to give you insight into what an amazing woman she is. Her sense of humour shines through, as does her humility.

I respect her greatly, I know she is more courageous than any president in any office who can get other people to fight his battles for him – yet is given the power to rule a country.

Life is war, some of us start off so deep in the trenches that you cannot fathom what *normal* is. Normal is relative. Tomorrow when you read Stacey’s excerpt, I want you to consider just how lucky you’ve had it in this life.

Humans are prone to complaining, about the weather, the traffic, inflation – whatever – just as long as the jaw is working and misery is oozing out. Stacey Danson manages to make all of those people seem utterly pathetic. She has every reason to complain, to blame her childhood, to blame society, to blame everyone – yet instead, she grabs each day with both hands and inhales deeply, grateful to be here, alive.

I am moved to tears just thinking about Stacey’s story. I urge you to never take a day for granted again. The next time you open your mouth to whinge, think about this woman. And please – read the excerpt tomorrow – it will transform you – forever. I am greatly honoured to have the opportunity to interview Stacey before Oprah does (grins).

Hi Stacey, thank you so much for allowing me to interview you. Your book Empty Chairs is an explosive account of your life behind closed doors, which takes courage and bravery to write.

• I’d like to know when did you first decide to write your memoirs?

Thanks for inviting me to your site, Poppet. Decision is a complex word isn’t it? I know the day I decided to write this was not one I’ll ever forget. I had promised someone very dear to me that ‘One Day’ I would share this. One day I would tell people about the things that happened, to me … and to her. Her name was Jenny. I met her living on the streets in the sixties. I was eleven, she was barely nine. For over 40 years we remained friends, supportive and loving. We kept each other’s secrets well hidden. Jenny committed suicide a year ago. I was utterly convinced that I had somehow let her down, I hadn’t written a word of it. I decided the day of her funeral, that it was time to honor that promise.

• Can you explain to the reader how it feels to revisit your past and make yourself so vulnerable again?

It would be an understatement to say this is a difficult process, I wasn’t prepared for the pounding my emotions would take. Stupid …yeah? I have worked so very hard all my life to keep this locked away, doing everything I could to shield myself from the memories. It was always there lingering on the outskirts like a nightmare that you have had and don’t ever want to have again. I thought at first that I could distance myself from it and write it down chronologically so I didn’t need to invest my emotions. I can be a stupid woman sometimes, this isn’t a story I’m creating as a work of fiction, the nausea and fear I am experiencing by writing it down are very real. I am showing strangers and friends alike my underbelly and hoping like shit that no-one takes advantage of me being so exposed. I feel like I have cut myself and the bleeding hasn’t stopped. Does that make any sense at all? (perfectly)

• Who did you write this book for? Is it for you, to help overcome the silence and the pain, or someone you love? (This is aside from the reader who you obviously want to influence when it comes to abuse in society).

At first I thought I was doing this as an honor thing for Jenny; then I tried convincing myself that it was only to make people aware of what happens behind closed doors. Finally and only after getting stinking drunk for a week solid I had to face the fact that this is just as much for me. I had never touched on more than just the basics of it with anyone. If I am to be truly honest this is as much for me as it is for anyone else. Facing the dragon and slaying the bloody thing is something long overdue. Whatever the outcome … it’s time.

• Has this book influenced your day to day life? Do people behave differently around you now – has it helped to open up about your past so that the future is baggage free?

Phew…three questions in one! Okay “has this book influenced my day to day life?” Hell yes. I have isolated myself from the outside world as much as humanly possible whilst I am writing this. My main contact with anyone in my life at the moment is via the internet and the telephone. Once a month I have friends over and they stay a weekend…that is keeping me sane…or as sane as possible. I order my groceries on-line and have them delivered. I go days at a time without seeing another human being. I am like a raw exposed nerve, and I don’t want to lash out at people who care about me … so until this is done, that’s the way I’ll just have to be. Not a good plan for my long term health and I know that, yet it’s the best I can do … I just don’t have anything left in me to give at the end of a day or nights writing.

