Family and relationships
Our relationships with partners, friends and family can be very rewarding but also complicated and occasionally difficult. This section helps you with a variety of problems including separation, bereavement and children.
1. BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND CHANGING YOUR NAME
This section provides a guide to when and how you register a birth and information about changing your name.
Birth Certificates
For information about birth certificates including: information on registering births, types of birth certificates, and obtaining copies of birth certificates, click here
Source: gov.uk
Change of name
For information about how to change the name of both children and adults and when evidence of a name change may be needed, click here
Source: gov.uk
2. MARRIAGE, CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS AND LIVING TOGETHER
This section provides information about the legal differences between relationships and information on forced marriages.
For guidance on money in a relationship, check out our MANAGING YOUR MONEY section
Living Together and Marriage: What's the Difference?
Read information that explains the legal differences between being married and living together. In England and Wales, this covers same-sex partners who can now get married. It does not cover civil partnerships.
Find out more information here
Source: Citizens Advice
Living Together and Civil Partnerships: What’s the Difference?
Read information about the legal differences between civil partnerships and living together. The information applies only to same-sex couples.
Find out more information here
Source: Citizens Advice
Marriages and Civil Partnerships in the UK
Read a guide to getting married or forming a civil partnership. Covers civil and religious marriage ceremonies in England and Wales, where they may take place, legal rules, and what documents you need.
Find out more information here
Source: gov.uk
Forced Marriage
Forced marriage is when you face physical pressure to marry (e.g. threats, physical violence or sexual violence) or emotional and psychological pressure (e.g. if you’re made to feel like you’re bringing shame on your family).
Find out information on what to do here
Source: gov.uk
3. CHILDREN
This section provides information on child maintenance, child care and contact with children. Links are provided for help if a child is in local authority care.
For information on financing child care you may wish to visit our MANAGING YOUR MONEY and BENEFITS sections
Adoption
Adoption Services in Stockton are now run through Adoption Tees Valley, a regional agency and Local Authority service delivered through collaboration between Stockton, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Darlington and Redcar & Cleveland councils.
Read more information here
Source: Adoption Tees Valley
Child Maintenance
There may be different options available to arrange financial support for the children following the breakdown of a relationship. Parents can make a family-based arrangement or they can ask for maintenance to be arranged through a statutory scheme.
Find out your options here
Source: Citizens Advice
Childcare Options
Local information on where to go for childcare in Stockton-on-Tees can be found here
Source: Stockton Information Directory
Child Maintenance Service
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is the government’s statutory child maintenance service. The CMS can calculate and collect child maintenance for you, and can act as a trusted third party if you don’t want any contact with the other parent of your child.
Find out more information here
Source: gov.uk
Advice for Fathers Not Living with Their Child
DAD.info was established in 2008 and provides impartial advice and information for fathers without main care. To find out how to manage your CMS case - including how to avoid debt and legal action - click here
Source: DAD.info
Children in Local Authority Care
Information on matters regarding Local Authority care for children in Stockton is available here
Source: Stockton Borough Council
Fostering in Stockton-on-Tees
Fostering is about caring for children and young people in your own home. There are around 230 children and young people being looked after in Stockton by foster carers. Many of these children will eventually return to their family; in some cases this may take a matter of days or weeks, in others it may take much longer and the children could be living with their foster carer for a year or more.
Read more information here
Source: Stockton Borough Council
Support for Children
Children need to be safe and feel confident that the adult world understands their needs and recognises their vulnerabilities. For children and young people who need some support, a multi-agency approach is usually best based on a Early Help Assessment.
For more information click here
Source: Stockton Borough Council
Parenting Advice and Support
For a list of organisations that can support and advise you as a parent, click here
Source: Stockton Information Directory
4. YOUNG PEOPLE
Advice for Those Under 25
For information on the rights of children and young people on family matters including adoption, getting married and the rights of parents under 16 click here
Source: Citizens Advice
5. GRANDPARENTS
Advice for Grandparents
Information on contact with grandchildren and support for those who are caring for grandchildren can be found here
Source: Kinship
6. ABUSE
This section includes links for help with domestic violence, abuse against older people, child abuse and other forms of abuse.
Please click on the links below to be taken to your desired section.
CHILD ABUSE
Support for Children
Childline is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19.
Find out more information here
Source: Childline
Information on Child Abuse
You may be a child who’s being abused, or you may be someone who’s concerned that a child is being abused. The link explains what child abuse is and tell you where to go for support. It also explains what steps the police and social workers can take to protect a child.
Find out more information here
Source: Citizens Advice
Who to Inform in Stockton-on-Tees
The work to protect children from abuse and neglect is overseen by Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSSCP) . This link takes you to Stockton Borough Council’s website and gives you details on who you can speak to.
