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External links and web resources
We have a growing database of resources and external links that you may find useful. Select a category from the list below.
Note: Harrow Council are not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
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Advice - Consumer
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Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, providing practical, impartial advice to help sort out problems and disagreements with suppliers of goods or services. Help and advice is offered to every single consumer in Great Britain who is buying or has bought goods or services.
The FSA aims to maintain efficient, orderly and clean financial markets and help retail consumers achieve a fair deal.
This site provides a wealth of information for consumers and businesses, schools, advice and information centres, community organisations, local councils, business support agencies and trade associations.
Advice - Legal
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The Children's Legal Centre is a unique, independent national charity concerned with law and policy affecting children and young people. The Children's Legal Centre has many years of experience in providing legal advice and representation to children, their carers and professionals throughout the UK.
The leading law portal in the UK providing legal documents and services for English law.
Looking after legal aid in England and Wales and responsible for ensuring that people get the information, advice and legal help they need to deal with a wide range of everyday problems.
Advice and Benefits
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Age Concern is the UK's largest organisation working with and for older people. They provide vital local services as well as influencing public opinion and government. Every day they are in touch with thousands of older people enabling them to make more of life.
The Appeals Service was formally launched on 3rd April 2000. The Service arranges and hears appeals on decisions on Social Security, Child Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Vaccine Damage, Tax Credit and Compensation Recovery, Child Tax Credit and Pensions Credit
This site provides comprehensive information about Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. Find out if you qualify and at what rate you are likely to be paid. Contains guidance on application, how the Department of Work and Pensions make decisions about Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance, and more.
The Citizens Advice Bureau Service offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice. From its origins in 1939 as an emergency service during World War II, it has evolved into a professional national agency.
A free directory that lists self help groups, support groups and charities in the UK.
The Inland Revenue is here to ensure that everyone understands and receives what they are entitled to and understands and pays what they owe, so that everyone contributes to the UK's needs.
Shelter is a national organisation with local solutions working to improve the lives of homeless and badly housed people. They provide free, professional and independent advice to over 100,000 people each year throughout England and Scotland.
Arts, Museums & Galleries
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Business
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Business Finder UK serves the UK public by providing Free Business Listing, Free Business Searches, Free Classifieds and Free Business Cards.
Business link is a business support, advice and information service managed by the DTI, with local presence across England.
in order to stimulate the demand for commercial sites and premises within the county, the county council and its partners have established a new investment promotion agency for northamptonshire. this agency will bring the resources of the county together in attracting new investment from within and outside the county. the prime goal of the agency will be on retaining and increasing investment from the county’s existing employers, through the development of an ‘investor development programme’.
A business portal designed to help new businesses to get started by offering advice and services to make the business start-up process easier.
Central Government Websites
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This site's purpose is to promote the UK overseas, communicate Government news and information, explain the role and history of Number 10 as a building, and the office of Prime Minister as an institution.
The Cabinet Office's role is to support the Government's delivery and reform programme.
CJS Online has been developed as part of modernising government agenda, to establish a consolidated criminal justice system (CJS) presence on the Internet and reflect the continued commitment to deliver quality services which reflect both the citizens' needs and those working within the CJS.
The Department For Constitutional Affairs are responsible in government for upholding justice, rights and democracy. They aim to empower citizens to obtain justice, safeguard their rights, and participate in a transparent and accountable democratic process.
The Department For Culture, Media & Sport aims to improve the quality of life for all cultural and sporting activities and through the strengthening of the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) was created in June 2001 * to drive forward the Government's programmes on the environment, food and rural affairs. They work for the essentials of life - food, air, land, water, people, animals and plants. Their remit is the pursuit of sustainable development - weaving together economic, social and environmental concerns.
Providing health and social care policy, guidance and publications
The Department for International Development (DFID) was established in 1997, as the successor to the Overseas Development Administration, previously part of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO).
The Department for Transport's objective is to oversee the delivery of a reliable, safe and secure transport system that responds efficiently to the needs of individuals and business whilst safeguarding our environment.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for the Government's welfare reform agenda. Its aim is to promote opportunity and independence for all. It delivers support and advice through a modern network of services to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people.
The DTI drives the Government's ambition of 'prosperity for all' by working to create the best environment for business success in the UK. They help people and companies become more productive by promoting enterprise, innovation and creativity.