“Do people behave differently around you now?” Uh huh…yeah, some do. Nothing really bad or at least so far, people that care about me were angry with me at first, really damned angry. It was as if I hadn’t trusted them enough to confide in them for all these years. I was shocked initially, at the anger. I had this vague notion that perhaps I wouldn’t still be loved if they really knew about my past. That was not a very fair way to look at the people that love me. Perhaps I should’ve trusted them more? Trust is still something I have problems with, I am learning … slowly. Whether I can ever completely lower my guard is debatable, I have built it so well over all these years. The other and more obvious thing that has happened is that friends that have known me a long time are being cautious what they say in front of me. It’s like… “Oh hell I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have told that joke.” Or… “Whoops sorry, I didn’t mean what I said to sound that way.” I have had to resort to yelling at them…I am the same female that you sat and got drunk with and hit on a year ago…I laugh at almost anything, have a very colorful vocabulary! I still eat, sleep, fart and take a crap the same way…so stop with the sensitivity already.

As for the future being baggage free…can any of us say without reservation that we are not a bi-product of the baggage we carry? I’m learning to lighten the weight of it. That’s the best I can manage for now.

• Do you have a motto?

I have several, most of which are too risque to put in an interview. I guess my favourite repeatable one is “If you always do, what you’ve always done. Then you’ll always get, what you always got.” That makes perfect sense to me.
•   If there is one thing you could change in this world what would it be?

Now that’s a heavy duty question! The one thing that I believe would make any difference in this screwed up world … yeah. I believe no child on this planet should ever go to sleep without knowing they are unconditionally loved. Simple.

• Do you have anyone you aspire to?
No.

• Name two things that make you happy?

My daughter. And Sunrise.

• If you could thank someone, who would you like to thank and why?

I feel like I’m getting an Oscar or something… “I would like to thank the members of the Academy and every person I have ever met and their relatives!” Sorry … seriously…yeah, apart from my friends and family…I would like to say a big thank you to Tim Roux and the other people at Night Publishing…it takes guts to take on a book like this. They believe in me … and that feels wonderful.

( It just takes one to believe in you for anything to be possible x)

Stacey thank you so much for your contribution to society. I know that Empty Chairs is not a fairy tale or the scribblings of a delusional woman, but a painful recollection of your past. The reader can never understand what it’s like to show people the horror of your history, but you are a phenomenal woman today, a gentle woman who takes each day as a precious gift, and I really hope our readers count their blessings after reading your excerpt. Thank you for letting us in.

Empty Chairs my story. Posted on Poppet Author's Brutal Tuesday blog

2010-08-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

We are honoured to feature chapter one of Stacey Danson’s book Empty Chairs on the blog today, as a preview for my blog readers. Thank you to Stacey and her publisher Night Publishing for allowing me this opportunity. Please read yesterday’s blog where I interview Stacey.

EMPTY CHAIRS

by STACEY DANSON

Recent events in my world have caused me to think deeply about the responsibility I have, that we all have, to make more people aware of what can and does happen in a home that may well be right next door to you.

Chapter One…

The sexual abuse began I think around three years of age … maybe four.

It began at first with fondling. An adult, usually my mother, would take my hand and place it on the male’s cock.

Not one man—there were many men. It was a game at first. A game that caused my mother to smile and give me hugs of approval.

Whatever male it happened to be at the time sure seemed happy about that game, so did mommy.

I had no idea what it was, or why I was doing it.

At that age, making my mommy smile was all that mattered.

Mommy didn’t smile at me or hug me much up until then; she liked to hit me with a strap and yell a lot of the time. Making her happy was imperative. If it meant that I had to wrap my small hands around a mans cock, and squeeze it up and down, then that is exactly what I would do. I still retch at the smell of cum.

I don’t recall when it was that I started to hate the game.

I do know that the first time they put a man’s cock in my mouth it made me gag, and I started to cry.

I had to be punished for that. Mommy and the man took it in turns to hit me. I was screaming, and begging them to please stop.

They thought that was funny and started laughing and making funny sounds, like a pig does when it squeals.

They dragged me to a small room in the back of the house where boxes and old things were stored.

No light came in to that room. It was smelly and dark. I could hear things scuttling around, but that didn’t frighten me. I remember feeling a little better knowing that some other live thing was in there with me.

