News

Edinburgh is feeling Autumnal and schools have reopened after the long summer break.

If you need further support contact 

supportingparentsandcarers@edinburgh.gov.uk 

Edinburgh Family Support Partnership (EFSP) – Umbrella Hubs. This new service provides early help within local communities where families can access a range of services to support their family’s needs. All families also have free access to wrap around support from the Children First support line, where they can also receive financial wellbeing support and guidance.

To access the EFSP-Umbrella Hubs families can simply pop along to one of our hubs (please see QR code) or they can give the Children first Support line a call or use the web chat function where support can be provided, if further assistance is needed families will be connected into the EFSP – Umbrella Hubs.  See leaflet here

Support for Families

Check out the other Support for families webpages for lots of other supports and activities provided by different organisations throughout the year.

Being a parent can be stressful at times. With the seasons changing and the lighter nights, it’s a great time to focus on boosting our wellbeing. If you could do with a little help to get that extra ‘Spring’ in your step, visit the Mental health and wellbeing webpages.

For supporting children and young people with Mental Health and wellbeing, visit the Wellbeing webpages.

If you need any help finding support for you or your child, please email supportingparentsandcarers@edinburgh.gov.uk

Triple P opportunities for parents and carers of children aged 6 – 10 years.

The Triple P programme supports parents and carers to explore strategies to manage common behaviours such as aggressiveness, tantrums, shouting, answering back and refusing to follow rules.

The course is delivered over 8 weekly sessions.  Parents and carers can apply directly Triple P Application

Valley Park Community Centre, 37 Southhouse Road, EH17 8EU. Wednesday 3 Sept– 29 Oct 10.00am – 12noon

Carrickvale Community Centre, 2 Saughton Mains Street, EH11 3HH.  Thursday 11 Sept– 5 Nov  10.00am – 12noon.

Castleview Primary School, 2D Greendykes Rd EH16 4DP Wednesday 17 Sept – 12 Nov    09.30am – 11.30am

Teen Triple P is a positive parenting programme suitable for parents and carers of pre-teen and teenagers 11-16 years. Teen Triple P can help parents and carers to cope positively with some of the common issues associated with raising a teenager

• build stronger relationships with their teenager
• resolve conflict in the family
• manage problem behaviour
• keep their teen stay safe

We welcome applications directly from parents and carers Applications can be made by completing our online application form found here https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/teentriplepform

Venue: Craigentinney Community Centre, 9 Loaning Rd, EH7 6JE Day: Tuesday Dates: 2/09, 9/09, 16/09, 23/09,  30/09, 7/10 (telephone session no group) 21/10 (telephone session no group) and 28/10                                Time: 9.45-11.45am

Venue: St Augustines High School, 208 Broomhouse Road, EH12 9AD Day: ThursdayDates: 2/10, 9/10, 23/10, 30/10, 6/11, 13/11 (telephone contact no group) , 20/11 (telephone contact no group) and 27/11Time: 6.00-8.00pm

Venue: Royston Wardieburn Community Centre    Day: Thursday Dates: 2/10,  9/10, 23/10, 30/10, 6/11, 13/11 (telephone contact no group) , 20/11 (telephone contact no group) and  27/11    Time: 12.30-2.30pm

Virtual Group

This group will be delivered on TEAMS, participants will require access to a laptop, tablet or pc to complete the course.  Day: Wednesday Dates: 8/10, 22/10, 29/10, 5/11, 12/11, 19/11(telephone contact no group), 26/11(telephone contact no group) and 3/12  Time: 6.00-8.00pm

If you require more information or you wish to discuss particular support needs please contact jill.coleman@edinburgh.gov.uk

Family Fund Applications are now open- for families with a child with disability .  See here for eligibility and how to apply.

New Edinburgh Disability and Neurodiversity Hub  click here to read their latest newsletter and find out what is available from March 25

See here for details about Kids Haven  play therapy for children where e a parent is dealing with Cancer or another long term health issue.

The Carers Trust have developed and launched a Toolkit for Parent/Carers with lots of information about how to look after yourself .  Download and use it from here

Triple P course for parents and carers of 6 – 10 years. This interactive course supports parents and carers to explore strategies to manage common behaviours such as aggressiveness, tantrums, shouting, answering back and refusing to follow rules. Delivered in group sessions with the support of trained facilitators.  