The European Union (EU) is a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity. It is not a State intended to replace existing states, but it is more than any other international organisation. Its Member States have set up common institutions to which they delegate some of their sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides a range of essential services to the public - from advising British travellers to issuing UK visas and promoting trade and investment opportunities overseas.
The Government Office brings together the regional activities of our sponsor departments, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Department for Transport, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Education and Skills, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Home Office.
HMSO delivers a wide range of services to the public, information industry and government relating to access and re-use of government information.
HM Customs and Excise is a Government department with responsibility for collecting billions of pounds in revenue each year in VAT, other taxes and customs duties. We also have a vital front-line role in protecting our society from illegal imports of drugs, alcohol and tobacco smuggling and tax fraud.
HM Treasury aims to raise the rate of sustainable growth and achieve rising prosperity and a better quality of life, with economic and employment opportunities for all.
The Home Office is the Government department responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales.
This site provides the first one-stop portal for local authorities to get quick and easy access to information they need on the web sites of central government departments, agencies and public bodies.
The purpose of the Ministry of Defence, and the Armed Forces, is to defend the United Kingdom, and Overseas Territories, our people and interests; act as a force for good by strengthening international peace and security.
The Office Of The Deputy Prime Minister was created as a central department in its own right in May 2002. It is responsible for policy on housing, planning, devolution, regional and local government and the fire service. It also takes responsibility for the Social Exclusion Unit, the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit and the Government Offices for the Regions.
This website highlights the many steps taken to give more accountable Government, enable Parliament to hold the executive to account and to provide the lively debate that every good democracy needs.
The Privy Council is one of the oldest parts of Government, but it has, over time, adapted to reflect the fact that the United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. Appointment to the Privy Council is for life, but only Ministers of the democratically elected Government of the day participate in its policy work.
The Regulatory Impact Unit (RIU) is based at the centre of Government in the Cabinet Office. Its role is to work with other government departments, agencies and regulators to help ensure that regulations are fair and effective. Regulations protect people at work, consumers and the environment, but it is important to strike the right balance so that they do not impose unnecessary burdens on businesses or stifle growth.
The Official Documents website contains a selection of Government titles covering a very broad range of topics including the economy, work and welfare, health, transport and the environment.
The official website of the British Monarchy.
The Office of the e-Envoy is part of the Prime Minister's Delivery and Reform team based in the Cabinet Office. The primary focus of the Office of the e-Envoy is to improve the delivery of public services and achieve long term cost savings by joining-up online government services around the needs of customers. The e-Envoy is responsible for ensuring that all government services are available electronically by 2005 with key services achieving high levels of use.
The website that takes you to the heart of government.
The United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) site aims to assist new applicants and existing passport holders by providing information and online facilities for all aspects of application, renewal and amendments of passports for British nationals resident in the UK.
This is the website of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office. It provides links to government and non-government sources on a wide variety of emergencies and crises that can affect the UK, plus emergency planning guidance and government information.
UK Trade & Investment's trade services offer support to companies based in the UK to achieve their export potential.
UK online's section for young people aged 11 to 18.
Charity Commission
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The Charity Commission is established by law as the regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales. Our aim is to provide the best possible regulation of charities in England and Wales in order to increase charities' effectiveness and public confidence and trust.
Community, People and Living
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Awards for All is a Lottery grants scheme aimed at local communities, awarding grants of between £500 and £5,000 in a simple and straightforward way. Awards for All can fund projects that enable people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, as well as projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community.
The Crime Reduction Website provides information and resources for people working to reduce crime in their local area.
Crimestoppers operates across the UK to help identify, prevent, solve and reduce crime. This invaluable community service enables anyone with details of criminal activity to pass them on anonymously, without fear of exposure or retribution.
Stop a fire happening in your home. These webpages explain what to do, what to check and what to avoid doing.
Council and Democracy
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Audit Commission is an independent public body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently, and effectively in the areas of local government, housing, health, criminal justice and fire and rescue services.
You can use this website to make a complaint to the Ombudsman or to find out more about the Ombudsmen's work.
An independent body that was set up by the UK Parliament in November 2000. It's aim is to increase public confidence in the democratic process within the United Kingdom - and encourage people to take part - by modernising the electoral process, promoting public awareness of electoral matters, and regulating political parties.
Development and Planning Services
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Local Authority Building Control (LABC) is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in building design and construction. LABC is a publicly accountable, independent building control provider. Our aim is to assist you in producing high quality buildings that meet the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations in a time scale which keeps your costs to a minimum.
