# data[].attributes.body
Education Support Officers (ESO)

EY Central Team

Aim: To strengthen the capacity of early years providers and partner services, to anticipate and meet learners’ needs and to support families

We work in:

• City of Edinburgh School Nursery classes

• City of Edinburgh Nursery Schools

• Early Years Centres

• Partner Provider Nurseries

The Early Years Team work within a multi-disciplinary model and use the SCERTS Framework to:

• Observe

• Assess

• Plan

• Advise

• Model

• Support

• Evaluate and review

Support for each child and setting is 'needs-led' and not diagnosis dependent.

Early Years Team staff can be included in Child Planning Meeting (CPM) invitations as part of the team around the young person.

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Umbrella Hubs location and times

Families can also refer themselves or by attending a session or calling the Support Line 08000 28 22 33 (7days a week, Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat/Sun 9am – noon)

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Multisensory Learning Resources - Books and Stories

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Multisensory Learning Resources - Books and Stories

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From the Scottish Book Trust

Sensory Storytelling project for schools

Links to Multisensory Learning Resources about:

sensory stories

tactile books

Braille books

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Sensory Storytelling is a three-year project which brings the magic of books and sensory storytelling to children and families in Scotland

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How support is planned - Enquire

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Advice to help parents understand how thier children’s extra help in school is planned.

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Working together with your child's school

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Working together with your child's school

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Umbrella Hubs- up to date info for parents

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Umbrella Hubs- up to date info for parents

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Up to date hub locations can be found here: Padlet - Umbrella Hubs location and times

Further information can be found here: Padlet - The Umbrella Hub - Information

Professionals can refer using this e-mail address: efsp@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Families can also refer themselves or by attending a session or calling the Support Line 08000 28 22 33 (7days a week, Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat/Sun 9am – noon)

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The Everywhere Bear

N-P1 Transition Story

Narrated with 'Signalong'

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The Umbrella Hub - Information

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Striking the balance

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Edinburgh Disability and Neurodiversity Hub

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Edinburgh Disability and Neurodiversity Hub

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New Edinburgh Disability and Neurodiversity Hub (EDAN). The partnership supports families with children or young people who are disabled and/or neurodivergent.

You can find the website link here: www.theyardscotland.org.uk/edan-hub

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We create thriving communities of support for disabled children, young people and their families, through our adventure play centres.

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Family holiday activities – The City of Edinburgh Council

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Edinburgh Disability and Neurodiversity Hub

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Edinburgh Disability and Neurodiversity Hub

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New Edinburgh Disability and Neurodiversity Hub (EDAN). The partnership supports families with children or young people who are disabled and/or neurodivergent.

You can find the website link here: www.theyardscotland.org.uk/edan-hub

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We create thriving communities of support for disabled children, young people and their families, through our adventure play centres.

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The Everywhere Bear

N-P1 Transition Story 2025/26

Narrated with 'Signalong'

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edinburgh.gov.uk/supportforfamilies

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Education Support Officers (ESO)

EY Central Team

Aim: To strengthen the capacity of early years providers and partner services, to anticipate and meet learners’ needs and to support families

We work in:

• City of Edinburgh School Nursery classes

• City of Edinburgh Nursery Schools

• Early Years Centres

• Partner Provider Nurseries

The Early Years Team work within a multi-disciplinary model and use the SCERTS Framework to:

• Observe

• Assess

• Plan

• Advise

• Model

• Support

• Evaluate and review

Support for each child and setting is 'needs-led' and not diagnosis dependent.

Early Years Team staff can be included in Child Planning Meeting (CPM) invitations as part of the team around the young person.

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The City of Edinburgh Council- Support for Families- Directory

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The City of Edinburgh Council- Support for Families- Directory

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https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/supportforfamilies

links on the parent and carers web pages

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Contact the Parent and Carer Support team if you are finding it difficult to identify or access support for you, your child or a family member.

Send us information on any free or low cost programmes, activities or groups for parents, carers or families in Edinburgh which you would like to see included or if any content needs to be amended.

While aiming to provide the best quality information possible, we do not recommend or endorse any particular service which is listed, offer advice about choice of service and take no responsibility for any support provided. Email

supportingparentsandcarers@edinburgh.gov.uk.

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Find out about what support we provide for families

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Encouraging Eating for children and young people with neurodevelopmental disabilities on Vimeo

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Encouraging Eating for children and young people with neurodevelopmental disabilities on Vimeo

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https://vimeo.com/747293973

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Encouraging Eating for children and young people with neurodevelopmental disabilities

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This session was developed jointly by the NHS Lothian professionals from Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and CAMHS Intellectual Disability. 

We discuss some reasons why children and young people might limit their food and share ideas on increasing the volume and variety of foods, where there are real concerns about nutritional status. We suggest practical strategies to try at home for mealtimes, explore learning opportunities for new food and food chaining.

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PANTS campaign- protecting children from sexual abuse

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PANTS campaign- protecting children from sexual abuse

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Encouraging parents, carers and professionals to have conversations with children in an age-appropriate way about how to stay safe. Pantosaurus resources for 3-11 year olds are available across the city

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Celebrating 10 years of Talk PANTS!

Pantosaurus has helped 1.5 million parents Talk PANTS and keep their children safe from sexual abuse.

Developed in consultation with children, parents, carers and teachers, Talk PANTS is here to help children understand their body belongs to them, and they should tell a safe adult they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried.

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Our PANTS activity pack makes it easy to talk to your child about staying safe from harm. With a word search, dot-to-dot and maze game, you can help them learn without using any scary words.

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Recording of the training that ASL deliver online in June to parents across the city to help prepare them for the transition to P1. There is opportunity for questions and answers. These discussions help feed into the training that is delivered to the P1 teachers in June and August. ('Preparation is Key' & 'Now You Know Your Children')

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support for all carers including filling in forms, emotional support, financial information https://www.vocal.org.uk/

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The VOCAL 100 club is our monthly lottery which raises money for carer support and pays out half of the fund in cash prizes. This Read more

The upcoming UK General Election represents an opportunity to vote for a party with an understanding of the needs and priorities of unpaid carers. We Read more

"...I feel like I live in an open prison on a desert island." VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian), in partnership with Edinburgh Health and Read more

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VOCAL: Support for unpaid carers in Edinburgh & Midlothian

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Are you a carer living in Edinburgh or Midlothian? VOCAL supports unpaid carers through information, peer support and access to services.

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Striking the balance

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Support Services for Black and Minority Ethnic Families

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Support Services for Black and Minority Ethnic Families

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CEC Holiday Club (Hub) for children with ASN

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CEC Holiday Club (Hub) for children with ASN

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Inclusion and wellbeing – The City of Edinburgh Council

Based in Braidburn and Oaklands

Holiday Hub information is sent out to all families via the schools in June with applications closing in August.

There are 3 rates:

1=£40 receiving benefits

2=£80 Low-income families

3=£120 working families

The Hub aims to offer families 4 weeks in the school year.

Contact:

HolidaySupport holidaysupport@edinburgh.gov.uk

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The Council will be coordinating Holiday Support for children with a disability for the academic year 2023/24. This will include October break, February break, Easter and the Summer holidays. Each week will run Monday to Thursday, 9am until 3pm (excluding Easter Monday). We aim to offer 4 weeks over the academic year to each child offered a place.
Apply for Holiday Support
This application is not for children who will be in nursery over the academic year. S6 students leaving in summer 2024 will not be eligible for summer provision. They are likely to be offered up to 2 weeks of provision out of the possible 4 weeks.

Holiday Support is for children with a disability who are unable to access mainstream holiday clubs due to their complex needs, and whose family need support during school holidays.

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Get help with education if you have additional support needs.

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Additional Support Needs (ASN) Activities in Edinburgh in the Early Years

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Additional Support Needs (ASN) Activities in Edinburgh in the Early Years

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Family holiday activities – The City of Edinburgh Council

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Live updates- Family Holiday Activities Edinburgh

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Live updates- Family Holiday Activities Edinburgh

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What’s on for families during the holidays

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Child Mental Health - Advice and Information

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Parenting Smart offers practical advice for parents and carers of children aged 5-11. All of our content is created by Place2Be's parenting experts. It's based on evidence and their experiences working with children, young people and their families.

