Useful Links – Scotland

PAC-UK

Offers counselling, advice and information to anyone affected by adoption.

National PAC-UK Advice Line: 0300 1800 090
Website: https://www.pac-uk.org

TACT

TACT is the UK’s largest charity and voluntary agency providing fostering and adoption services. They campaign on behalf of children and young people in care, carers, their families and adoptive families.

Telephone: 0330 123 2250
Website: https://www.tactcare.org.uk

The Fostering Network

UK-wide membership charity for those with a personal or professional interest in fostering. It’s services include information and advice, practical support, publications and training. It also works for high standards in foster care. It provides a helpline for members (details on the website).

Fosterline Scotland: 0141 204 1400
Website: https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/

Just For Kids Law

Offers support to children and young people with using direct casework to help them to overcome their problems, and use evidence from their practice to campaign for wider reform.

Telephone: 0203 174 2279
Email:enquiries@justforkidslaw.org 
Website: https://justforkidslaw.org

Child Bereavement UK

Helps children and young people, parents, and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.

Helpline: 0800 0288 840
Website: https://www.childbereavementuk.org

Childline is run by the NSPCC

The free helpline for children and young people in the UK who are in distress and danger or who have other problems.

Free Helpline: 0800 1111
Website: https://www.childline.org.uk

Ivision Trust

Ivison Trust (formerly Pace) works to keep children safe from exploitation by supporting their parents, disrupting the offenders and working in partnership with police and family services.

Email: Contact form
Website: https://ivisontrust.org.uk/for-parents/

Kidscape

Dedicated to preventing bullying and child abuse. Provides advice and information, resources and training for professionals.

Parents advice line: 07496 682785
Email: parentsupport@kidscape.org.uk
Website: https://www.kidscape.org.uk

NSPCC

Specialises in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC Helpline provides advice and support to adults who are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child. Provides services in several languages, and also for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Free Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Website: https://www.nspcc.org.uk

Stop it now

The Stop It Now! helpline is an anonymous and confidential service available to anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse, including: Adults worried about the behaviour of other adults or children and young people: Those worried about their own sexual thoughts or behaviour towards children, including those with concerns about their online behaviour: Friends and relatives of people arrested for sexual offending, including internet offending: Any other adult with a concern about child sexual abuse – including survivors and professionals.

Helpline:  0808 100 090
Website: https://www.stopitnow.org.uk

We Stand (MOSAC)

We Stand provides supportive services in a safe and non-judgemental environment for non-abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused.

Free Helpline: 0800 980 1958
Email: support@westand.org.uk
Website: https://westand.org.uk/

Carers UK

UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to parents of all disabled children.

Free Helpline: 0808 808 3555
Email: advice@carersuk.org
Website: https://www.carersuk.org

Contact a Family

UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to parents of all disabled children.

Free Helpline: 0808 808 3555
Email: helpline@contact.org.uk
Website: https://contact.org.uk/

Contact Scotland

Advice and support for families with disabled children. They have a helpline, online enquiry form and useful online information and they can sign post families to local support groups.

Free Helpline: 0808 808 3555
Email: Contact form

Disability Law Service

The Disability Law Service provides legal advice and access to justice for disabled people. They can provide free advice via information, factsheets, training courses and telephone and written advice on the following matters: Community Care Law, Employment and discrimination at work, Housing and Welfare benefits.

Telephone: 020 7791 9800
Email: advice@dls.org.uk
Website: https://dls.org.uk

Disability, pregnancy and parenthood international (DPPI)

Organisation controlled by disabled parents that promotes better awareness and support for disabled people during pregnancy and as parents. Information and online communities are on the website. Also for families, professionals and interested others.

Email: info@dppi.org.uk

Equality & Human Rights Commission

Government body that works to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society. Gives information and guidance on discrimination and human rights.

Website: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com

Family & Trust

The Family Fund gives grants to low-income families in the UK to meet the additional needs of caring for a severely disabled child.

Helpline: 01904 550055
Website: https://www.familyfund.org.uk

Mencap

Mencap is a UK learning disability charity working with people with learning disabilities and their families and carers.

Telephone: 020 7454 0454
Email: information@mencap.org.uk
Website: https://www.www.mencap.org.uk

National Autistic Society

Charity to champion the rights and interests of all people with autism and to ensure that they and their families receive quality services appropriate to their needs.

