Parents’/carers’ views and use of Early Learning and Childcare: Sources of Support

Being a parent isn’t always easy. If you’re looking for information or advice, there are a range of organisations that support families in Scotland. This leaflet has been put together by ScotCen to provide you with some services and telephone numbers which you may find useful.

General parenting support

• PARENT CLUB – offers a wide range of advice, from information about being pregnant, to parenting teenagers. Their family support directory provides contact details for organisations offering support with all aspects of family life, including parenting support, peer support, counselling and bereavement support.
  W: https://www.parentclub.scot/family-support-directory
• ACTION FOR CHILDREN – provides 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 – provides 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 – provides 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
• CONTACT SCOTLAND - Provides support, advice and a listening service for parents of children with disabilities.
  T:  0808 808 3555 (Mon to Fri 9.30am – 5pm) 
  W: https://contact.org.uk/scotland/
• 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/ 

Health & wellbeing

• NHS INFORM – provides a co-ordinated, single source of quality assured health and care information for the people of Scotland. 
  T: 0800 22 44 88
  W: www.nhsinform.scot 

  The NHS 111 service provides urgent care advice and mental health support day or night.

  W: www.nhs24.scot 

• CHANGE MENTAL HEALTH – provides 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
• 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/