Find out more information here
Source: Stockton Borough Council
DOMESTIC ABUSE
What is Domestic Abuse?
Read information about the many different forms of domestic abuse and violence including: the official definition of domestic abuse, the signs of domestic abuse, and how common it is.
Find out more information here
Source: Women's Aid
Recognising Domestic Abuse
Read a list of questions to help you tell if you are experiencing domestic abuse here
Source: Women's Aid
How Can I Help a Friend or Family Member Who is Experiencing Domestic Abuse?
There are some basic steps that you can take to assist and give support to a friend, family member, colleague, neighbour or anyone you know who confides in you that they are experiencing domestic abuse.
Find out more information here
Source: Women's Aid
Children and Young People Understanding Domestic Abuse
Women's Aid have created this space to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action if it's happening to you.
Find out more information here
Source: Women's Aid
Men Experiencing Domestic Abuse
Domestic Violence and Domestic Abuse – is not just about physical abuse – it also includes emotional and psychological, coercive control and isolating people.
Most men do not believe or feel they are a victim until sometime after they have lost control of their life and have become isolated. One survivor said they felt they were being ‘groomed’. Remember though you are not to blame, you are not weak and your are not alone. There is help available and you (and your children) can escape.
Information for men experiencing domestic abuse can be found here and here
Sources: ManKind, Respect
Your Options if You are in an Abusive Relationship
Read advice and information about practical matter such as your housing options and details of organisations that can help here
Source: Citizens Advice
Domestic Abuse in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Communities
Information for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans communities on domestic abuse can be found here.
Source: Galop
Honour-Based Abuse
Honour-based abuse is defined as an incident or crime which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or community.
Further information and advice on what to do if you have experienced this can be found here
Source: Halo
RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE
Help if You Have Been Raped
Information about how to get help if you've experienced sexual violence can be found here
Source: Rape Crisis
Help if You Have Been Raped or Experienced Sexual Violence
SARC Teesside provides men, women and children who have experienced rape or sexual assault either recently or in the past help, support and options across the Teesside area.
Click here to find out more
Source: SARC
Female Genital Mutilation
FGM is an unnecessary and illegal practice that causes significant physical, mental and emotional harm.
Find out what FGM is and where to find help if you or someone you know is at risk of having FGM here
Source: NHS
ELDER ABUSE
Protecting Yourself and Others from Abuse
Information on elder abuse, how to recognise it, and what to if you feel you have been abused can be found here
Source: Age UK
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Please look under HELPFUL TOOLS for leaflets on Human Trafficking.
Human Trafficking is the acquisition of people by force, fraud or deception with the aim of exploiting them.
For information on safe houses and support click here
Source: Salvation Army
7. DIVORCE AND SEPARATION
This section provides guidance to links that can help you through a divorce or separation including a divorce and separation calculator.
For guidance on money when you separate or divorce check out our MANAGING YOUR MONEY section.
Please click on the links below to be taken to your desired section.
MEDIATION
This link is for you if you have recently split up or are struggling to agree with your ex-partner (or another family member) about what’s going to happen to your home, money, children or any other issues. This link provides a guide which explains what family mediation is and how it could help you.
Find the link here
Source: Advice Now
ENDING A MARRIAGE
Information on the practical matters to sort out including custody of children, possessions, property and the divorce process can be found here
Source: Citizens Advice
ENDING A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP
A civil partnership is a legally-registered relationship between two people of the same sex. Usually a court order is needed to dissolve the relationship.
Find out information and advice on what to do here
Source: Citizens Advice
ENDING A RELATIONSHIP WHEN YOU ARE LIVING TOGETHER
This link provides information that applies if you want to split up with someone you're living with. It applies whether you're heterosexual, gay or lesbian. It's not for people who are married or in a civil partnership.
Find the link here
Source: Advice Now
HOUSING AND SEPARATION
This link helps you to work out your housing rights if your relationship breaks down. It includes information for couples who own their home and those who rent. It also covers some common questions about the family home when a relationship breaks down.
Find the link here
Source: Citizens Advice
DIVORCE AND SEPARATION CALCULATOR
This tool will help you work out a budget, work out what you have and what you owe and create scenarios for dividing what you have.
Find the tool here
Source: Money Helper
CHILDREN AND FAMILY COURT ADVISORY AND SUPPORT SERVICE (CAFCASS)
Cafcass helps children and young people who are going through care or adoption proceedings, or whose parents have separated and are unable to agree about future arrangements for their children. Cafcass is the voice of children in the family courts and helps to ensure that children’s welfare is put first during proceedings.
