Evaluation of the Five Family Payments- Sources of Support

ScotCen is an independent, not for profit organisation, which carries out social policy research. We are aware that taking part in an interview about the benefits you receive and the wellbeing of your family may raise issues which you might like further advice and support about.

This leaflet has been put together by ScotCen to provide you with some services and telephone numbers which you may find useful.

ScotCen is not involved in any benefits applications or decisions. For questions related to your benefits please contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.

The following are charities or independent organisations:

General parenting support

  • ACTION FOR CHILDREN - provide a range of services across Scotland including a dedicated parenting website, residential breaks, employability support and support for young people with disabilities and their families.

T:  0141 550 9010 / 0300 123 2112 (Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm)
E:  ask.us@actionforchildren.org.uk 
W: https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/ 
      https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work-in-scotland/

  • HOME START – provide support for families in 32 local centres across Scotland. Services include free confidential advice, group support and financial advice.

T:  0131 281 0879 (Head Office) – regional offices available
E:  scotland@home-start.org.uk 
W: https://www.home-start.org.uk/find-your-nearest-home-start

  • PARENT NETWORK SUPPORT SCOTLAND – provide parenting programmes and training opportunities for all parents. PNS coordinate local support groups and run workshops across Scotland.

T:  0141 319 5181
E:  info@pns.org.uk  
W: https://www.parentnetworkscotland.com/

  • PARENTLINE SCOTLAND – a charity providing free confidential advice for parents and anyone caring for a child in Scotland

T:  0800 028 2233 (Mon to Fri 9am – 9pm, Sat to Sun 9am – noon)
E:  parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk 
W: www.children1st.org.uk/help-for-families/parentline-scotland

  • RELATIONSHIPS SCOTLAND – network providing family mediation, counselling services and child contact centres to families experiencing relationship issues at sites across Scotland.

T:  0345 119 2020 (Mon to Fri 9.30am – 4pm)
E:  enquiries@relationships-scotland.org.uk 
W: https://www.relationships-scotland.org.uk/

Parenting support for specific groups

  • CIRCLE – provide community-based support across Scotland for families affected by parental substance misuse, imprisonment and other challenges. Support includes 1:1 therapeutic support for young people, mentoring services and support groups.

T:  0131 552 0305    
E:  info@circle.scot  
W: https://circle.scot/

  • CRUSE SCOTLAND BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT – national helpline providing support and signposting to further free services for families experiencing bereavement. Locally run support groups and face-to-face support available at several locations across Scotland.

T:  0808 802 6161 (Mon to Fri 9am - 8pm, Sat to Sun 10am - 2pm)
E:  info@crusescotland.org.uk  
W: http://www.crusescotland.org.uk/

  • SANDS (Stillbirth and neonatal death charity) – support for anyone affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth.

T:  0808 164 3332
E:  helpline@sands.org.uk 
W: www.sands.org.uk

  • THE SCOTTISH COT DEATH TRUST – a charity dedicated to the sudden unexpected death of babies and young children.

T:  0141 357 3946
E:  contact@scottishcotdeathtrust.org  
W: www.scottishdeathtrust.org

  • FAMILIES OUTSIDE – provide free, confidential advice for families affected by imprisonment through national helpline and email service. They also provide face-to-face support including peer support and 1-1 support across Scotland.

T:  0800 254 0088
E:  support@familiesoutside.org.uk   
W: https://www.familiesoutside.org.uk/

  • KINSHIP CARE ADVICE SERVICE FOR SCOTLAND – advice and information about kinship care.

T:  0808 800 0006 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
E:  https://kinshipcarescotland.org.uk/contact-us 
W: www.kinshipcarescotland.org.uk

  • KINSHIP.SCOT – online resource providing advice and support for kinship carers. They also coordinate local support groups across Scotland.

T:  By region
W: http://kinship.scot/support/support-groups/

  • LGBT YOUTH SCOTLAND – provide local support groups for LGBT children and their families across Scotland as well as online information and advocacy.

E:  info@lgbtyouth.org.uk 
W: https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/

  • ONE PARENT FAMILIES SCOTLAND – national freephone helpline and email providing support for single parent families. They run local services across Scotland including financial advice, support groups and community day care.