Telephone: 020 7833 2299
Email: nas@nas.org.uk
Website: https://www.autism.org.uk

Newbold Hope

Parent-led organisation working with families and professionals
in reducing anxiety-led difficult and dangerous behaviour in children with additional needs or disability.
It was formerly known as The SEND VCB Project.

Website: https://www.newboldhope.com/contact

Working Together with Parents Network (WTPN)

This network supports professionals working with parents with learning difficulties and learning disabilities and their children. It provides a UK-wide network for professionals sharing positive practice including four regional groups in England and country-wide networks in Scotland and Wales.

Website: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/wtpn/resources/

Counselling Directory

Helpful information section on domestic abuse on website. The directory is a resource hub which enables individuals struggling with their emotional well-being to find a qualified and insured counsellor. Also share free advice and guidance from counsellors through their blog. List counselling organisations and charities who offer free or low concession counselling.

Website: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/domestic-violence.html#counsellingfordomesticabuse

Imkaan

Is a UK-based, Black feminist organisation dedicated to addressing violence against Black and minoritised women and girls. As a second-tier, human rights organisation, with national membership, Imkaan represents the expertise and perspectives of frontline specialist women’s services that work to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.

Website: https://www.imkaan.org.uk

Refuge

Supports women and children through a range of services, including refuges, independent advocacy, community outreach and culturally specific services. Refuge advocates for improvements to domestic violence policy and practice, and the implementation of legislation to meet the needs of abused women and children. It helps prevent domestic violence through campaigning, education, training and research.

Freephone 24 hour helpline: 0808 200 0247
Website: https://www.refuge.org.uk

Respect (Man)

They also run a Men’s Advice Line which provides advice and support to men experiencing domestic abuse and those supporting them.

Helpline: 0808 801 0327
Website: https://mensadviceline.org.uk

Respect (Woman)

Works with domestic violence perpetrators, male victims and young people. Respect runs a helpline for men and women who are harming their partners.

Helpline: 0808 802 4040
Email: info@respectphoneline.org.uk
Website: https://respectphoneline.org.uk

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline

Support for anyone experiencing domestic abuse or forced marriage, as well as their family members, friends, colleagues and professionals who support them.

Helpline: 0800 027 1234
Text/WhatsApp: 07401288595
Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
Website: https://www.sdafmh.org.uk/en/

Scottish Women’s Aid

Lead organisation in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic abuse.

Helpline: 0800 027 1234
Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
Website: https://womensaid.scot

Shakti Women’s Aid

Help for black minority ethnic (BME) women, children and young people who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse.

Telephone: 0131 475 2399
Email: info@shaktiedinburgh.co.uk
Website: https://shaktiedinburgh.co.uk/

Latin American Women’s Rights Service

Advocates for women’s rights and migrant’s rights. It offers advice, advocacy, information and counselling services in a personalised, confidential and impartial manner. The service includes housing, money and debt management as well domestic violence support. All services are free and in Spanish and Portuguese.

Freephone: 0808 145 4909
Email: info@lawrs.org.uk
Website: https://www.lawrs.org.uk

Adfam

Helps families and carers living with drug or alcohol problems across the UK.

Website: https://adfam.org.uk

FRANK

FRANK is a drug and alcohol advice service. It provides information on its website about the impact of misuse of drugs and alcohol. This includes an A-Z of terms. Parents and carers in England can use the FRANK website to find details of local and national services that provide counselling and treatment for substance misuse.

Telephone: 0300 123 6600
Website: https://www.talktofrank.com

Scottish Families affected by Alcohol & Drugs

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs is a national charity which supports anyone affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug use in Scotland. They have a helpline, email enquiry service and a webchat facility.

Helpline:0808 010 1011
Email: helpline@sfad.org.uk
Website: https://www.sfad.org.uk/

Buttle UK

Provides emergency funding to people in need and grant funding to enable children to attend state boarding schools when they are very vulnerable. See their website for eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Website: https://www.buttleuk.org

Civil Legal Advice Education Law Line

Free legal advice on family, child and education law across England. It is run by the Coram Children’s Legal Centre and telephone advice is only available to people eligible for legal aid.