For more information on the service, and some useful guides for parents, children and teenagers, click here
Source: Cafcass
DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS
Applying For Divorce
The link below leads you to a guide which describes, from start to finish, the process for applying for a divorce without a solicitor. The guide deals only with the divorce - not with the two related areas of financial settlements and child contact and residence.
Find out more information here
Source: Wikivorce
Financial Settlements and Divorce
At the time of divorce or separation it is very important that you both agree and sign a legally binding financial agreement. The link below gives you more information on the law, a step by step guide through the process and information on agreements.
Find out more information here
Source: Wikivorce
Applying for a Court Order About the Arrangements for Your Children Without the Help of a Lawyer
This guide is for you if you are a parent and you disagree with your child’s other parent or other family members about things such as where your child lives, who they live with and when or how often they see the parent they don’t live with.
View the guide here
Source: Advice Now
Divorce Court Forms
Links and guides to the forms needed for divorce proceedings can be found here
Source: Wikivorce
8. LOOKING AFTER SOMEONE
This section provides links to guidance on powers of attorney.
There is further guidance on looking after someone else’s finances under MANAGING YOUR MONEY. There is also further information on support for carers under our HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE section
Caring for Someone
Read information about advice and a support services for those who are carers here
Source: Carers UK
Managing Someone’s Affairs
This document has information for people who want to manage someone else's affairs. It also has information if you want someone else to manage your affairs for you.
Find out more information here
Source: Citizens Advice
Lasting Power of Attorney
The Office of the Public Guardian is responsible for, registering lasting power of attorneys, appointing and supervising deputies, making sure an attorney or deputy is carrying out their duties properly and deals with complaints and objections about attorneys and deputies.
Find out more information here
Source: gov.uk
9. DEATH AND BEREAVEMENT
This section provides links that explain how to make arrangements after a death, how to distribute an estate, and what to do if someone has not written a will.
There is information about paying for a funeral in our MANAGING YOUR MONEY section. Information about assistance through the benefit system is available under the BENEFITS (Social Fund) section of this site. Information on dealing with someone’s debts after they have died is in our DEBT section. If you feel you need support with a bereavement, you will find links to useful groups under our HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE section (under Healthcare).
What to Do When Someone Dies
Find out what you need to do after someone has died, including who to inform and how to arrange the funeral here
Source: Citizens Advice
Wills
Information about making a will, free will-writing services and how to change, challenge or destroy a will.
Find out more information here
Source: Citizens Advice
Intestacy: What to Do if There is No Will
When a person dies without leaving a valid will, their property (the estate) must be shared out according to certain rules.
Find out further information on those rules here
Source: Citizens Advice
How to Sort Out the Financial Affairs of Someone Who has Died
Information on sorting out debts, money and property after someone has died can be found here
Source: Citizens Advice
10. HELPFUL TOOLS
We have provided a variety of tools below to help you with your problem but if you still need help, you can click on FIND LOCAL AGENCIES WHO CAN HELP YOU for information about local agencies who may be able to assist you further.
Please click on the links below to be taken to your desired section.
CALCULATORS
Child Maintenance Calculator
If you’re trying to agree on an amount for your family-based arrangement, this calculator can give you an indication of the amount that you could expect to pay or receive.
Find the calculator here
Source: gov.uk
LEAFLETS AND FACT SHEETS
Child Maintenance
For a printable guide to Child Maintenance, click here
Source: gov.uk
Three steps to avoiding domestic violence
Links to PDFs in English and translations into 12 other languages. The leaflet explains how to get help to escape violence and abuse, and keep safe. It focuses on issues faced by black and minority ethnic women and children, but it contains information which can be used to help victims of domestic and sexual violence from any nationality or ethnic background.
Find the leaflet here
Source: gov.uk
Office of the Public Guardian
Forms and Guidance from the Office of the Public Guardian can be found here
Source: gov.uk
Guidance for People Wanting to Manage a Bank Account for Someone Else
This guidance explains how a person can manage another person’s affairs, including their bank- or building society account There is also a link to some of the forms you may have to complete.
Find out more information here
Source: Citizens Advice
Easy Read Information on Abuse
The link below provides a choice of leaflets which have been written specially for people with learning disabilities.
Find the leaflets here
Source: Easy Health
Court Action
This series of leaflets takes you step-by-step through the issues and options.
View the leaflets here
Source: Advice Now
A Survival Guide to Divorce and Dissolution
This guide will explain how divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships work, what you can expect, what you need to think about, what the law says, how to come to agreements, and what help is out there to help you plan for the future.
View the guide here
Source; Advice Now
Sorting Out Arrangements for Your Children - a Survival Guide
This guide is for parents who do not live together and need to make arrangements for their children.
