There are countless things to consider when having children and starting a family. This section contains information on some of the issues that arise when having children and some of the things you will need to be aware of. Below you will find a summary of the topics covered in this section. If you would like more information on any of the topics, click on the links in the left-hand side of the page to access the appropriate document.

Adoption is a way of providing a new family for a child when living with their own family is not possible. It is the means of giving a child an opportunity to start again; for many children, adoption may be their only chance of experiencing family life.

Adoption can be very rewarding for all that are involved although the process itself can be very complicated. Use this section of our law guide to find out more about the adoption process to keep yourself informed of some of the possible issues that can arise.

The law gives special protection to pregnant women at work. They have rights to paid time off for ante-natal care, statutory maternity leave, and may get maternity pay or a maternity allowance. They are also protected against unfair treatment. Use this section to keep yourself informed of the rights you have in your job if you are pregnant, what your employer's responsibilities are toward you, and what to do if you feel you have been disciminated against or unfairly dismissed because of your pregnancy.

After having a baby, there are a lot of things for parents to do. For starters, the birth must be registered. After the arrival of a new baby, it is a legal requirement to register the birth within 42 days – this can often be done at hospital before the mother goes home, otherwise it needs a personal visit to a register office.

Additionally, there are issues surrounding your employment to consider after giving birth, such as leave and pay. Use this section to make sure you know what your rights are when you have a baby with respect to your job, some of the legal issues in registering a baby, and what help may be available to you.

There are many reasons why you and your family may have to attend a family court, ranging from making an adoption application to settling disputes over care during a divorce. This section contains information on reasons for going to family court, The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS), and what will happen if criminal proceedings are brought againt your child.

Unlike mothers, fathers do not always have 'parental responsibility' for their children. With more than one in three children now born outside marriage, some parents may be unclear about who has legal parental responsibility for their children. Use this section to find out who has legal parental responsibility for their children, what exactly this means, and what your rights are if your children are in care.

As a parent, it is only natural to worry about your children. You might worry about how your child handles the breakdown of your marriage, getting mixed up with drugs or alcohol, or becoming a victim of crime. This section contains information on some of the common concerns parents have. Learn how to tell if your child is having a problem, what you can do to protect them, and what the law does to help protect your children.

In addition to some of the parental concerns listed above, there are things that concern parents which pertain solely to their education and their time in school. Forms of bullying at school is one major concern that parents have, as well as issues over truancy, and health and safety while in school. Use this section to learn how to deal with these different issues and also how to complain to your child's school if you have a problem.