Help & Support for Families & Carers
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and on this page, we’ve put together a set of resources that can help you understand your rights and where you can go for help; whether you’re a mum, dad, single parent, kinship carer or a young parent.
If you feel like speaking to a non-judgmental, impartial voice, Parent Line Scotland runs a dedicated phoneline that you can call on 0800 0282 233. You can also email them at parentlinescotland@children1st.org.
Parenting Across Scotland also has a comprehensive set of resources for parents and carers on their website, with advice on everything from online safety to fun ideas for play.
Lone Parents
Looking after a young person on your own can be especially daunting, whether you’re a young parent, a kinship carer, going through separation or experiencing bereavement. If this sounds like you, there are several organisations that can help you better understand your rights and responsibilities.
The Lone Parent Helpline provides support and advice to people raising a child on their own and can be contacted for free on 0800 801 0323. They also run One Parent Families Scotland, which has comprehensive advice and information on everything from employment rights to money management for lone parents.
Gingerbread is a charity that provides expert advice and practical support for single parent families. Their website offers advice on everything from your entitlements to benefits after a separation to how best to bring a new partner into your family’s life.
Kinship Carers
Are you a grandparent, aunt, uncle or family friend who’s caring for a young person because their natural parents can’t look after them? If so, you are a kinship carer. Your rights and responsibilities as a kinship carer can be complex. It’s important to get the right advice and know where to look for practical and financial support.
Kinship.scot is the national kinship care website for Scotland, and offers comprehensive resources and advice for kinship carers. They have a database of kinship care support groups around Scotland, where you can meet and chat to other carers in your local area.
Mentor have produced the Kinship Care Guide for Scotland, which is a vital resource for carers and those that work with them.
The charity Children 1st also run a dedicated Kinship Care Service, which you can call on 0800 0282233, text on 07860 022844 or at parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk.
Citizens Advice Scotland has a dedicated kinship care website, and a confidential Kinship Care Helpline, which is free to call from landlines and mobiles on 0808 800 0006.