The darkness and the lack of air to breathe caused fear. My heart was already pounding from the terror of the beating, and now I gasped for air, not recognizing or understanding that this was the beginning of a lifetime of battling claustrophobia.

That was my very first conscious memory of fear. I didn’t like it .

It seemed to me that this crying stuff was not such a good thing to do. I decided it would be better for me if I didn’t cry at all. Ever. I threw up all over myself. I remember that my back was sore and sticky; the singlet I had on was stuck to it.

I wasn’t wearing anything else.

I was unable to keep standing. My back hurt, and my small legs shook so badly I could no longer stay upright. I crawled across to the door and lay with my mouth as close to the crack of light at the base of the door as I could get. I drew in huge breaths of the air filtering in underneath.

I don’t know which of the adults present heard me gasping, but very quickly something was placed on the other side of the door to block out the light and the air.

I began to hum to myself so I wasn’t so alone. M.I.C.K.E.Y…M.O.U.S.E.

I find that I am writing this as if I were still four years old … forgive me, but I am writing what I remember and how I felt right at that moment. It is coming out this way. This is the way I will have to write it.

I have no idea how long I was kept in the dark place. It seemed to me that I slept and woke up a few times. I used a piece of paper to shit on. I was hungry and so thirsty. I started to feel sick again and vomited some more, but I had stopped wetting myself. I kept getting thirstier and my stomach began to cramp up. I just wanted to go to sleep and stay asleep.

Nothing could hurt me when I was sleeping.

When she came to get me out I was so–so grateful … she hugged me and told me that she would bathe me because I smelled bad.

If I was a good girl, I could have some lemonade and something to eat. I tried to drink all the lemonade at once and threw up again.

I waited for the slap.

She laughed instead, told me I was a silly-billy and to have small mouthfuls until my naughty tummy settled down.

She explained to me that I didn’t have to have that happen again as long as I did what the men wanted me to do. I recall saying that I would do anything I was told, “Please, mommy … can I not go back … in the dark place?” She smiled at me, and said, “Well—we shall just see how good you can be.”

Hey, I was bright. If she smiled and hugged me and called me silly-billy in her happy voice … well; sure I would do anything, anything at all.

She had to bathe me with my singlet on, as it had stuck fast to my back with dried blood. I wanted to cry when she finally peeled it off. I didn’t. There was no way I was going back in the dark place again.

I don’t want to remember a lot of what happened—but I do remember. I knew that writing it and taking myself back over the abuse would be difficult. I hadn’t counted on the panic or the flashbacks. I keep taking breaks outside, sitting in the cool night air and forcing myself to breathe deeply.

I must do this. I made a promise to someone that I would someday. Someday just got here a little later than I thought it would. I cannot distance my memories and reflect back unemotionally, because it was me … me feeling it; me living through and beyond it.

The area in which we lived was an inner suburb of Sydney, only five minutes by bus from the shining harbor. I never saw the harbor or the city until I was almost twelve years old. I never once spoke to the neighbours on either side of the house. They ignored the screams, nobody ever came to check on what was going on. They didn’t want to get involved. Nobody wanted to hear the sound of a small child begging for help.

I had never had a playmate or another child’s company.

When I wasn’t busy making mommy’s friends happy, I would sleep or watch the television. I had no idea how to read, or indeed what reading was. She had made no mention of me learning to write my name or write anything at all.

I was not permitted to go outside the house. If I did, it was to hurry to the corner shop and get mommy more cigarettes.

I was not permitted to speak to anyone; she always gave me a note and exact change.

I remember the fat little lady that worked in the shop would sometimes ask me how I was. I never answered; she believed that I was deaf or mute or both.

What I was … was afraid.

I was five when my mother decided I was old enough to have my virginity taken. I was told that I must not cry. I must not scream. I must not struggle.

She had only been waiting, saving my hymen to see just how high a price she could get for the privilege of breaking it. The privilege of raping a five year old.

I had by then found a safe place inside my mind, a box that only I had access too. Whenever I was inside it, I was safe … it was large and clean … with air that didn’t smell. It was here I retreated, when the need to cry overwhelmed me.