Website: https://www.childrenslegalcentre.com

ENQUIRE

Scottish Government funded service for the parents of children with additional support needs who may require support in relation to a dispute with an educational authority and have the right to make a reference to the Additional Support Needs Tribunal for Scotland (ASNTS) The service is also available to 16/17year olds with additional support needs.

Helpline: 0345 123 2303
Website: https://enquire.org.uk/

Let’s Talk ASN Scotland (Barnados)

Scottish Government funded service for the parents of children with additional support needs who may require support in relation to a dispute with an educational authority and have the right to make a reference to the Additional Support Needs Tribunal for Scotland (ASNTS) The service is also available to 16/17year olds with additional support needs.

Telephone: 0131 446 7000 or 0141 445 1955
Email: letstalkasn@edlaw.org.uk

Children Heard+Seen

Charity that supports children and families impacted by parental imprisonment. They offer Face to Face support to children and young people in the Thames Valley area and Zoom support in the rest of the country. Especially relevant for children and partners of adults convicted of sexual offences against children and they also offer support to carers of children bereaved through domestic homicide.

Telephone: 07557 339258
Email: info@childrenheardandseen.co.uk
Website: https://childrenheardandseen.co.uk/what-we-offer/

Families outside

Families Outside is a charity that works solely on behalf of families in Scotland affected by imprisonment. They have a helpline, email enquiry service and option to text them.

Telephone: 0800 254 0088 (helpline)
or text FAMOUT to 60777
Email: support@familiesoutside.org.uk
Website: https://www.familiesoutside.org.uk/families/

Talking Forward

Peer support for anyone whose adult family member has been investigated for an online sexual offence. They offer an initial call from one of their facilitators before signposting to available zoom or face to face peer groups.

Email:info@talkingforward.co.uk
Website: https://www.talkingforward.co.uk

Shore

Service for children/Young people under 18, to get help and support in relation to harmful sexual behaviours amongst young people (including online safety). They offer web chat and web enquiry.

Website: https://shorespace.org.uk/

Family Holiday Charity

Helps disadvantaged parents and children with holidays and other recreational provision.

Telephone: 0203 117 0650
Email: hello@familyholidaycharity.org.uk
Website: https://familyholidaycharity.org.uk/

Shelter

Shelter is a charity that works to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing.

Helpline: 0808 800 4444
Website: https://scotland.shelter.org.uk

Shelter Scotland

Housing and homelessness Advice for people in Scotland. They offer a telephone helpline and a webchat facility.

Helpline: 0808 800 4444
Website: https://scotland.shelter.org.uk

KIND UK

Free expert legal help to children, young people and their families without “secure immigration status” (undocumented) and no access to legal aid.

Online referral form: https://www.kidsinneedofdefense.org.uk/get-help/
Website: https://www.kidsinneedofdefense.org.uk/

Scottish Refugee Council

Direct support and advice services for refugees add people seeking asylum and their families in Scotland.
They also offer a direct support service (“Family Rights Service”) to children 0-18, who have recently entered asylum process, this includes pregnant women and single parents.

Helpline: 0808 1967 274
Email: families@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk
Website: https://scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/

Citizen Advice Scotland

Citizens Advice Bureau offers free, impartial advice, support and information on all matters to do with the law and your rights, including family issues.

Telephone: 0808 800 9060
Website: https://www.cas.org.uk

Coram Children’s Legal Centre

Part of Coram Family group, the Children’s Legal Centre is concerned with law and policy affecting children and young people. Many years of experience in providing legal advice and representation for children, their carers’ and professionals.

Website: https://www.childrenslegalcentre.com

Law Centres Network

The voice of local law centres which provide free independent advice and representation to disadvantaged people who live or work in their catchment area. The LCN does not employ lawyers and is unable to give advice directly to the public but the site will help you find a law centre nearest to you.

Website: https://www.lawcentres.org.uk

Law works

Website to search for legal clinics offering free legal advice to those not eligible for legal aid and can’t afford to pay a lawyer.

Website: https://www.lawworks.org.uk/legal-advice-individuals/find-legal-advice-clinic-near-you

Resolution

Organisation of solicitors committed to promoting a non-confrontational atmosphere in which family law matters are dealt with in a sensitive, constructive and cost-effective way. Pls see website for members in your area.

Website: https://resolution.org.uk

Scottish Child Law Centre

Free legal advice for and about children and young people.