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If you’re thinking about special school for your child, a good place to start is talking to their current school or nursery. You can find out whether they’re in agreement that a specialist placement is the best option

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www.callscotland.org.uk

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SOS Approach to Feeding | Feeding Disorders in Children

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0

SOS Approach to Feeding

A transdisciplinary program for assessing and treating children with feeding difficulties

When Children Won't Eat

Sometimes, discerning the difference between a "picky eater" and a problem feeder can be difficult. Determining whether or not your child is even a "picky eater" to begin with isn't necessarily simple. It could just be a hiccup in their developing tastes, or a little phase they're going through. But if your child is a picky eater or a problem feeder, they will likely require support to learn how to eat a more varied diet. If you're concerned about a potentially "picky eater" in your life, read these common questions and learn whether SOS Approach to Feeding can help your child.

Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders

1. If you were to make a list of all of the foods that your child eats, how many foods would be on that list?

2. Does your child eat the same food over and over, then suddenly stop eating that food (Food Jag)? Will they accept that food again at some point in the future, or is that food typically lost?

3. What happens if you put a new food on their plate?

4. Do they eat at least one food from most nutrition (proteins, vegetables, etc.) and texture (purees, soft foods, chewy foods, etc.) categories?

5. What does their plate look like at meals compared to the rest of the family's?

6. How hard is it for them to learn about new foods?

7. How often has your child been reported as a "picky eater" at well-child check-ups?

Discover the differences between Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders with the Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders Questionnaire.

Read More

Parents & Caregivers

We know that each child and situation is unique, and we've seen the heartbreak and fear that can come when things aren't going well. We know it's much more than "just a phase," and that ensuring your child is getting the nutrients necessary to not just survive, but flourish, is no easy task. Let us help.

Start Here

Professionals

The SOS Approach is the only results-driven feeding program with 30 years of proven clinical experience helping children learn the skills they need to eat well. We've been training professionals in the field about feeding challenges and how to best utilize our approach in their practices for decades, and the results speak for themselves. If you're looking for ways to expand how you work with children with feeding problems, we can help revolutionize the way you look at assessment, what treatment strategies you use, and how to best improve your impact on parents and caregivers.

Start Here

Whether you're just starting out in treatment with your first child with a feeding disorder, or you have been doing this for years, SOS provides information and strategies to improve your skills to help even the most challenging children.

SOS Training Conferences

All training in the SOS Approach to Feeding begin by attending the Main Training Conference. This conference provides the foundational information in feeding development, assessments, and therapy using the SOS Approach to Feeding. View the SOS Conference Schedule

Advanced Workshops

After completing the SOS Approach to Feeding Main Training Conference, therapists can take our online, pre-recorded Advanced Workshops. These workshops provide advanced techniques that address special populations and specialized topics in feeding, allowing you to gain additional information relevant to your setting. View Topics and Register

SOS Mentorship

After completing the SOS Approach to Feeding Conference and taking selected Advanced Workshops based on your clinical population, you can join a Mentorship Course. Mentorship provides personalized guidance and feedback on the use of the SOS Approach in your setting and with your clinical caseload. View Upcoming Mentorship Courses

SOS Certification

After completing all of the above steps, you can take the Certification Course to become a Certified SOS Therapist. This course provides expert-level training for therapists who demonstrate mastery of the SOS Approach and to utilize the SOS Philosophies in treatment. SOS Certification is required for those who wish to do research on the SOS Approach to Feeding program. Learn More & Register

The Parent and Caregiver Workshop offers an introductory view of the SOS Approach to Feeding to help Parents and Caregivers understand how complicated feeding/eating is, why children may struggle to eat, and how to help children to eat better. This Workshop will teach Parents and Caregivers about the foundational skills needed for eating. Practical Strategies are discussed so Parents and Caregivers can help their children learn to have a lifelong healthy relationship with food. This Workshop will be addressing common feeding issues often seen in young children, to struggles that "picky eaters" may have, and the challenges of the "problem feeder".

Copyright SOS Approach to Feeding © 2024 | Web Design by Webolutions

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SOS Approach to Feeding | Feeding Disorders in Children

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The SOS Approach to Feeding provides information and strategies to improve your skills to help even the most challenging children learn to eat.

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Child Planning Meeting Minutes- Word Version-April2023

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The CPM process should be seen as a positive support.  Some parents can initially be resistant to the idea but are then quick to realise that it is to support and help their child.  The meetings allow Nursery practitioners/ Class Teachers, Health Visitor and other agencies to talk about your child, the progress they have made, strategies being used and next steps.  The meetings can last up to 1 hour.  Clear minutes with actions for all are noted.  Once a child is supported through CPMs, it does not mean they will need them for the rest of their schooling.  A child only has CPMs when they need them

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We appreciate that in education there are many acronyms and specialist vocabulary.  

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We appreciate that in education there are many acronyms and specialist vocabulary.  

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ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ASD – Autistic Spectrum Disorder (name of the medical diagnosis). ASD is more comonly referred to as 'Autism'

ASC - Autistic Spectrum Condition. ASC is also more commonly referred to as 'Autism'

ASLS - Additional Support for Learning Service

IST -Inclusion Support Team

ASN - Additional Support Needs - A child or young person is said to have additional support needs if they need more – or different support – to what is normally provided in schools or pre-schools to children of the same age.

CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services-  NHS service that assess and treat young people with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.

CE- Care Experienced- A child who has experienced LAC at some point in their lives

CF – Cystic Fibrosis

CfE - Curriculum for Excellence - Is the way schools and yarly years settings organise learning and teaching for 3 – 18 year olds.

CP – Cerebral Palsy

CPMs- Child Planning Meetings

CSP - Co-ordinated Support Plan - A child/young person is eligible for a CSP when they need intensive specialist support at school from services other than education services, on an ongoing basis. A CSP document gathers together reports and plans from all the professionals who will support a child with additional support needs in school, for example speech and language therapists, social workers etc.

CT - Class Teacher

DCD- Development Coordination Disorder (also known as Dyspraxia)

DHT - Depute Head Teacher

EAL - English as an Additional Language - This includes children/young people and parents: - who have recently arrived in Scotland from another country and are new to learning English - who have always lived in this country but use a language other than English at home.

ELC - Early Learning & Childcare - This term is meant to emphasise that care and education of very young children are not two separate things as babies and young children are learning all the time.

EP – Educational Psychologist

GIRFEC - Getting it Right for Every Child - A Scottish Government policy which aims to make sure all Scotland’s children, young people and their families have support across public services, such as health, education and social work.

HT - Head teacher

LAC - Looked-After Child - A child who is looked after and housed by the local authority. Some children are looked after at home.

Neurodiverse (adj)  describes a space, not a person

Preferably don't use it. Use Neurodivergent minority

Neurodiversity (n):
A biological truism that refers to the limitless variability of human nervous systems on the planet, in which no two can ever be exactly alike due to the influence of environmental factors

The Neurodiversity Movement
Is a continuously evolving public discourse, discussion or debate that aims to improve the status of Neurominorities. Anybody who engages in the discourse, whether they are "For" or "Against" the Movement ARE the Movement

Neurominority (noun or adj)
Neurominority can be a preferred term for people with medically labelled conditions

OT – Occupational Therapist

SLT – Speech and Language Therapist (sometimes known as SaLT)

SEN – Special Educational Needs

PSA – Pupil Support Assistant - Usually helps support individual pupils with specific tasks in a school setting.

SfL Teacher – Support for Learning Teacher – A teacher who supports individual or groups of children and advises teachers within a school setting.

SHANARRI Indicators - Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible, Included -   These are part of GIRFEC and are necessary for a child or young person to reach their potential. They are used to record observations, events and concerns to create an individual plan for a child.

GIRFEC Process – This is a structured process used to identify the level of support required to meet the learning needs of an individual child or young person. A child's progress is regularly reviewed at Child Planning Meetings

SLT - Senior Leadership Team - Usually includes the Head Teacher Deputes and Principal Teachers

TAC- Team Around the Child- The professionals, including school staff and outside agencies, that are supporting the learner.

VI – Visual Impairment

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What is Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC)?

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What is Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC)?

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GIRFEC - is at the centre of everything we do

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GIRFEC - is at the centre of everything we do

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Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) supports families by making sure children and young people can receive the right help, at the right time, from the right people. The aim is to help them to grow up feeling loved, safe and respected so that they can realise their full potential.

