Beyond our remit

Need an Answer is for all young people (16-25 year olds) across the UK. Unfortunately, we can't answer questions from people who are under 16 or over 25.

Under 16

If you are based in England and aged 13-19 years old, one option is to contact Connexions Direct. Connexions Direct advisors can offer information, advice and support between 8am and 2am everyday on 080 800 13 2 19. In addition to the helpline, you can also contact Connexions Direct by email, text or online. You can also access face-to-face advice through you local Connexions service.

If you are under 16 and looking for work, Connexions Direct have a factsheet that explores some of the options that you may find useful. There is more information on your rights to work on the TUC's workSMART website.

If you are aged 14-19 years old, Directgov have more information about where you can find your local prospectus that can give you more information about learning options and courses in your area.

If you are aged 14-19 years old and are interested in volunteering, Directgov has more information about where you could get involved.

If you are based in Wales, Careers Wales have more information about work options when you are under 16.

If you are based in Scotland, Young Scot have more information about what work you can do if you are under 16 and more information about volunteering. You can also call Young Scot free on 0808 801 0338 (Mon to Fri 10am - 6pm) or Careers Scotland on 0845 8 502 502.

If you are based in Northern Ireland, the Careers Service Northern Ireland has more information on their website and where you can find your local careers office.

In addition, Get Connected is a free, UK wide helpline that finds young people the best help, whatever the problem, you can call them on 0808 808 4994.

Childline also have discussion boards about school and college or alternatively you could ring Childline on 0800 1111 about any worries or concerns that are troubling you.

Over 25

If you're looking for advice and information about careers or learning you can access lots of information through learndirect. learndirect also offers tailored one-to-one careers or learning advice over the phone, the helpline number is 0800 100 900.

You can also go to your local library and look through the careers guides and information they have there. To find your local library, find your Local Authority and search their website for local libraries.

If you'd like to get back into learning you can access a range of information and links into telephone and face-to-face services in Directgov's learning section.

If you're looking for a job or information about the sort of work you can get you can go to your local Job Centre Plus. You can also access useful information about getting into work in Directgov's looking for work section.

If you've been to university the Prospects website is for graduates and students and offers loads of information and help to maximise your career potential.

If you are or have attended college or university you can also use the careers services there.

Acas aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. Acas provides information and advice about workplace rights and you can call their helpline on 08457 47 47 47.

Worksmart also provides a range of information about your rights at work. And the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides a worker's website which covers employment rights in relation to health and safety. There is also more information on work place rights on the TUC's workSMART website.

If you need to find legal representation or professional legal advice The Law Society provides access to a database of solicitors across the UK.

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can provide advice about your rights at work free of charge. They also have an online Adviceguide if you would prefer to search for their advice that way.