The Parents Helpline is a freephone, confidential service provided by the Parents Advice Centre where parents can seek help and advice from trained staff. The existing service has been enhanced with new technology and extended opening hours allowing greater accessibility to those parents seeking information or help.
In launching the helpline from the centre’s new headquarters in Belfast, Mr McGimpsey said: “As parents, from time to time, we all need advice and help with raising our children. The knowledge that a service is available to all through the Parents Helpline will greatly assist people through some of their day-to-day concerns about their children.
“My department fully recognises how vital it is that we support parents in their responsibilities as primary care givers and as role models for their children, and this year has provided some £157,000 to the Parents Advice Centre enabling it to develop and put this enhanced service into operation."
The Parents Helpline is a key initiative within the health department’s family support strategy, Families Matter, which focuses on early intervention and preventative family support services.
The helpline is open from Monday to Friday each week and the telephone number is 0808 8010 722.
Notes to Editors:
- The Parents Advice Centre is the leading parent organization in Northern Ireland. Its offices are based in Belfast and Londonderry. It works to support parents through the provision of a telephone helpline, parenting forum, parenting education projects and a men’s project.
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