Most children and young people get all the help and support they need from their parent(s), wider family and community but sometimes, perhaps unexpectedly, they may need a bit of extra help.

GIRFEC is a way for families to work in partnership with people who can support them, such as teachers, doctors and nurses.

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School Nurse P1+ only
CAMHS support 7yrs old +

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When a Child Planning Meeting (CPM) is going to take place, you will receive a letter or an email inviting you to the meeting.

You can bring someone along with you to attend the meeting.

The meeting may be in person- usually in your child's nursery or school or it may be online using MicrosoftTeams

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The meeting will usually be chaired by the Manager of the Nursery, The Health Visitor or a Head Teacher/ Deputy Head Teacher in the school with responsibility for your child's level.  This will be the person who sent you the invite.

It is important that meetings are run efficiently, and the Chair is responsible for keeping discussion focused whilst ensuring that all relevant issues are discussed, and the views of children, young people and parents/carers are expressed and taken account of.

The CPM usually covers the following -

Welcome and introductions

Apologies

Purpose of review

Positives- Progress in achieving outcomes

Any significant events or concerns since last meeting

Input from agencies

Child/young person’s views

Parent/carer’s views  (If these have not been heard during the meeting)

Other matters for consideration (if any)  if appropriate

Date of next meeting.

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A helpful booklet aimed at adults working alongside children within the early years.

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animation video link shared on NAS YouTube channel (for older siblings or family etc) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbwRrVw-CRo

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Amazing Things Happen - by Alexander Amelines

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www.autism.org.uk

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Sparking interaction with young autistic children

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Sparking interaction with young autistic children

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Imitate to Connect (hanen.org)

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Building communication with autistic children

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Building communication with autistic children

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Branching Out Together (previously Lothian Autistic Society) 

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Branching Out Together (previously Lothian Autistic Society) 

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– activity sessions and information - www.branchouttogether.org/who-are-we

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Formally known as Lothian Autistic Society, Branch Out Together are the provider of social activities for children and young people with autism throughout Edinburgh and The Lothians. We offer a supportive and understanding learning environment, and weekly events where the children can try new activities that are stimulating and challenging.

These activities help them to gain coping skills while having fun and building friendships with their peers.  Our aim is to help children and young people on the autism spectrum to be confident, to lead full and enriched lives, and to support families in their caring role.

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Formally known as Lothian Autistic Society, Branch Out Together are the provider of social activities for children and young people with autism throughout Edinburgh and The Lothians. We offer a supportive and understanding learning environment, and weekly events where the children can try new activities that are stimulating and challenging.

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Access to online Support Programmes – Modules that can be tailored to individual families, guided to materials by a mentor

https://www.scottishautism.org/services-support/family-support/online-support-right-click

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Important note for professionals

The Right Click programme has been developed specifically for parents or carers of autistic individuals. During the registration process, participants will be asked questions about their young child, teenager or adult so that we can provide more tailored support if required. We are not accepting people on a professional capacity however, if you wish to preview some of the material to determine suitability for parents/carers that you support, please contact us at rightclick@scottishautism.org to make arrangements.

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The Right Click programme has been developed specifically for parents or carers of autistic individuals. During the registration process, participants will be asked questions about their young child, teenager or adult so that we can provide more tailored support if required.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0PVlfFJ_3g

Sensory Differences

Updated Video 2024

Explanation and practical strategies.

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Video/advert shown on Scottish TV.

Scottish Government campaign. Informed by autistic people.

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Different minds. One Scotland.

Different minds. One Scotland is a Scottish Government campaign designed to support the The Scottish Strategy for Autism, and we would love your support.

You can find a range of campaign assets and social media content for sharing and download below, as well as a campaign toolkit.

What are you waiting for? Get sharing and get people engaged.

To find out more about the campaign or discuss your support email autism@smarts.agency

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Get Involved | Autism Scotland | Different Minds. One Scotland

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Want to get involved with Different Minds. One Scotland, and support the Scottish Government in promoting understanding of autism? Sure you do! Here's how.

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Disability Sport and Physical Activity Officer

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Disability Sport and Physical Activity Officer

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Edinburgh Leisure - additional support needs activities or adaptations that can be made to available activities.

Contact Sara Kemp SaraKemp@edinburghleisure.co.uk    07557379050

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Allows an extra adult in the pool with the young person

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Any website will use types of information gathering tools, for example cookies, to function. These are mostly used to make the site work for you and do not usually directly identify you, but they can give you a more personalised web experience. You can choose not to allow some types of tools however this may impact your experience of the site.

These settings will be stored in a cookie on your device. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, please visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

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Adult and Junior Swim Coaching - Swimming Classes and Courses

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Any website will use types of information gathering tools, for example cookies, to function. These are mostly used to make the site work for you and do not usually directly identify you, but they can give you a more personalised web experience.

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5 years or over - https://www.ceacard.co.uk/

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The CEA Card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas that enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them when they visit a participating cinema.

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https://www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/travelling-with-additional-needs

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Twilight bag drop is expanding -

We understand that travelling with hidden disabilities or additional needs can be a challenging experience. The information below will explain and highlight the resources we offer to help make your next journey through the airport as comfortable as possible.

Lanyards and Pins

We are constantly working to improve the airport experience for our vulnerable passengers who may not want to share details of their hidden disabilities. To support this, we offer a sunflower lanyard or pin which can be worn during the journey through our airport. Our lanyard/pin identifies the wearer to staff as someone who may need additional support or understanding. Our staff have been specially trained to recognise the lanyards and act accordingly.

Using a lanyard or pin is entirely optional and if you would like to use one, they can be collected on your date of travel from our Special Assistance reception or our Security Hall. Simply speak to a member of our team and they will be able to help.

If you have any questions, or need to get in touch, you can email [email protected] .

Social Story

To help you prepare, you can download a social story for your airport journey. This is especially useful for passengers on the Autism spectrum.
Download now

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Hidden disabilities and additional needs | Edinburgh Airport

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Twilight bag drop is expanding - We understand that travelling with hidden disabilities or additional needs can be a challenging experience. The information below will explain and highlight the resources we offer to help make your next journey through the airport as comfortable as possible.

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https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/public-transport/taxicard/1

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If you have a disability that makes it difficult to use ordinary buses you can apply for a taxicard to help you to get around the city and make your journeys cheaper.

To be eligible you need to live in Edinburgh and have a permanent disability and be older than two years old.

A taxicard lasts for three years and allows you to make 104 trips per year. This is the equivalent of one return journey a week.

To use the card, either book a taxi or ask at a rank for a taxicard booking.
NB You can't hail a taxi in the street. Download frequently asked questions about taxicards (PDF, 50 KB)
Taxicard operator

Central Taxis are the only taxi operator who accepts taxicards.

If you require a private hire vehicle saloon car contact

0131 442 4444.

If you require a black cab with full wheelchair access, contact

0131 229 2468.

Trains

Taxicard holders can travel on trains within Edinburgh for free.

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Tax discount vouchers for people who cannot use buses

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Enquire- getting the right support in place

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Enquire- getting the right support in place

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Getting the right support in place for my child - Enquire

support for parents around Additional Support for Learning in education https://enquire.org.uk/

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This section explains how your child's support should be planned, including how their needs can be identified and assessed. It includes information on the planning process and the different ways that your child may be supported.

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Getting the right support in place for my child - Enquire

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This section will help you understand how a child's needs are identified and assessed and the process of how support is planned.

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Family Advice and Information Resource, including filling in forms

Home Page (fairadvice.org.uk)

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FAIR (Family Advice and Information Resource) is an information and advice service for people with learning disabilities and carers in Edinburgh.

We are an independent charity, set up in 1991 by parents and carers. We are not part of any other organisation. The advice we give is free, and anything you tell us will be kept private.

The service we offer is:
Click here to download FAIR's Annual Review 2021-2022 as a PDF.
Alternative Formats:
We are happy to provide information in alternative formats on request.
Please call 0131 662 1962
or emailfair@fairadvice.org.uk to find out more.

FAIR is a Charitable Company limited by Guarantee. Registered in Scotland No 135696.
Registered Scottish Charity No SC002280

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FAIR (Family Advice and Information Resource) is an information and advice service for people with learning disabilities, parents, carers and people who work with them in Edinburgh.