T:  0808 801 0323 (Mon to Fri 9.30am – 4pm) 
E: advice@opfs.org.uk  
W: https://opfs.org.uk/who-we-are/local-services/

  • WORKING FAMILIES – national charity working to promote a family friendly working culture. They also run a helpline providing free legal advice for parents and carers.

T:  Helpline: 0300 012 0312 (Mon to Fri 11am – 2pm)
E:  https://workingfamilies.org.uk/contact-us-for-advice/ 
W: https://workingfamilies.org.uk/

  • SCOTTISH FAMILIES AFFECTED BY ALCOHOL AND DRUGS – free, confidential helpline available for those who have been affected by a loved one’s substance misuse. Other services available across Scotland include telehealth service, bereavement counselling and local support networks.

T:  08080 10 10 11 (Mon to Fri 9am – 11pm)
E:  helpline@sfad.org.uk 
W: https://www.sfad.org.uk

  • SHELTER SCOTLAND – housing advice for families experiencing housing issues. Shelter have a freephone helpline and community hubs in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow & Edinburgh.

T:  Helpline: 0808 800 4444 (Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm)
E:  webchat available online 
W: https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/

  • WHO CARES? SCOTLAND – advocacy group for care experienced children and their families offering services across Scotland.

T:  0330 107 7540 (Mon to Fri 12 noon – 4pm)
E:  help@whocaresscotland.org  
W: www.whocaresscotland.org

Mental health & wellbeing

  • BREATHING SPACE – confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.

T:  0800 83 85 87 (Mon to Thur 6pm-2am, Fri 6pm to Mon 6am)
W: https://breathingspace.scot/

  • THE SAMARITANS – confidential, non-judgemental, 24/7 phone and email support for those experiencing despair or distress.

T:  116 123
E:  jo@samaritans.org (response time: may take several days)
W: www.samaritans.org

  • CHANGE MENTAL HEALTH – provide local services for those in need of mental health support. Services include support groups, distress brief intervention and a money advice centre.  

T:  0808 8010 515 (Advice and Support Service)
E: advice@changemh.org 
W: www.changemh.org

Support for disabilities

  • CAPABILITY SCOTLAND – flexible care support for disabled people, their families and carers across the Central Belt & the Borders including care homes and support for independent living.

T:  0131 337 9876
W: http://www.capability-scotland.org.uk/

  • CARERS TRUST SCOTLAND – local care and carer services across Scotland including financial advice, carer support groups and support for carers of people with additional needs.

T:  0300 722 7701
E:  scotland@carers.org  
W: https://carers.org/section/help-advice

  • ENABLE – online support and information for families with disabled children. Local support groups and services available across 37 branches in Scotland.

T:  0300 0200 101 / 01698 737 000 (Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm)
E:  enabledirect@enable.org.uk 
W: https://www.enable.org.uk/

  • ENQUIRE – independent, impartial advice and information for parents and children about additional support for learning. Support provided via a helpline, email enquiry service, online resources and dedicated website for young people.

T:  Helpline: 0345 123 2303 (Mon to Fri 9am - 4.30pm) / 0131 313 8800 (Head Office)
E:  info@enquire.org.uk 
W: https://enquire.org.uk/

  • KINDRED – advocacy service for parents and carers of children with complex needs. Face-to-face support available in Edinburgh and Fife including parent support groups and financial support.

T:  0800 031 5793 (Mon to Fri 11am-3pm)
E:  enquiries@kindred-scotland.org  
W: http://www.kindred-scotland.org/

Financial advice

  • CITIZENS ADVICE SCOTLAND – offer face-to-face, free, confidential advice across 60 sites. Online self-help information and support and a free kinship care helpline.

T:  0808 800 9060 (Mon-Friday 9am-9pm, Sat 10am-2pm)
W: https://www.cas.org.uk/bureaux

  • MONEY TALK TEAM - enables low-income families to access the right financial advice that will help them make the most of their income.

T:  0800 085 7145
W: https://www.moneytalkteam.org.uk/