View the guide here
Source: Advice Now
Human Trafficking
A leaflet outlining the support available for victims of human trafficking is available in 11 foreign languages.
View the guide here
Source: gov.uk
FAQS
Find frequently asked questions about family and relationship matters here
Source: Citizens Advice
Find frequently asked questions about divorce proceedings here
Source: Wikivorce
NATIONAL HELPLINES
Action on Elder Abuse
Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) works to protect, and prevent the abuse of, vulnerable older adults. The helpline provides information, advice and support to victims and others who are concerned about or have witnessed abuse
Telephone: 0808 808 8141
Broken Rainbow
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* (LGBT) Domestic Violence Helpline provides confidential support to all members of the LGBT communities, their family, friends, and agencies supporting them. The helpline is run by trained LGBT people and provides a space where you can talk through what is going on, and explore your options.
Telephone: 0300 999 5428
Carers UK
An advice line giving information and support for carers
Telephone: 0808 808 7777
Citizens Advice
Advice by phone is available from Citizens Advice
Telephone: 0808 278 7986
Cruse Bereavement Care
A support line if you need help after someone has died
Telephone: 0844 477 9400
Bliss - for babies born premature or sick
The Bliss helpline is a UK wide confidential telephone service that offers a listening ear, emotional support and information to families whose baby is in or has been in neonatal care.
Telephone : 0808 801 0322
Karma Nirvana
Supporting victims of honour crimes and forced marriages
Telephone: 0800 599 9247
Men’s Adviceline
Advice and support for men experiencing domestic violence
Telephone: 0808 801 0327
ManKind Helpline
Telephone: 01823 334 244
National Domestic Violence Helpline
The National Domestic Violence Helpline is a freephone 24 hour helpline which provides advice and support to women and can refer them to emergency accommodation.
Telephone: 0808 200 0247 (24 hours)
National Stalking Helpline:
The National Stalking Helpline provides guidance and information to anybody who is currently or has previously been affected by harassment or stalking.
Telephone: 0808 802 0300
Rape Crisis
If you don't feel like talking to a friend or family member yet, call the Rape Crisis National Helpline
Telephone: 0808 802 9999
Respect Helpline
Confidential helpline offering advice, information and support to help you stop being violent and abusive to your partner
Telephone: 0808 802 4040
Wikivorce Divorce Advice Helpline
Free advice on divorce and separation
Telephone: 01202 805 020
WEBSITES USED IN THIS SECTION
Action on Elder Abuse
Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) works to protect, and prevent the abuse of, vulnerable older adults
www.elderabuse.org.uk
AdviceNow
Advicenow is an independent, not-for-profit website, run by the charity Law for Life: the Foundation for Public Legal Education.
www.advicenow.org.uk
Broken Rainbow
Broken Rainbow is the first and only UK organisation dedicated to confronting and eliminating domestic violence and abuse within and against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans communities.
www.brokenrainbow.org.uk
Cafcass
Cafcass helps children and young people who are going through care or adoption proceedings, or whose parents have separated and are unable to agree about future arrangements for their children. Cafcass is the voice of children in the family courts and helps to ensure that children’s welfare is put first during proceedings.
http://www.cafcass.gov.uk/
ChildLine
ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen.
http://www.childline.org.uk/pages/home.aspx
Citizens Advice
The Adviceguide website is the main public information service of Citizens Advice, providing people with round-the-clock access to CAB information on their rights - including benefits, housing and employment, and on debt, consumer and legal issues.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england.htm
DAD.info
DAD.info is a website offering support and information to fathers who do not live with their children
www.dad.info
Gov.uk
The websites of all government departments and many other agencies and public bodies
www.gov.uk
Grandparents Association
The Grandparent's Association has been working with and for grandparents to achieve positive outcomes for their grandchildren for decades.
www.grandparents-association.org.uk
Karma Nirvana
Karma Nirvana is a UK registered Charity that supports victims and survivors of Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse.
www.karmanirvana.org.uk
NHS Choices
Everything you need to know about NHS Choices, its services and how to get the most out of it.
http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
Rape Crisis
Rape Crisis England & Wales is a national charity and the umbrella body for our network of independent member Rape Crisis organisations
www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Respect
Respect is the UK membership organisation for work with domestic violence perpetrators, male victims and young people
http://respect.uk.net/
Stockton Borough Council
The Local Authority site for Stockton on Tees
www.stockton.gov.uk
Stockton Information Directory
Local information directory from Stockton Borough Council
http://stocktoninformationdirectory.org/kb5/stockton/directory/results.page?familychannel=3055621&sortfield=title&sorttype=field
Womens Aid
Women's Aid is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.
www.womensaid.org.uk