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support for people with Additional Support Needs, including filling in forms - https://actiongroup.org.uk/

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parents of any young person, for general information and signposting

0800 28 22 33

https://www.children1st.org.uk/help-for-families/parentline-scotland/

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Worried about a child? You can talk to us

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for all parents in Scotland - https://www.parentclub.scot/

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Tips and advice you can trust to help with the ups and downs of parenting. Through pregnancy to toddler tantrums and starting school, all the way up to those tricky teenage years, Parent Club is here to help.

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Learn about CALL Scotland

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We help children and young people across Scotland to overcome disability and barriers to learning created by their environment, and to fulfil their potential.

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https://www.parentclub.scot/family-support-directory

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Topic filter

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Age filter

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Expectant Parent

New Born | 0 - 1 years

Toddler | 1 - 3 years

Child | 4 - 7 years

Child | 8 - 10 years

Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years

Adult

Aberlour

Aberlour offer a range of services across Scotland which offer practical and emotional care and support - read more at www.aberlour.org.uk.

In addition, Aberlour's Urgent Assistance Fund can provide immediate relief to families with children (aged 21 and under) who are suffering extreme hardship and are struggling to provide food, heating and clothing for their children.

The fund provides urgent assistance for essential items, usually via cash grants for items such as food, utilities, clothing, bedding, appliance repairs, replacement of broken appliances or other essentials. Aberlour don't make awards for carpets, floor coverings or electronic devices.

Applications must be endorsed and submitted by a sponsor, acting in their professional capacity. Eligible sponsors include social workers, health care professionals, teachers, clergy and third sector organisations. Aberlour can't accept applications directly from individuals/families.

To find out more and apply visit the Aberlour website www.aberlour.org.uk and follow the link to the Urgent Assistance Fund.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Money hardship, grants, fund, urgent assistance, urgent help, emergency help, cash grants

Allied Health Professionals - supporting child development

If you're concerned about your child's development an Allied Health Professional (AHP) can help. Your concerns may be things like co-ordination, walking, sitting up, nutrition and weight, clumsiness, sensory concerns, fussy eating, playing, reading, writing, hearing, or stammering.

Allied Health Professionals is a term used to describe a range of professions including art therapists, dietitians, drama therapists, music therapists, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, orthoptists, osteopaths, paramedics, physiotherapists, podiatrists, prosthetists and orthotists, diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers, and speech and language therapists.

You can get referred to an AHP by your GP or Health visitor. You can also contact an AHP directly through Enquire's website.

You and your family can also find support through the Kids Independently Developing Skills website. They provide information, advice, strategies and self-help support.

Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Health and Wellbeing Additional Support Needs Behaviour helper, support worker, ASN, additional support needs, disability, disabled, carers allowance, carers supplement, school, help, learning disability, disabled, learning disorder, autism, dyslexia, downs syndrome, learning support

Bliss - for babies born premature or sick

Having a premature or sick baby in hospital can be incredibly distressing for families.

Bliss offers emotional and practical support to empower families and equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to provide the best possible care to their baby, for however long they live and for however long their stay in neonatal care.

They provide information about caring for premature and full term sick babies at every stage of their hospital journey, and after they have gone home.

Through their network of dedicated volunteers they provide face-to-face and email support, so families have access to practical information and a listening ear when they need it the most.

You can find out more on the Bliss website.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years premature, premature baby, baby, pregnancy, loss, baby loss, sick, preterm, pre-term

Children's Health Scotland

Children's Health Scotland is the only charity in Scotland dedicated to informing, promoting, and campaigning on the healthcare needs and rights of all children and young people across Scotland.

Services include:

Children's Health and Wellbeing Services

Care Experienced Children and Young People Services

Health Rights for Children and Young People Services

Children's Health Scotland also run Self-Management Service Programmes (SMS). SMS supports children and young people aged 9-17, who are living anywhere in Scotland with a health condition. These are held either online (SMS: CONNECT) or face-to-face (SMS: F2F), and consist of a mixture of games, relaxation, discussions, practical skills activities, or peer support so that children and young people feel better able to cope with their health condition.

Children and young people who have completed an SMS Programme can also take part in SMS: HUB, a monthly online meet up for boosting health and wellbeing.

Find out more on the Children's Health Scotland website:

Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Adult Health and Wellbeing Care Experienced Children and Young People Your Rights care, care experienced, children's health, young people's health, health, wellbeing, health condition

Maternity Action

Maternity Action is a charity that offers free advice on rights at work, maternity pay, and benefits to pregnant women and new parents. You can call them on 0808 802 0029 from 10 - 1pm Monday to Friday.

They also offer free advice on NHS maternity care to women worried about being charged for NHS maternity care or who are having difficulties getting a maternity appointment.

You can call their Maternity Care Access Advice Service Line for free on 0808 800 0041 from 10am - 12pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Money Health and Wellbeing Your Rights pregnancy, expect, expectant, pregnant, pregnancy, antenatal, new parent, new mum, new dad, support with money, new baby

Mentoring for care experienced children

It's important for all young people to have at least 1 long term relationship with a positive adult role model. It can be difficult for children to find this role model in a family setting if they are in care.

Intandem is a mentoring programme that connects children and young people aged 8 to 14 who are looked after by their local authority but living at home, with adults who can be a long term source of support and friendship.

Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Health and Wellbeing Your Child's Relationships Care Experienced Children and Young People Mental Health Your Rights child, teen, mentor, role models, young people support,

One Parent Families Scotland

One Parent Families Scotland aims to enable single parent families to achieve their potential, to reach a decent standard of living and contribute to Scottish society. They offer expert advice and support for single parents about anything from dealing with a break-up, sorting out child maintenance, understanding benefits, getting benefit calculations, finances when expecting a baby, paying for study and training, to moving into work and much more. Our direct services tailored to the needs of single parent families cover:

tailored advice and information

welfare rights and money advice

family support

support into training, education and employment programmes

training for practitioners

services to reduce the digital exclusion facing single parents.

Contact them through their freephone helpline on 0808 801 0323 or via their online chat.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Adult Money Health and Wellbeing Family Relationships Mental Health Domestic Abuse divorced, separated, broken up, breakup, seperation, single mother, single dad

Parent Network Scotland

Parent Network Scotland is a national charity that offers a range of support, training and family wellbeing programmes. Through their online Parent Academy, families can benefit from accredited programmes, certificated courses, learning new tools and techniques that enhance family life.

You can contact PNS at:

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Adult Health and Wellbeing Family Relationships Mental Health self-care, self care, stress, health, courses, parenting courses, lessons, breakup, divorce, building a relationship, parenting advice, parenting help, parenting support

Relationships Scotland

Relationship counselling helps people with their relationships. This can help you to work through problems in current relationships, explore the effects of past relationships or look at how to improve and enrich relationships for the future.

Relationships Scotland also supports parents, children, young people and the wider family through family change and disruption, particularly where this has occurred as a result of separation, divorce, civil partnership dissolution or family restructuring. The aim of family mediation is to improve communication, reduce conflict and to agree on practical, workable arrangements for the future, taking into account children's views, needs and feelings.

Child Contact Centres can play an essential role in helping children affected by family breakdown to maintain relationships with the parent they no longer live with, or with other family members.

You can call Relationships Scotland's Info-Line on 0345 119 2020 for more information or visit their website at www.relationships-scotland.org.uk

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Adult Health and Wellbeing Your Child's Relationships Family Relationships Mental Health fighting, arguing, breaking up, divorce, separation, family therapy, stress, family problems

Scottish Book Trust

The Scottish Book Trust is a national charity that believes books, reading and writing have the power to change lives. A love of reading inspires creativity, improves employment opportunities, mental health and wellbeing and is one of the most effective ways to help break the poverty cycle.

New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Additional Support Needs Learning Play songs, nursery rhymes, rhymes, games, book, things to do, entitlements, free books, p1,

Scottish Transition Forum for parents of young people with additional support needs

The Scottish Transition Forum - improving transitions for parents of young people with additional support needs.

The Scottish Transitions​ Forum aims to improve the experiences for parents and carers of young people with additional support needs aged 14-25 who are making the transition from school to young adult life. It provides information, guidance, and useful links to support young people, their parents and carers, and professionals.

Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Additional Support Needs Care Experienced Children and Young People disability, asn, leaving school, school leaver, further education, job, work, apprenticeships

Skills Development Scotland for secondary school children

When your kids reach secondary school, they might start thinking about what they want to do in the future. My world of work gives you and your child help and advice to prepare them for jobs, courses and even interviews.

It can also help them build the skills they need to understand themselves and the world around them.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Learning learning, training, practise, teenager, teen, s5, s6, college, university, apprenticeship, secondary, career development, leaving school, school leaver, job, work, studying, college, HND, qualifications

Support during pregnancy

If you've just found out you're pregnant, your GP practice can help you make an appointment with a midwife. Your midwife will be there for you every step of the way, supporting you throughout your pregnancy as well as after the birth. Chat with them about your needs and choices and then you can work together to plan what's best for you and your baby. For more information, visit the Ready Steady Baby website.

If you need further support, Amma Birth Companions is a registered Scottish charity that provides care, information, and advocacy to birthing people in need of support. They offer birth and postnatal companionship, as well as antenatal education and peer support activities. Their mission is to create a supportive space where all birthing people feel seen, informed, and empowered in all aspects of their birth experience. Their volunteers are trained to deliver specialist trauma informed, culturally competent care to birthing people throughout the perinatal period. To learn more or make a referral please visit the Amma website.

Expectant Parent Health and Wellbeing pregnancy, pregnant, birth, midwife, additional support needs, domestic abuse, anxiety, lone parent, perinatal mental health

The Village for parents with care experience

'The Village' is a digital community from the Why Not? Trust created by and for parents with care experience. It's an open and welcoming place where families can find information, access resources, and connect to others. This includes the option to receive 1:1 support from Village team members via direct messaging and video calls on Instagram and Facebook.

Why Not? Trust also have an online hub full of resources and useful signposting for parents and other care-experienced groups. No referrals, or records. Parents choose to join, decide what support they would like and how they would like that support to be offered.

Find out more at whynottrust.org/the-village/

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Care Experienced Children and Young People care, care experienced, care experienced parents, care-experienced, support

Twins and multiple births

If you're pregnant with twins, triplets, or more your midwife will discuss your maternity care with you to make sure it meets your needs.

You can also get in touch with Twins Trust in Scotland who provide information and create support networks for families with twins, triplets or more.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Money Health and Wellbeing Sleep Behaviour Family Relationships Feeding Learning Mental Health triplets, triplet, quadruplets, quadruplet, quintuplets, quintuplet, sextuplets, sextuplets, septuplets, septuplet, octuplets, octuplet, pregnant with twins, getting ready for twins, preparing for twins, breastfeeding twins, sleeping arrangements,

Best Start Grant School Age Payment

Starting school can be a very exciting time but it can also be expensive. If you're eligibile, the School Age Payment is £267.65 for each child. Just like the other Best Start Grants, you can spend it on whatever your child needs.

You can apply from 1 June in the year your child is first old enough to start school until the last day in February the next year.

You don't have to take up a place at school to qualify for a payment. Parents and carers of children who homeschool, or who start school a year later, should still apply during the window when the child is first old enough to start school.

Child | 4 - 7 years Money Learning books, bags, uniform, clothes, shoes, p1, best start grant numbers, apply for best start grant, child benefits, scottish child benefits, money, cost

Family Fund for disabled and seriously ill children

Family Fund provide financial grants to families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people on lower incomes. You can find out more about their eligibility criteria on their website.

They also provide information and signpost to other charities and services which families may find useful.

New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Adult Money Additional Support Needs benefits, sick, disability, asn, entitlements, benefits, additional support needs, child benefits

Free courses on wellbeing and mental health

These free courses from NHS Scotland and SilverCloud can help you boost your wellbeing and mental health, and support your children too. There are programs on sleep, stress, resilience, body image and money worries as well as programs to help you support an anxious child or teen.

You can find out more about the courses available here and sign up for free using the code Scotland2020.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Health and Wellbeing Sleep Mental Health course, learning, anxiety, stress, sleep, worry, anxious, mental health, body image, resilience, money

Free dental healthcare if you're pregnant

If you are pregnant you can access a NHS dentist for free. All you need to do is ask your midwife or GP for a MATB1 certificate and a valid prescription maternity exemption certificate (MatEx).

Expectant Parent Money Health and Wellbeing teeth, tooth, pregnancy, expecting, expectant, free, cavity, trimester, tooth brushing, child dentist, freel dental care pregnancy, dental pregnancy

Free nursery milk

Children under the age of 5 who attend a registered Early Learning and Childcare setting for 2 or more hours per day are entitled to 189ml of free dairy milk to support your child's growth.

Ask your childminder or nursery for more details.

Toddler | 1 - 3 years Health and Wellbeing Food and Eating Learning Your Rights toddler, child, feeding, ELC, snack, free milk,

Free school meals

All children get free school meals during term-time if they go to a local authority school and are in primary 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Please visit the mygov.scot website to find out if your child is eligible to receive free school meals.

Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Money Food and Eating Your Rights child, lunch, healthy eating, breakfast, school dinners, school lunches, entitlements, funded lunches, free lunches, child benefit

Free vitamins for all babies and breastfeeding women

Some vitamins and minerals are very important when your little one is growing. Even though you can get lots of vitamins from a healthy balanced diet, you still might not get everything you need at certain times in your life. That's why there are free vitamins available for infants under 3 years old and breastfeeding women.

All you need to do is ask your midwife, Family Nurse or Health Visitor for more information.

You can find more advice on how to make sure you and your children get enough Vitamin D here.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Money Health and Wellbeing health, newborn, baby, feeding, breastfeeding, breastmilk, healthy, vitamin, healthy kids, healthy child, baby vitamins, infant vitamins

Scottish Child Payment

The Scottish Child Payment is a new benefit that pays £25 a week to families who live in Scotland and get certain benefits. It's available for families with children under the age of 16 and there's no limit on the number of children that families can claim for.

To find out more and apply, visit the mygov.scot website.

The Scottish Child Payment was extended to include children and young people under 16 from 14 November 2022. The payment also increased from £20 to £25 per week on this date.

Children currently in receipt of Scottish Child Payment will have it automatically increased to £25 per week, so you don't have to do anything. And children under 16 who are now eligible will receive it at the new £25 rate, with all payments backdated to the date their application is received.

To find out more visit the Social Security Scotland website.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Money child, teenager, baby, entitlements, new benefit, scottish child benefit, money worries, new scottish benefit

Solihull Approach Online courses for parents, carers and teenagers

There is free access for people across Scotland to the Solihull Approach Online courses for parents, carers and teenagers. These cover a range of topics and ages from pregnancy to 19+ years. There are also courses for teenagers themselves, and one about adult relationships. These courses are for everyone, for everyday parenting. They don't tell you how to parent, that's up to you. Instead they offer a way to understand what might be going on and space to think about how you want to respond.

You can find out more on the Solihull website and access the courses for free using the code TARTAN.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Adult Health and Wellbeing Behaviour Family Relationships Learning Mental Health learning, teen, child, toddler, issues, help, parent, parenting, pregnant, birth, stress, wellbeing, parenting support, parenting advice, parenting help

Young Carer Grant

The Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £326.65 for young people aged 16 to 18 who spend an average of 16 hours caring for someone who receives a disability benefit.

Young carers can spend this grant on anything they want. Examples of what other young carers have used it for are: new clothes, a day out, hobbies, driving lessons, laptops and online streaming subscription.

Find out more about the grant and apply on the mygov.scot website or call 0800 182 2222.

Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Money Additional Support Needs Family Relationships Care Experienced Children and Young People Your Rights teen, teenager, illness, long term, benefit, entitlements, young carer support, carers allowance, carers supplement

Young Patients Family Fund

If you are the parent or primary carer of a child (under 18) who is an inpatient in hospital, you can claimfor financial help towards food, travel and, where appropriate, accommodation when you go to see them. Claims can be made through the Young Patients Family Fund. You can also claim for financial help towards food, travel and accommodation for any of your child's brothers or sisters who are also coming to the hospital to see their sibling.

You must claim from the Young Patients Family Fund within 3 months of the young inpatient being discharged from hospital.

You can find out more about the Young Patients Family Fund and make a claim on the mygov.scot website.