Building Regulations Division deals with Building Regulations, which ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings by providing functional requirements for building design and construction. The regulations also promote energy efficiency in buildings and contribute to meeting the needs of disabled people.
This website provides information on all aspects of planning and building control, including building regulations, listings of Council Planning Offices and local relevant services and suppliers.
The Land Registry guarantee the title to registered land in England and Wales and hold records for land ownership and interests.
The Planning Inspectorate's main work is the processing of planning and enforcement appeals and holding inquiries into local development plans. They also deal with a wide variety of other planning related casework including listed building consent appeals, advertisement appeals, and reporting on planning applications.
The Planning Portal offers a wide range of services and guidance on the planning system.
Disabled Services
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The British Council of Disabled People (BCODP) was set up by disabled people in 1981 to promote our full equality and participation within society. We are an umbrella organisation that represents some 130 organisations run and controlled by disabled people. BCODP is the only national umbrella organisation to be democratically set up by disabled people themselves to represent their interests at the national level.
The Disability Access Charter monitors and advises on services and facilities for disabled people in all kinds of venues from major factories and exhibition centres to health trusts and housing associations.
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is an independent body established in April 2000 by Act of Parliament to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.
Education
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Bullying Online was founded in April 1999 by Liz Carnell and her son John, as a direct result of their experience of dealing with school bullying. They decided to share their knowledge with other parents and pupils and identified the Internet as the most cost effective medium. Bullying Online became a UK-registered charity in May 2000 and has four trustees.
Curriculum Online is central to the Government's drive to transform teaching and learning in schools by improving access to ICT and multimedia resources for all pupils. This website exists to bring teaching professionals and multimedia resources together. It offers an easy, pinpoint searching through multimedia resources, aligned with the curriculum of subjects taught in schools in England.
Three new departments were set up by the Prime Minister on 28 June 2007. They replace the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) is responsible for improving the focus on all aspects of policy affecting children and young people, as part of the Government’s aim to deliver educational excellence.
Developed by the Department of Education and Skills (DfES), and partner organisations, way to learn is a web portal for adult learners. The portal pulls together, in one convenient place, links to all the information that adult learners may need. This will help you make better-informed decisions about learning.
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is responsible for funding and planning education and training for over 16-year-olds in England.
The gateway to educational resources on the internet. The NGfL provides a network of selected links to websites that offer high quality content and information. Whether you are learning, supporting, teaching or managing, there are resources on the NGfL for you.
Ofsted is a non-ministerial government department established under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 to take responsibility for the inspection of all schools in England. Its role also includes the inspection of local education authorities, teacher training institutions and youth work. During 2001, Ofsted became responsible for inspecting all 16-19 education and for the regulation of early years childcare, including childminders.
Resources for advisers, students and everyone involved in education, training and communities. Help with choosing, financing and supporting your education, training, lifelong learning, career planning and jobsearch.
Working to improve basic skills, identified as the ability to read, write, speak and to use mathematics at a level necessary to function and progress at work and in society in general. Provides standards for schools; family literacy and numeracy programmes; work with voluntary and community organisations; open learning; financial literacy, and workplace basic skills programmes.
The Education Network is an independent policy, research and information organisation set up to develop, promote and disseminate the role and good practice of local authorities in raising achievement. It offers support and services to LEAs that join.
UCAS is the central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges.
Emergencies
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This website includes the common sense advice found in the Preparing for Emergencies booklet, and information on what the government is doing to protect the country as a whole.
Environment
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Find out how recycling stamps, foreign currency, toner cartridges and mobile phones can support disadvantaged older people.
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), is the professional body which represents over 6,000 waste management professionals - predominantly in the UK but also overseas. The CIWM sets the professional standards for individuals working in the waste management industry and has various grades of membership determined by education, qualification and experience.
The leading public body responsible for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales.
Health
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Britain's Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain.
The Health Protection Agency is a new national organisation for England and Wales. It is dedicated to protecting people's health and reducing the impact of infectious diseases, chemical hazards, poisons and radiation hazards. It brings together the expertise of health and scientific professionals.
NHS Direct operates a 24-hour nurse advice and health information service, providing confidential information on what to do if you or your family are feeling ill; particular health conditions; local healthcare services, such as doctors, dentists or late night opening pharmacies, self help and support organisations.
This site connects you to your local NHS services and provides national information about the NHS. Find out what the NHS is, how the NHS works, and how you can use it.