Telephone: 0131 667 6333
Website: https://www.sclc.org.uk

Support through Court

Charity helping and providing support and information to people facing civil and family courts
without a lawyer. Several offices across the UK. See webpage for locations and individual contact details.  Appointment requests can be made via website using link below.

Website: https://www.supportthroughcourt.org/contact-us/

The Family Law Association

They offer a search engine for family lawyers in Scotland. Their website provides detailed information on matters relating to the Scottish courts and how they deal with family cases and general information relating to private law matters (divorce plans for children after separation, domestic abuse, etc.)

Website: https://www.familylawassociation.org

The Scottish Legal Aid Board

Advice on getting help with the cost of any legal proceedings.

Telephone: 0131 226 7061
Email: general@slab.org.uk
Website: https://www.slab.org.uk

Citizen Advice Scotland

Citizens Advice Bureau offers free, impartial advice, support and information on all matters to do with the law and your rights, including family issues.

Telephone: 0808 800 9060
Website: https://www.cas.org.uk

Andy’s Man Club

Men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. Aim to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. Find nearest support group via website.

Email: info@andysmanclub.co.uk
Website: https://andysmanclub.co.uk

Pandas Foundation UK

Support to any parent and their network around peri and postnatal mental illness. Various ways to contact them: phone, email, WhatsApp, social media. They also have face-to-face and online support groups.

Tel: 0808 1961 776
Email: info@pandasfoundation.org.uk

Samaritans

Provides confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.

Tel: 116 123
Email: Jo@samaritans.org
Website: https://www.samaritans.org

Young Minds

Committed to improving the mental health of all children and young people. Young Minds provides a telephone helpline service to parents and carers in the UK who have a concern about their child’s emotional problems or behaviour.

Tel: 0808 802 5544
Website: https://youngminds.org.uk

Breathing Space Scotland

Free confidential listening service for people over 16 in Scotland who are experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. They have a free telephone helpline.

Helpline:0800 83 85 87
Website: https://www.breathingspace.scot/

Carers and Disability

Check the government website below to see what you might be able to claim and who to ring.

Website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/disability

Child Benefit

You’ll usually get Child Benefit for children you’re responsible for. Only one person can receive Child Benefit for each child.

Telephone: 0300 200 3100
Calling from abroad: +44 161 210 3086

Child Maintenance

Government service that provides impartial information and support to help both parents make informed choices about child maintenance, and you can apply to them for statutory maintenance collection, for which they charge a fee, if required.

Telephone: 0800 171 2345
Website: https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance

Child Tax Credit

Child Tax Credit is another payment made by the government to help with the cost of bringing up a child.

Telephone: 0345 300 3900 Outside UK: +44 2890 538 192
Website: https://www.mygov.scot/get-help-money-child

Christians against poverty (CAP)

CAP offers Debt help, money coaching, assistance in job searches, life skills advice (live well on a low income). There is no faith requirement to access help and support.

Telephone: 01274 760720
Email: info@capuk.org
Website: https://capuk.org/get-help

Disability Living Allowance

DLA is ending for people who were born after 8 April 1948 and are 16 or over. You can only make a new DLA claim if you’re under 16. You’ll continue to get DLA until the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) writes to tell you about when it will end. The letter will invite you to apply for a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and tell you what to do next.

Website: https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-adult-disability-living-allowance

DWP – Personal Independence Payment claims

Tel: 0800 917 2222 Textphone: 0800 917 7777
Website: https://www.mygov.scot/personal-independence-payment-is-moving

Employment Support

Tel: 0800 328 5644 Textphone: 0800 023 1344

Fashion and Textile Children’s Trust

Charity offering grants for single parents and kinship carers’ who work/have worked in the Fashion & Textile industry for at least 1 year in the past 9 years.

Tel: 07753 605367
Email: marketing@ftct.org.uk
Website: https://www.ftct.org.uk/

Guardian’s Allowance

Tel: 0300 322 9080 Textphone: 0300 200 3103

Lightning Reach

For individuals who may be struggling financially. They may be eligible to apply for financial support such as grants, local schemes and discounted tariffs. The secure Lightning Reach portal allows to find and apply for support from multiple providers, quickly and easily. Professionals can apply on behalf of their clients.