New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Money Health and Wellbeing health, newborn, baby, premi, early, expenses, premature baby clothes, best start grant, pregnancy entitlements, sick baby, hospital, hospital stay, inpatient, young inpatient

'Red Book' - The Personal Child Health Record

When your wee one is born, you'll be given a Personal Child Health Record or "Red Book". It's a great way to keep track of your child's health and development. It's a good idea to take it with you when your child gets their vaccinations to help you keep a record.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Health and Wellbeing Sleep Feeding Play newborn, baby, new mum, new parent, new dad, milestones, baby health, baby weight, vaccinations, jags

Antenatal appointments and antenatal classes

As soon as you know you are pregnant you should get in touch with your GP practice to get a midwife appointment. Your midwife will be able to help you all the way through your pregnancy with everything from staying healthy to what happens when you go into labour.

Speak to your midwife to find out what antenatal classes are available in your area. You can also access free Solihull Approach Online courses for parents on the Solihull website, including courses on understanding pregnancy. Use the code TARTAN to get free access.

NHS Inform has more information on what to expect from your antenatal care. There's also lots of help and support on Parent Club.

Expectant Parent Health and Wellbeing Feeding Mental Health pregnancy classes, pregnancy, birth class, birth, labour, breastfeeding, pregnant, classes, before birth, labour partner, baby classes

Bookbug

Bookbug is Scottish Book Trust's early years programme.

Sharing books helps your little one's development, language and social skills.

Spend a few minutes reading with your child every day.

It's fun, free and simple and the benefits last a lifetime.

Find out how to get your free Bookbug Bags, and where to join in with free Bookbug Sessions on the Scottish Book Trust website
Bookbug bags
Bookbug supports families to read, sing, and play with their little ones to give them the best start in life.

Bookbug Baby and Bookbug Toddler Bag: gifted by your Health Visitor when your baby is 3-5 weeks, and then when your child is 13-15 months old.

Bookbug Explorer Bag: gifted at your child's early years setting when they are 3.

Bookbug Primary 1 Family Bag: gifted at school, typically during Book Week Scotland in November.

Bookbug sessions Free Bookbug app

New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Learning Play songs, nursery rhymes, rhymes, games, book, newborn, singing, baby talk, bookbug

Family Nurse Partnership for young parents

If you or your partner is a first-time mother aged 19 or under you will have access to a Family Nurse. You should be automatically referred after your first appointment with your midwife. Your Family Nurse is there to support you throughout your pregnancy and until your child is 2 years old.

As well as supporting you in caring for your child, they will also work with you to provide advice on your health and wellbeing, and develop plans to support your life goals and ambitions.

Talk to your midwife if you haven't been transferred to a Family Nurse.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Money Health and Wellbeing Sleep Additional Support Needs Behaviour Family Relationships Feeding Mental Health newborn, young mum, young mom, young mother, teen mom, teen mum, teen mother, teenager mother, teenage mum, teenage mom, new baby health, newborn health, support for newborn, support for new parent, support for new mum, health visitor, midwife, named person, pregnancy support, health visitor

Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC)

Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) supports families in Scotland by making sure children, young people and their parents/carers receive the right help, at the right time, from the right people.

Part of this is delivered through a "named person". A " named person " is someone that children and their parents or carers can go to for initial advice and support. The named person will usually be your midwife until your child is born, and your Health Visitor until your child starts school. In school it is usually your child's head teacher or a senior teacher.

A family may be offered direct support from their named person or help to access relevant services offered by the NHS, local authorities, and third sector or community groups. There is no obligation on children and families to accept the offer of advice or support from a named person.

For more information, please see the Scottish Government GIRFEC website.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Money Health and Wellbeing Housing Additional Support Needs Your Child's Relationships Family Relationships Learning Care Experienced Children and Young People Mental Health Domestic Abuse Your Rights Domestic abuse, reporting abuse, reporting, reporter, social worker, social work, named person, looking after children, wellbeing, mental health

Health Visitor for new and expectant parents

Your Health Visitor will be on hand to support you and your child from the time that they are a bump right up to when they begin school. You should be contacted before your child is born, and shortly after birth. Your Health Visitor will provide advice and support on things like infant feeding, access to wider community support, and child development.

They will also undertake child development reviews to help support your child's health and wellbeing. If you have a Family Nurse, then you will meet your Health Visitor once your child is 2 years old. Make sure you're registered with your health board and you'll be assigned a Health Visitor.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Money Health and Wellbeing Sleep Additional Support Needs Behaviour Feeding Mental Health Play newborn, new baby health, newborn health, support for newborn, support for new parent, support for new mum, health visitor, support for new dad, midwife, nurse, family, support with kids, advice, parenting advice, kids health, child behaviour, check ups, development checks, kids wellbeing, mental health

Home education

Home education is where a parent or carer chooses to become the main teacher of their children and takes the legal responsibility for deciding what they will be taught and how. Normally, this is without direct support from schools, or the local authority.

If your child already attends school you must request the local authority's consent to withdraw them from school. You will be expected to explain how you intend to provide a suitable education for your child. In a few circumstances, including if your child has never attended school, you do not have to ask for the local authority's consent to home educate, but the local authority is likely to contact you to find out if your child is receiving a suitable education.

You can find out more about Home Education including information and support networks on the MyGov.scot website.

Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Learning Play Your Rights Homeschooling, home lessons, curriculum, teaching at home, blended learning, alternative learning, schooling options

Miscarriage support

A miscarriage is the loss of your baby before 24 weeks. Suffering a miscarriage is a traumatic experience for anyone. Often we don't know the reason why but it's very unlikely to be caused by anything you did or didn't do.

If you've experienced a miscarriage there is support available from your local NHS Board. Contact your GP, midwife, or other healthcare worker to access the support available.

Many health boards provide counselling and follow up support services. Your health board can also refer you to third-sector organisations like Held in Our Hearts, SiMBA, SANDS, Tommy's and the Miscarriage Association.

Expectant Parent Health and Wellbeing Mental Health Miscarriage, miscarrying, stillborn, healthy pregnancy, expect, expectant, pregnant, pregnancy, baby kicks, count the kicks, fetal movement, maternity

Stillbirth

When a baby dies after 24 weeks of pregnancy, before or during birth, it is known as a stillbirth. Sometimes, a baby can be stillborn and no cause can be found. However, we do know that there are things you can do to reduce your risk:

These apply whether you are having a single or multiple birth.

Expectant Parent Health and Wellbeing Mental Health stillborn, healthy newborn, healthy pregnancy, healthy baby, expect, expectant, pregnant, pregnancy, smoking, smoke, health, stopping smoking, baby kicks, count the kicks, fetal movement,

For more local support, you can try searching at aliss.org.

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All - Money Health and Wellbeing Housing Sleep Additional Support Needs Behaviour Your Child's Relationships Food and Eating Family Relationships Feeding Learning Care Experienced Children and Young People Mental Health Play Domestic Abuse Your Rights - All - Expectant Parent New Born | 0 - 1 years Toddler | 1 - 3 years Child | 4 - 7 years Child | 8 - 10 years Teen and pre-teen | 11+ years Adult Aberlour Aberlour offer a range of services across Scotland which offer practical and emotional care and support - read more at www.aberlour.org.uk.

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·         www.mygov.scot/child-disability-payment

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Child Disability Payment provides support for the extra costs that a disabled child might have.

Child Disability Payment replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children and young people living in Scotland.

You can apply for Child Disability Payment for a disabled child under 16. The disability can be mental or physical.

You can also apply for Child Disability Payment if the disabled child does not have a diagnosis. In such cases, you can tell Social Security Scotland about:

how they're affected

any symptoms they may have

Social Security Scotland will pay Child Disability Payment until the child is 18. They can sometimes continue making payments after the child is 18. Find out more about payments.