The loss of my virginity was painful; I felt as if my insides where being torn apart. My Mother held my arms above my head, and placed something that tasted vile inside my mouth. I went to my safe place … but I could still hear the man grunting, grunting like a fat old pig. The pain was worse than any beating I had had up to that point

My safe place was not enough that time. I heard myself screaming. Then I blacked out.

When I awoke, it was dark. I could move my arms as long as I did it slowly. Someone had placed a old piece of towel between my legs, to try and stem the bleeding.

I lay there for a long time, wishing and hoping that I could just go to sleep and stay asleep, and never ever wake up again.

Wishing doesn’t make it happen. I was learning and learning fast that hope was not an option.

She came in after a long while with some ice in a bag and placed it between my legs; she took the towel and looked at it to see how bad the bleeding was. The towel was replaced. She didn’t speak.

She returned with a tray of food and a pot of tea. She also had a small glass of something cold, which she told me I must drink, as it would make me sleep. It tasted dreadful, but if it was going to make me sleep, I drank it. I’m not certain, but I think it was a glass full of whisky. She soon got in the habit of giving me a glass or two whenever I had to service the men; it made me more amenable to whatever they wanted me to do.

Television was my only contact with the world beyond that place; I would watch it and take care to remember the way things happened. I watched shows like ‘Leave it to Beaver’, ‘Rin-Tin-Tin’, ‘Superman’, and my favorite ‘The Andy Griffith show’.

These television programs showed me a different world. I began to get the distinct impression that my life was not normal. It appeared to my five-year-old self that not every kid on the planet lived like I did.

She had no intention of me ever going to school. I had only heard about school from watching television, all those kids went to school.

All those kids laughed. All the kids came home and had cookies and milk. That seemed like a simple idea to me. I never saw Beaver Cleaver take a beating.

I asked her when I could go to this school place. I remember seeing something like panic on her face for the first time. She screamed at me and hit me hard in the face, “You stupid little bitch! Who have you been talking to?” She hit me again before I could answer and split my lip open. She was in one of her rages and wouldn’t stop. She kept at it until I fell and then took to me with the strap. I lost track of time. I have no idea how long I was unconscious. I think that perhaps several days passed. I have vague memories of opening my eyes and smelling the stench of my own shit.

When I came around, I began vomiting. She was sitting on a stool next to the bed. I was lying in her bed. There was a man sitting on the side of the bed; he took my temperature. He opened my eyes and flashed a little light in them. He looked familiar; I think he was one of the men who liked me to make them cum in my mouth.

He spoke to her as if he was angry “You got lucky this time. She will be okay, but don’t hit her around the head like that again. Do you understand me?” I had never ever heard anyone raise their voice like that to her. I lay there fascinated and waited for her to hit him.

She began to cry.

That was the moment that I began learning how to hate.

As with everything I had learned up to this point, I learned it well.

She sniveled and whined like a dog. The man looked at me and kind of smiled. I looked back at him, and did nothing.

I never called her mother again by choice. I began to call her the name some of the men called her, “Gwen.” The first time I spoke to her at all was a couple of days later. She was kind of edgy and not screaming as much as usual. I said, “Gwen, when can I go to school?”

“What did you call me?”

I said, “Gwen.” I couldn’t put a name to what I felt … not then. I now recognize it as the day I began to fight back.

Not much … but it was a beginning.

Gwen spoke to me rarely. When she did it was to issue instructions on what she expected of me, depending on the desires of the paying clients. If I failed to give satisfaction, I was beaten. No mention was ever made again of me being able to attend school.

The man who had been there when I was ill returned. This time he came as a paying client, I thought I had remembered his face. He was a family doctor. He was also a paedophile.

He spoke to me differently, as if he was not happy about what he was doing but had to do it anyhow. He asked if she had beaten me again. I refused to answer. It didn’t occur to me he may assume she had by my lack of response. He asked if I had good food to eat, all I could say was, “I’m not supposed to talk to you. Gwen said just to let you cum in my mouth, or fuck me … if you paid extra. No talking.”

He looked sad, and he said, “I’ll try and help you if I can.”

