Get the help that you are entitled to.
Many people are afraid of asking for help. You might be worried that services might try to interfere. Many parents don’t get all of the help and benefits that they are entitled to. Getting help can feel like a risk, but it might be the only way to make life easier for you and your family. You might feel more confident getting help from a service or organisation by first asking them:
- Who do they help and what can they do?
- Is their service private and confidential?
- Will they ever talk to other organisations about me and my family?
- Does it cost anything?
- What if I change my mind after talking to them?
- How do I complain if I’m not happy?
If you want advice that is guaranteed to be private, use an anonymous telephone helpline or search for advice on the internet. Remember, most services and organisations that help people will only consider breaking confidentiality if they think it is the only way to keep someone safe. The Data Protection Act says that they must keep your personal information private unless you give them permission to share it or there is a very good reason for sharing it, such as keeping someone safe from harm.
If you have a disability, illness or substance misuse problem, you may be able to get an assessment of your needs from a social worker. An assessment is not a test of whether you are a good parent or not, it is a way of finding out what you and your family need to stay well. During an assessment, a social worker or sometimes a health worker will talk to you in private about your health problem and what help you need.
This information provided by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