Payment components and rates

Child Disability Payment is tax-free and made up of 2 components:

Children:

3 months old or over may qualify for the care component

3 years old or over may qualify for the mobility component

If the child is terminally ill:

they qualify for the care component from birth

they'll also qualify for the mobility component if they're 3 years old or over

Care component

This has 3 different payment rates:

Lowest

This is a weekly rate of £24.45 and paid if the child either:

needs attention from someone, for a significant part of the day, in connection with their bodily functions due to a physical or mental disability

is 16 or older and, due to a mental or physical disability, is unable to prepare a cooked main meal for themselves

Middle

This is a weekly rate of £61.85 and paid if the child either:

needs frequent attention from someone during the day, or prolonged or repeated attention at night, in connection with their bodily functions due to a physical or mental disability

needs continual supervision during the day, or another person to be awake for a prolonged period or at frequent intervals at night, to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others

gets renal dialysis treatment, during the day or at night, at least twice a week

Highest

This is a weekly rate of £92.40 and paid if the child either:

needs frequent attention from someone during the day, and prolonged or repeated attention at night, in connection with their bodily functions due to a physical or mental disability

needs continual supervision during the day, and another person to be awake for a prolonged period or at frequent intervals at night, to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others

gets renal dialysis treatment, during the day and at night, at least twice a week

is terminally ill

If you get the highest rate of the care component, you'll also get Child Winter Heating Assistance.

Mobility component

There are 2 payment rates for the mobility component:

Lower

This is a weekly rate of £24.45 and paid if the child:

is 5 or over

can walk, with or without equipment, but most of the time needs guidance or supervision from another person to move around outdoors

Higher

This is a weekly rate of £64.50 and for children 3 and over.

It's paid if the child either:

cannot walk, or is virtually unable to move around outdoors due to their disability

has a severe visual disability or is blind and deaf

has a severe mental health disability

has severe behavioural difficulties, due to a severe mental health disability, and needs supervision during the day and at night to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others

would experience a serious deterioration in their health from the exertion of walking

is terminally ill

If the child gets the higher rate mobility component, you can apply to lease an accessible vehicle.

Questions you'll be asked

You can download documents showing a sample of questions you'll be asked when applying for Child Disability Payment. They're for reference only and you should not use them to make an application.

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Child Disability Payment provides support for the extra costs that a disabled child might have. Child Disability Payment replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children and young people living in Scotland. You can apply for Child Disability Payment for a disabled child under 16. The disability can be mental or physical.

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Help to apply for CDP available from Social Security Scotland

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Help to apply for CDP available from Social Security Scotland

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www.mygov.scot/contact-social-security-scotland
Help to apply available from voluntary organisations e.g. VOCAL and FAIR

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You can contact Social Security Scotland by post, web chat, or on our freephone number from any phone.

By web chat

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, you can contact us on web chat between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday:

for general enquiries

to check the progress of your application

to let us know something's changed with your application

You can make a new application using the links below.

We can answer your questions quicker if we know your National Insurance number.

We'll never ask for your bank details through web chat.

By phone

Freephone: 0800 182 2222 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday).

If you cannot call 0800 numbers from your mobile phone, you can call us for free from any payphone or landline.

If you're a British Sign Language user, you can use the contactSCOTLAND app to contact us by video relay.

If calling from outside the UK, call +44 (0)1382 931 000. This number is not free but you can ask us to call you back. You should check with your phone provider to find out about any charges.

Stay safe on the phone

We'll never phone you to take a payment. If you're not sure it is us calling, end the call and contact us on 0800 182 2222. We'll tell you if the call was from us.

By post

Social Security Scotland
General Enquiries
PO Box 10301
Dundee
DD1 9FY

If you want to apply for Best Start Grant or Best Start Foods

Apply for Best Start Grant or Best Start Foods.

If you want to apply for the Funeral Support Payment

Apply for the Funeral Support Payment.

If you want to apply for Adult Disability Payment

Apply for Adult Disability Payment.

If you want to apply for Child Disability Payment

Apply for Child Disability Payment.

If you want to apply for Young Carer Grant

Apply for Young Carer Grant.

If you want to apply for Job Start Payment

Apply for Job Start Payment.

If you want to give feedback

You can give feedback to tell us that we:

do something well

need to improve something

If something goes wrong, or you're unhappy with our service, we'll work with you to fix it.

Complaints

Complain about Social Security Scotland.

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You can contact Social Security Scotland by post, web chat, or on our freephone number from any phone. During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, you can contact us on web chat between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday: for general enquiries to check the progress of your application to let us know something's changed with your application You can make a new application using the links below.

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(NOT means tested) Fund open for applications for a set time each year – announcements on social media - the website has more information about the eligibility criteria - https://takeabreakscotland.org.uk/

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We wouldn't have been able to go on such an amazing break without help from Take a Break. Things are extremely difficult with children who aren't able to do things on their own and require 24/7 support. This break enabled us to spend time together, and not worry about things.

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Take a Break | Scotland's short breaks fund to support carers of disabled children and young people who have complex additional needs

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We wouldn't have been able to go on such an amazing break without help from Take a Break. Things are extremely difficult with children who aren't able to do things on their own and require 24/7 support. This break enabled us to spend time together, and not worry about things.

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A framework that guides the approach to supports and strategies in Edinburgh, focussing on Social Communication, Emotional Regulation and Transactional Supports (what the adults do/change). If you’d like to explore this further, the book gives an explanation through real life examples and the videos give an introduction to the approach.

·         website - https://scerts.com/

·         Book – ‘Uniquely Human’ by Barry Prizant

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The SCERTS ® Model is a research-based educational approach and multidisciplinary framework that directly addresses the core challenges faced by children and persons with ASD and related disabilities, and their families. SCERTS ® focuses on building competence in Social Communication, Emotional Regulation and Transactional Support as the highest priorities that must be addressed in any program, and is applicable for individuals with a wide range of abilities and ages across home, school and community settings.

This website offers comprehensive information about the SCERTS ® Model and its collaborators, and resources that are available to assist professionals and parents in developing and implementing educational programs based on the SCERTS ® Model.

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A research-based educational approach and multidisciplinary framework that directly addresses the core challenges faced by children and persons with ASD and related disabilities, and their families.

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-       SCERTS overview - Barry Prizant - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srJ2BnR-Qp8 - 10mins

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SCERTS Model for Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Overview-Emily Rubin -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7-x3bTGNTg - 2min 30sec

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The SCERTS Framework Explained by Emily Rubin, MS, CCC-SLP

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It's not about compliance - Amy Laurent - https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_laurent_compliance_is_not_the_goal_letting_go_of_control_and_rethinking_support_for_autistic_individuals

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Amy Laurent: Compliance is Not the Goal: Letting Go of Control and Rethinking Support for Autistic Individuals

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Instead of trying to control the behaviors of individuals with autism to make them indistinguishable from the general public, Amy Laurent, PhD, OTR/L suggests a positive shift in focus that supports the development of their emotional skills. She is joined virtually by her colleagues Michael John Carley, Patti Menzel, Neal Katz, Stephen Shore, Dena Gassner, Patrick Quinn, and Jacquelyn Fede.

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Podcast- Uniquely Human by Barry Prizant

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Podcast- Uniquely Human by Barry Prizant

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‘Uniquely Human’ by Barry Prizant https://uniquelyhuman.com

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Uniquely Human: The Podcast - Be Informed. Be Inspired.

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We are excited to see our Uniquely Human Podcast Community grow!

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When your child gets older, if it is felt appropriate and the child is of age, they can join in for a part of the staged intervention meeting.

From an early age, all adults are asked to consider ways to gather your child's views so they can be shared at the meeting. This can take the form of 'Talking Mats' 'Observations' etc

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A core principle of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a commitment to ensuring that children and young people have the opportunity to participate in the decisions that affect them, and to be active agents in their own lives. They have key rights under the UNCRC and Scottish and UK legislation, including the right to request an assessment of their needs and to seek the help and support of their Named Person to have their concerns addressed.

Children and young people should contribute to and participate fully in decisions affecting them with adults recognising the value of involving children and young people in decision making. It should be noted that young people aged 16 and over have all the rights of an adult in respect of all education service provision.

After the meeting the chair person will type up the minutes along with the agreed actions.  Everyone who was invited to the meeting receives a copy

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Information below about the following services:

Health Visitor/School Nurse

Community Paediatrics

Speech and Language Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Physiotherapy

CAMHS

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A health visitor is a qualified nurse or midwife who has completed specialist training in children and family health. They offer support and advice regarding the wellbeing of your child until the school years.

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What is a health visitor? A health visitor is a qualified nurse or midwife who has completed specialist training in children and family health. They offer support and advice regarding the wellbeing of your child until the school years. What care does your health visitor provide? Your he…

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Community Paediatrics is a team of mainly doctors who work with children and young people with developmental difficulties and disability. We also help children and young people who may be vulnerable where there might be concerns about their wellbeing.