Health and Social Care
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Al-Anon Family Groups provide understanding, strength and hope to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else's drinking.
The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Our aim is to make sure better care is provided for everyone, whether that’s in hospital, in care homes, in people’s own homes, or elsewhere.
As part of the National Childcare Strategy, ChildcareLink aims to help people back into the workplace by removing the childcare barrier. The ChildcareLink service is funded by the Department for Education and Skills and the Scottish Executive.
Family Rights Group (FRG) was established as a registered charity in 1974 to provide advice and support for families whose children are involved with social services. FRG works to improve the services received by these families.
The UK's leading site for disabled and elderly people, carers and healthcare professionals, with information, news, views and products.
Mencap is the UK's leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers. Mencap offers information and advice on a range of learning disability issues, provide support, including housing, education, employment and leisure activities and campaign to bring about positive changes in the people's lives.
Samaritans is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
Housing
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The Abbeyfield Society is a UK-wide volunteer-led charity providing housing with care for older people.
Anchor Trust is a not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to helping older people to live safely, securely and independently with a choice of services to suit all needs.
Join the FREE online Forum of Council Exchanges, add your Home to the Council Exchange Community, view Exchanges and reply to ones of interest.
CTAB is a provider of information and mortgages for council tenants - recommended by local authorities and housing associations. A one-stop-centre for advice and help with right to buy and rent to mortgage.
English Churches Housing Group is one of the country's largest housing associations, providing homes for over 26,000 people through a range of affordable general needs, sheltered and supported housing services. Working in 168 different local authorities, it has established a positive reputation for working in partnership with other agencies.
Housing 21 has more than 35 years experience providing services for older people. They currently provide sheltered housing to nearly 16,000 older people and make around 2 million home care visits a year.
A UK Housing Association & Local Authority Information Directory. Home of the AddressBook, a standalone database of HA & LA contact information for list building.
Orbit Housing Association is the largest Association in the Orbit Housing Group and manages homes across the country.
Shelter is a national organisation with local solutions working to improve the lives of homeless and badly housed people. They provide free, professional and independent advice to over 100,000 people each year throughout England and Scotland.
Jobs and Careers
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Bringing the job market directly to your desktop, Charityjobs is the UK's premier Charity job site for those looking for Charity work across the UK and Europe.
13-19? Living in England? If you want information and advice designed just for you, or just someone to talk to, then Connexions has it all - and if you're 16 why not sign up for an exclusive Connexions Card?
This site provides help and advice on job hunting and extra support, help and advice on making a claim for benefit, Information for organisations working with and alongside Jobcentre Plus.
Jobseekers-uk.com is a service provided by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation to assist you in locating a recruitment agency best suited to finding you work - on a permanent or temporary basis.
The original, award-winning UK job search and jobs by email service. Want to find your next job as quickly and easily as possible? Start searching for jobs now with Jobsite and send your CV straight to the top recruitment agencies and employers in your sector.
UK charity that helps young people overcome barriers and get their lives working.
Worktrain is part of the Department for Work and Pensions. The Worktrain website provides job, training, learning and career profile searches and related information.
Leisure and Culture
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English Heritage make sure that the historic environment of England is properly maintained and cared for. By employing some of the country's very best architects, archaeologists and historians, English Heritage aim to help people understand and appreciate why the historic buildings and landscapes around them matter.
The Countryside Agency is the statutory champion and watchdog working to make the quality of life better for people in the countryside and the quality of the countryside better for everyone.
Older people's services
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Sport
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This website allows you to search for sports facilities anywhere in England by a number of different ways. You can browse an interactive map of the country, search for facilities in your local area, use the name and address of a specific facility to find out more information.
Transport and Streets
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The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport (DfT), and is responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network in England on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport. They have a major role in delivering the Government's Ten Year Plan for Transport. They also fulfil an international role by building good working relationships and sharing experience and expertise with other overseas road administrations. This helps promote the value of UK knowledge, expertise and best practice across the world to support UK industry.
The UK's largest scheduled coach company.
A service which provides impartial journey planning information about all public transport services - buses, coaches, trains, ferries, trams, metro and underground - throughout England, Wales and Scotland. At present it offers information based on details in published timetables.
Utilities
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BT is a UK wide communications solutions provider with a global reach in the business market.
Transco delivers around half the nation's energy needs through its 275,000km of pipework and runs Britain's national gas emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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