Web enquiry form: https://www.lightningreach.org/contact
Website: https://www.lightningreach.org/application-portal

National Debtline

Tel: 0808 808 4000

Pensions Advice

Has information about different contact numbers depending on your query.

Pension Credit Telephone:0800 99 1234
Textphone: 0800 169 01332

Turn2Us

Turn2Us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. They provide information about benefits and grants via a webform.

Website: https://www.turn2us.org.uk

Universal Credit

Universal Credit has replaced a majority of benefits. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus or Tax Credits office who will tell you when you have to move to Universal Credit.

Universal Credit Helpline: 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Website: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Working Tax Credit

Helpline: 0345 300 3900
Outside UK: +44 2890 538 192

Child/Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA)

Directory map provides information and contact details of services in the UK who support parents and carers who are experiencing violence and abuse from their children or the children they care for.

Website: https://www.respectyps.org.uk/directory

Children 1st Parent line

A helping hand for every family in Scotland. As a charity theY offer emotional, practical, and financial support to help families to put children first and campaign to uphold the rights of every child. They do have a telephone helpline open 7 days a week and a web chat facility.

Helpline: 0800 0282233
Website: https://www.children1st.org.uk

Families Need Fathers

Provides information and support to parents and carers of either sex. Is chiefly concerned with maintaining a child’s relationship with both parents following family breakdown.

Helpline: 0300 0300 363
Email: admin@fnf.org.uk
Website: https://fnf.org.uk

Family and Childcare Trust

A centre of expertise on families, parenting and day care in the UK, the Trust carries out research and policy work and works to inform policymakers and public debate, develops practice resources to promote the well-being of families and manages the network of local Family Information Services.

Email: info@familyandchildcaretrust.org
Website: https://www.familyandchildcaretrust.org

Home-Start UK

Trains volunteer parents to provide support to parents and carers who are struggling and looking after at least one child under five. Home-Start is available in nearly all parts of the UK. You can find your local Home-Start through the website.

Website: https://www.home-start.org.uk

Maternity Action

Provides free advice, training and support to pregnant women, new mothers and their families on work, benefits and health care issues. Telephone advice line, email advice form and comprehensive online information including advice sheets.

Online advice form: https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice-form/
Website: https://maternityaction.org.uk

Netmums

Online parenting organisation providing help and support on all aspects of family life. Links to local Netmums sites provide information and support in your area.

Website: http://www.netmums.com

Relationships Scotland

Service for parents to help them to agree their own arrangements for their children through meetings with a family mediator. Grandparents and other family members can use family mediation to address issues between them about their children. They provide information about child contact centres and where to find them. They also offer relationship counselling.

Tel: 0345 119 2020
Website: https://www.relationships-scotland.org.uk

RYPS

Service directory with information and contact details of services in the UK providing support to parents and carers experiencing violence and abuse from their children or the children they care for.

Website: https://www.respectyps.org.uk/directory

Single Parent Action Network (SPAN)

SPAN is an organisation aiming to empower one parent families throughout the UK. It provides on-line services to single parents through a dedicated website.

Website: http://www.singleparents.org.uk/parenting

The Fatherhood Institute

Provides the UK information centre on fatherhood through newsletters, training information, policy updates, research summaries and guides.

Website: http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org

Relate

UK’s largest provider of relationship counselling, sex therapy and other relationship services. To find your local service look at their website.

Website: https://www.relate.org.uk

The Traveller Movement

Information and support for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller women. Their aim is for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller women to feel aware of their legal rights, options and local available supports.

Telephone: 020 7607 2002
Email: info@travellermovement.org.uk
Website: https://travellermovement.org.uk

Youth Access

The national membership organisation for services providing young people’s information, advice, counselling and support across the UK. A directory on the website helps young people, carers and professionals identify local services.

Telephone: 020 8772 9900
Email: admin@youthaccess.org.uk
Website: https://www.youthaccess.org.uk

Hourglass

Hourglass work across the UK to enable safer aging and stopping elder abuse. Services include 24/7 helpline, email, text and live chat.

24/7 Helpline: 0808 808 841
Website: https://www.wearehourglass.org

Valla

Online tool to help people with employment complaints and tribunals. There is a charge for services ranging from £10 for a grievance document to £96 for a claims document.

Website: https://valla.uk