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Families can contact 07774622520 at the following times:

Tuesday            9-10.30 am

Wednesday         11-12.30 pm

Thursday          1-2.30pm

website - https://www.lets-talk.scot.nhs.uk/

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Speech and Language Therapy - Early Years

This website provides information for professionals and parents/families to support children's speech, language and communication in the early years.

Please contact us if you have any queries, or if you would like to know more.

Get In Touch

You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Guidance and best practice for early years professionals.

Find Out More

Tips and information for talking and playing together.

Find Out More

Activities, events and information for parents and families.

Find Out More

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NHS Lothian Children's Speech & Language Therapy dept works with families and staff to support communication skills, eating, drinking and swallowing needs.

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information and resources

https://children.nhslothian.scot/departments-services/?_sft_category=speech-and-language-therapy

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Departments & Services - Royal Hospital for Children and Young People

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Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/NHSLothianSLT

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www.hanen.org

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Featured Article

Light Up Your Child's Brain with Books!

As children head back to school, many parents wonder what they can do to help their child succeed in the classroom. Well, there's one simple activity that can make a huge difference - enjoy books together! Here are some tips for reading with your child that can lay the foundation for language and literacy success.
Continue Reading
Tips

Language and Literacy-Building Tips

Book Nook

Introducing Rare Vocabulary with Mama Built a Little Nest

Helping a child understand less commonly used words will have a big impact on their reading and writing abilities later on. In this Book Nook, we share some helpful strategies to introduce rare words to children and to ensure they really understand them.
Continue Reading
The Hanen Newsletter

Sign up for The Hanen Newsletter and get the latest articles, biggest news and most helpful tips every month - all chosen especially for you.

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The Hanen Centre | Speech and Language Development for Children

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As children head back to school, many parents wonder what they can do to help their child succeed in the classroom. Well, there's one simple activity that can make a huge difference - enjoy books together! Here are some tips for reading with your child that can lay the foundation for language and literacy success.

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Children's Occupational Therapy helpline opening times:

0131 4464011

Tuesday 9-10am

Thursday 3-4am

Occupational Therapy Number: to arrange a phone appointment 0131 312 1070

-       NHS Lothian - Children OT - information and resources - https://children.nhslothian.scot/departments-services/?_sft_category=occupational-therapy

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Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement.

It uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being.

Physiotherapists work alongside education staff to support children with more complex physical needs

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What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement.

It uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being.

Physiotherapy is science-based and is committed to extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing the evidence which underpins its practice and delivery ( The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy 2018).

Physiotherapy aims to assist patients in restoring their normal balance, encouraging self-management and advising on ways to help facilitate the body's own healing processes.

Physiotherapists can work in:

Physiotherapists are able to treat many physical problems, ranging from:

Musculoskeletal problems (e.g. muscle, joint or bone problems and injuries)

Pelvic Health and Continence Issues

Respiratory conditions e.g. Asthma, Emphysema

Neurological conditions e.g. Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Amputees

Difficulties with walking or functions that affect independence

All physiotherapists working within the NHS must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council

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What is Physiotherapy? Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement. It uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being. Physiotherapy is science-based and is committed to extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing the evidence which underpins its practice and delivery (The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy 2018).

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Child and Adolescent Mental Health - CAMHS

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Child and Adolescent Mental Health - CAMHS

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Child and Adolescent Mental Health - CAMHS is an NHS service that assess and treat young people with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties. Your GP or the school can put in a CAMHS referral.

Here is a link for further information -

Guide to CAMHS | YoungMinds

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We work with colleagues from the NHS and deaf associations.

We are teachers and nursery nurses who support

children and young people (0-18) with a range of types and levels of deafness

young deaf learners and their families

schools and nurseries with teaching and communication support.

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We are a team made up of

teachers of the visually impaired, a mobility teacher,a habilitation assistant,specialist nursery nurses,a resource team.

We work with children from birth and throughout their time at school. We support children in

Edinburgh, Midlothian & West Lothian.

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English as an Additional Language (0-18yrs)

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English as an Additional Language (0-18yrs)

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EAL Specialists work within the learning community (mainstream nurseries and schools). Most support will be provided by school staff but some children and young people may need additional support with their learning. The EAL specialist can help children, young people, families and schools with advice, support and resources.

A specialist may be able to -

Provide staff development.

Suggest resources and strategies to meet the needs of children and young people.

Support assessments of children and young people.

Attend meetings as required.

Work directly with EAL children or young people who have additional support needs.

Support transition and networking of EAL children or young people.

work directly with families to support needs

A decision to request support can be discussed within the learning community. Request for support from an EAL Specialist can be made at a CPM Meeting or by Health Visitors or Nursery Practitioners. If the request is agreed, then EAL teachers will join the existing team around the child in planning appropriate support.  If you have concerns about your child, in the first instance, contact your school or nursery.

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(0-18yrs) EAL and interpreter services are also available to support schools and families. This allows families to be fully involved in their child's learning. Please inform the school if you would like an interpreter to attend any meetings.

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(0-18yrs) All Edinburgh Council Schools and Nurseries have a linked Educational Psychologist who offers a range of psychological skills, interventions and approaches, which have a sound evidence base and believe that interventions work best when all of those involved with a child or young person work together.

Most often, a decision to contact Psychological Services will be taken at a meeting at school or nursery.

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Song Signifiers are used at Oaklands, to help develop awareness and anticipation skills. They are used at the beginning of an activity - to help our pupils recognise what's coming; or at the end of an activity - to help them recognise something is finished.

They are a really useful strategy to use with our children.

Below you will find a number of videos, showing song signifiers used in school that you could use at home.

But first - do you want to know a bit more about them...what they are?...how best to use them? Take a few minutes to check out this video, and it will help you get a better idea...

The Song Signifiers listed below are the:

And if you want to know more about Song Signifiers, or have a home activity that you think needs one - please contact your Speech & Language Therapist.

Finish Song

This is a really useful song to sing at the end of an activity. It communicates clearly to the listener that something is about to stop/change, and can have a really calming effect when used appropriately. In this example "work" is used to denote the activity, but can obviously be replaced with the appropriate activity name/sign.

Washing Our Hands Song

This song can be sung before and during the activity of hand washing, to help someone recognise what is about to happen/happening, thus relieving any stress or anxiety about the unknown.

Toilet Song

By singing this song whenever you're taking a child to the toilet, they may come to recognise what is about to happen next - which could be reassuring and calming.

Snack Song

Singing this song would signify to a child that snack was the next thing happening in their day.

Lunch Song

This song can be sung just before lunch (or before any other meal other than snack - see "Snack" Song) to help clarify what is about to happen, and help someone be calmer and more focussed.

Intensive Interaction Song

Intensive Interaction is an approach we use with pupils, to encourage the sharing of enjoyable and meaningful interactions with children and adults who have complex communication needs. For more information, click here.

In this video you can hear the song signifier, as well as seeing both an object signifier (the tinsel) and a symbol which can also be used to communicate what's about to happen.

Going out on the bus Song

This song signifier can be song when someone is going out on a trip - to the shops, to the library, to the beach etc. It can be sung to help the individual get on the bus (or the car - see below) (i.e. reassure them that they ARE going somewhere) and then, if needed, once on the bus, a second song signifier can be sung to help them understand where they are going (e.g. you might follow up with the "Swimming" song signifier).
If they are travelling by car, you could substitute "on the bus" with "in the car", and sign car, instead of bus.

Swimming Song

This song can be sung as you leave to go swimming, on your way to swimming, as you get changed for swimming, as you head to the pool...or any variation of these. As with all song signifiers, it will help make clearer what is about to happen, and can help calm nerves, help focus so you decide when and how it is best to use it.

Going Home Song

This is a song which can be sung to someone when they are out, and about to go home. At this time, you should sing the "Finish" song (see above) followed by this song. If this is done consistently, it may become clear to the child that things are about to change. As a result, the song may help reduce any behaviours arising from feelings such as anxiety around what is happening.

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Song Signifiers are used at Oaklands, to help develop awareness and anticipation skills. They are used at the beginning of an activity - to help our pupils recognise what's coming; or at the end of an activity - to help them recognise something is finished. They are a really useful strategy to use with our...

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These songs can help with transitions. They are widely used in early years settings, schools and homes across Edinburgh