I didn’t know what the hell he was talking about. Help me? What did he mean help me? Help me do what? After he returned to the bar area I heard Gwen’s voice, she was riled up and screeching. I was unable to understand what was being said.

My stomach lurched when the front door slammed–a clear sign she was not happy.

She came into the bathroom where I was cleaning the cum off myself. She grabbed my hair and dragged me out backwards, screaming as she slammed me up against the walls of the narrow corridor. “What did you say? What did you say, cunt? Tell me. Tell me now!”

I made myself go limp, saying nothing. I couldn’t have spoken anyway, my face hurt–it was bleeding badly. I could feel the damn tears … shit! No, I mustn’t cry. If I cried it meant the dark room … I mustn’t cry.

Too late, and the tears wouldn’t have changed a thing. The best I could do was stay limp, I knew to struggle would bring more rage. By going limp, I had learned that the beatings didn’t hurt so badly; plus it made it harder for her to drag me.

The dark room seemed smaller every time I was in there. The lack of air seemed worse; the fear more intense. I took myself to my safe place … sometimes it helped me to breathe.

I was learning that if I slowed my breathing right down so that I was hardly breathing at all–the shaking would stop. I was busy scrambling in my brain, trying to find ways of stopping her. Trying to think of ways to make her happy again, so the beatings would slow down.

My almost six-year-old mind had not yet learned to understand, there was no way.

I had also begun to think that one day, someday, I would find somewhere to hide. Somewhere safe and not full of pain.

The bruising from this beating was still very visible, and painful enough that I couldn’t perform oral sex for over a week. Gwen was furious, constantly screaming at me that I was faking and costing her money. After one of these tirades the thought struck me, if I could handle the beatings, I didn’t have to perform. However, if I didn’t perform, I would be of no use to her at all.

I believed then and still believe that she would have found a way to dispose of me … if I stopped earning her big money.

Thank you Stacey – I stand behind you, I walk with you, I will not be silent!

Confessions of a Trauma Therapist by psychotherapist Mary Armstrong: How to take control of your mind

2010-07-27T00:34:00.000-07:00

Confessions of a Trauma Therapist by psychotherapist Mary Armstrong: How to take control of your mind: "Have you ever paid attention to all the chatter that goes on in your head? Do you believe that valuable thoughts and ideas fill your mental ..."

What do I do if a child tells me about abuse?

2010-07-10T05:32:00.000-07:00

Knowing how damaging abuse is to children, it is up to the adults around them to take responsibility for stopping it.

If a child tells you about abuse:

The following suggestions would be applicable in some cases...if the child mentions sexual, or physical abuse agencies need to be contacted as a priority. The immediate safety of the child is paramount.

•Stay calm and be reassuring

•Find a quiet place to talk

•Believe in what you are being told

•Listen, but do no press for information

•Say that you are glad that the child told you

•If it will help the child to cope. say that the abuser has a problem

•Say that you will do your best to protect and support the child

•If necessary, seek medical help and contact the police or social services

•If your child has told another adult, such as a teacher or school nurse, contact them. Their advice may make it easier to help your child

•Determine if this incident may affect how your child reacts at school. It may be advisable to liaise with you child's teacher, school nurse or headteacher

•Acknowledge that your child may have angry, sad or even guilty feelings about what happened, but stress that the abuse was not the child's fault. Acknowledge that you will probably need help dealing with your own feelings

You may consider using the school as a resource, as the staff should have a network of agencies they work with, and be able to give you advice.

You can contact official agencies or self-help groups. If you are concerned about what action may be taken, ask before you proceed

If you notice bruises, cuts abrasions any form of external violence ensure that the child is secure in the knowledge that they will not need to face the abuser alone, reassurance is vital.

Essays on Child Abuse.

2010-07-08T15:03:00.001-07:00

Child Abuse - physical, sexual, or emotional maltreatment or neglect of children by parents, guardians, or others responsible for a child's welfare. Physical abuse is characterized by physical injury, usually inflicted as a result of a beating or inappropriately harsh discipline. Sexual abuse includes molestation, incest, rape, prostitution, or use of a child for pornographic purposes. Neglect can be physical in nature (abandonment, failure to seek needed health care), educational (failure to see that a child is attending school), or emotional (abuse of a spouse or another child in the child's presence, allowing a child to witness adult substance abuse). Inappropriate punishment, verbal abuse, and scapegoating are also forms of emotional or psychological child abuse. Some authorities consider parental actions abusive if they have negative future consequences, e.g., exposure of a child to violence or harmful substances, extending in some views to the passive inhalation of cigarette smoke (see smoking).

In practice, there are borderline areas where what constitutes child abuse is not clear. For example, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled (1944) that parents do not have an absolute right to deny life-saving medical treatment to their children, but devout members of the Church of Christ, Scientist, and other churches believe in the healing power of prayer and do not always seek medical help. Most U.S. states, however, permit parents to use religious beliefs as a defense against prosecution for the withholding of medical treatment from their sick children, even in cases where the lack of treatment results in a child's death.

Causes and Effects

There are many interacting causes of child abuse and neglect. Characteristics or circumstances of the abuser, the child, and the family may all contribute. In many cases the abuser was abused as a child. Substance abuse (see drug addiction and drug abuse) has been identified as a key factor in a growing number of cases. In some cases abusers do not have the education and skills needed to raise a child, thus increasing the likelihood of abuse, and providing inadequate parental role models for future generations. Children who are ill, disabled, or otherwise perceived as different are more likely to be the targets of abuse. In the family, marital discord, domestic violence, unemployment and poverty, and social isolation are all factors that can precipitate abuse.

Patterns of abusive behavior may result in the physical or mental impairment of the child or even death. Small children are especially vulnerable to physical injury such as whiplash or shaken infant syndrome resulting from battery. Abused children are more likely to experience generalized anxiety, depression, truancy, shame and guilt, or suicidal and homicidal thoughts or to engage in criminal activity, promiscuity, and substance abuse.

Intervention in Child Abuse Cases

In the United States, New York became the first state to institute child protection laws (1875) that made abuse against children a crime, and other states soon followed with similar laws. In 1974 the U.S. Congress passed the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, which encouraged remaining states to pass child protection laws and created the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect. In addition, all states have their own reporting laws, juvenile and family court laws, and criminal laws.

Cases of child abuse are handled by an multidisciplinary team including medical personnel, law enforcement officers, the schools, social workers, and the courts. School personnel may be the first to notice and report signs of abuse. Child-abuse cases are often coordinated by a community's child protective services unit, which sends case workers to the home for evaluation and offers services to the child and family. Medical professionals may report cases, provide treatment for injured children, provide testimony in court, or help to educate parents. Law enforcement personnel may be involved when cases are reported or when there is a question of a criminal action. The courts provide emergency protective orders or decide whether the child should be removed from the home. Child abuse may be punished by incarceration of the perpetrator or by the denial of custody rights to abusive parents or guardians.

Incidence

Despite efforts to reduce child abuse in America, more than a million children are physically abused each year; about 2,000 die. Although the magnitude of sexual abuse of children in the United States is unknown, it is considered to be an escalating problem, and one that can result in serious psychological damage among victims. There are no reliable statistics available for emotional abuse and neglect, but these types of child abuse are as potentially damaging to their victims as are various forms of physical abuse. Child abuse extends across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines, but there are consistently more reports concerning children born into poverty. The reporting of child abuse is complicated by the private nature of the crime, the fearfulness of the child, and strong motivation for denial in the abuser.

Bibliography

See J. Goldstein, A. Freud, A. J. Solnit, and S. Goldstein, In the Best Interests of the Child (1986); J. Garbarino, E. Guttmann, and J. W. Seeley, The Psychologically Battered Child (1987); D. E. H. Russell, The Secret Trauma: Incest in the Lives of Girls and Women (1986); R. E. Helfer and R. S. Kempe, The Battered Child (4th ed. 1987); D. J. Besharov, Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide for the Concerned (1990); publications of the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect.

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright© 2004, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V. All rights reserved.

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News Flashes on EMPTY CHAIRS the Book.

2010-07-08T14:52:00.001-07:00

Read the horrifying STATISTICS.

2010-07-08T14:27:00.001-07:00

Child Abuse

Child abuse and neglect is frightfully high. As a country this is unacceptable. We need to come up with better ways to fight this “disease” before we destroy our children, our future.

An estimated 903,000 children across the country were victims of abuse or neglect in 2001, according to national data released by the Department of Health and Human Services. The statistics indicate that about 12.4 out of every 1,000 children were victims of abuse or neglect, a rate comparable to the previous year's victimization rate of 12.2 out of 1,000 children.

"A nation as compassionate as ours should ensure that no child is a victim of abuse or neglect. The number of children that are being abused and neglected this country is an unacceptable daily tragedy," HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "We must do more to protect our most vulnerable children. That's why President Bush has proposed an important new approach to give states the tools and resources they need to prevent abuse and care for these young victims."

As part of HHS' fiscal year 2004 budget request, the Bush Administration is proposing a new approach to protect children in the child welfare system. Under the plan, states would have the option of using some money now designated solely for foster care to support a range of abuse-preventive services and programs. The proposal provides the flexibility and sustained financial support necessary to build innovative programs for children and families aimed at preventing maltreatment and removal from home.

"Every time a child is abused or neglected, the whole human race suffers," said Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., assistant secretary for children and families. "President Bush's plan to prevent this terrible problem will point the way to happier lives for many children."

The rate of child neglect and abuse in 2001 was about 19 percent less than the rate in 1993, when maltreatment peaked at an estimated 15.3 out of every 1,000 children. As recently as 1998, the rate was 12.9 per 1,000 children. The rate dropped to 11.8 per 1,000 children in 1999 and then returned to 12.2 per 1,000 children in 2000.

This problem has, because of more resources and ability to come forward, gone down in the past few years. For the same reason in the mid – eighties and early nineties it was up. Before then few came forward, then it was encouraged and more did. In 1994, over 3 million (3,140,000) children were reported for child abuse and neglect to child protective service (CPS) agencies in the United States. This figure represents a 4.5% increase over the number of children reported in 1993. Experts attribute much of the recent increase in reporting to greaterpublicawareness of and willingness to report child maltreatment, as well as changes in how states collected or defined a reportable act of maltreatment (Wiese & Daro, 1995). Currently, about 47 out of every 1,000 children are reported as victims of child maltreatment. Overall, child abuse reporting levels have increased 63% between 1985 and 1994.

In 1994, 1,036,000 children were substantiated by CPS as victims of child maltreatment. This represents 16 out of every 1,000 U.S. children. According to the 1994 survey, physical abuse represented 21% of confirmed cases, sexual abuse 11%, neglect 49%, emotional maltreatment 3% and other forms of maltreatment 16%. These percentages have remained fairly stable since 1986 when approximately 27% of the children were reported for physical abuse, 16% for sexual abuse, 55% for neglect, and 8% for emotional maltreatment (AAPC, 1988).

In 1986, approximately 22.6 children per 1,000 experienced abuse or neglect. Only half of these incidents were reported to CPS agencies (Sedlak, 1990). In 1994, an estimated 1,271 child abuse and neglect related fatalities were confirmed by CPS agencies. Since 1985, the rate of child abuse fatalities has increased by 48%. Based on these numbers, more than three children die each day as a result of child abuse or neglect (Wiese & Daro, 1995).

In 1994, those states which kept this statistic reported that almost 88% of these children are less than five years old at the time of their death with 46% under one year of age (Wiese & Daro, 1995). As for cause of death, 42% of deaths resulted from neglect, 54% from physical abuse and 4% from a combination of neglectful and physically abusive parenting. Approximately 45% of these deaths occurred to children known to child protective service agencies as current or prior clients.

Studies of the general population of adults show that anywhere from 6 to 63% of females were sexually abused as children. A 1985 L.A. Times national survey found that 27% of women and 16% of men reported being sexually abused prior to age 18.

Abuse and neglect, sadly, are very common. We must do something more to prevent this atrocity, but what can we do?

How to Cite this Page

MLA Citation:

"Child Abuse." 123HelpMe.com. 08 Jun 2010

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