Applications can be made directly from parents and carers  Apply to attend a Primary Triple P course 

To find out more about the group parenting programmes visit Parenting Programmes in Edinburgh

See also info re courses for parents with children aged 3 – 5 years Incredible Years for 3 to 5 years | Instructions – The City of Edinburgh Council 

2025 Teen Triple P Parenting Groups

Teen Triple P is a positive parenting programme suitable for parents, carers and grandparents of pre-teen and teenage children. Teen Triple P can help parents and carers to:
• cope positively with some of the common issues associated with raising a teenager
• build stronger relationship with their teenager
• resolve conflict in the family
• manage problem behaviour
• help keep their teen stay safe

Applications can via the online application form https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/teentriplepform

If you require more information or you wish to discuss particular support need’s please contact jill.coleman@edinburgh.gov.uk 

Tel: 07860736129

Website with services and supports for families Support for families – The City of Edinburgh Council

Solihull Online courses for parents and carers with children 0-19+  https://inourplace.heiapply.com/online-learning/ enter access code TARTAN to register.

To find out more about group parenting programmes visit   Parenting Programmes in Edinburgh

The Gorgie Memorial Hall has a range of activities for parents and children, including Dads Rock at the weekends.  See their website for further information    https://gorgiemem.com

New Inclusive Youth Club for children aged 8 plus in Gorgie and Broomhouse – see details here

Groups for families with children with disabilites at Royston Wardieburn Commuity Centre on Saturdays 10am to 12noon – click here for further details.

Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic Mother’s Play and Chat Group- Craigentinny Community Centre, Wednesdays 12.30-2.30pm.  Run by MCFB and Homestart with support from the Health Visiting team, this group is a fun way for Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic mothers with young children who may be new to the area or feeling isolated to get to know other local families in a relaxed supportive environment. Mums can attend with their little ones or if their children are at nursery are also welcome to attend on their own. There is no need to book, families can just drop in. For more information on the group contact Vanja 07789 731888 or Dammy on 07562 792653 0r click here to see the flyer.

Parents Mind Well Sessions  – Mind Well sessions provide an opportunity for parents who are caring for a young person with emotional or mental health issues to gain information, support and meet other parents. Information on the upcoming Mind Well sessions are below-

NEW  Please see web page for details and information about a wide range of Warm and Welcoming places across Edinburgh               https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/warmandwelcoming

Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living are delivering a range of information and peer support sessions for carers – click  here for details and dates.

Information on Mental Health supports for children, young people and their parents and carers. 

Please see  information on a CBT counselling service delivered by Edinburgh Universities Centre for Psychological services. The service supports children and young people with an emotional difficulty, such as low mood or depression or who are experiencing anxiety.

We are delighted to share the first edition of  Parents Mind Well Roundup This quarterly newsletter shares the latest mental health news, activities and support available for children, young people, and their parents and carers in Edinburgh. All of the new Parents Mind Well support sessions will be listed in each edition. The newsletter will be sent by VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian) and parents can sign up by visiting the following page on their newsletter platform: Sign up to receive the Parents Mind Well Roundup newsletter

You will see in the Roundup, information about or next Parents Mind Well Sessions. These sessions have been planned in partnership with VOCAL, Health in Mind and The City of Edinburgh Council Parent and Carer Support Team. They provide an opportunity for parents and carers who are caring for a child or young person with emotional or mental health issues to meet other parents and supportive professionals in a safe and relaxed environment. Please note these sessions are for parents and carers not professionals.

Free webinars for parents and carers on children’s rights to additional support for learning. Enquire – the Scottish advice service for additional support for learning – are offering a programme of free webinars designed to help parents and carers feel informed when decisions are being made about their child’s education and support, and confident to work with the school to get the right support in place. To book a place visit Enquire

Edinburgh  Carers Assistance Fund  launched July 2022 – see details and how to apply here

Access to Childminding Services – see details here

The National Museum of Scotland has some upcoming Relaxed Sessions on the first Sunday of every month. designed for anyone who may prefer a calmer museum experience or might benefit from a little extra support when visiting.  Friendly staff will be there  welcome and support your visit, as you explore the museum without noisy interactives and videos . Sensory resources (visual stories, a sensory map and sensory backpacks) and a quiet space are also available. Please note that this event is during regular opening times and unfortunately numbers can’t be restricted.

Website: Relaxed Opening Hour (nms.ac.uk)

Facebook event: Relaxed Morning | Facebook

Website: Exhibitions & Events at National Museums Scotland (nms.ac.uk)

Free Activities for families with Children  with ASD on Saturday mornings – see flyer for details

Family Support Group – for family and friends of anyone affected by addiction. New group meets on Mondays  – see flyer for further information.

Peer support for Parent / Carers who have a young person 11 -25 experiencing mental health issues 

De-escalation Strategies Info sheet

Parent /Carer Info

Please see  fantastic resources which have been developed by the CAMHS Early Intervention Team to help parents  support their child or teenager with anxiety.

The supports available include-

• Access to recorded two part information session webinars- Understanding Anxiety and Supporting your child with anxiety
• Access to two online module courses for parents based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)- Supporting your Child with Anxiety and Supporting your Teenager with Anxiety.

Both courses allow parents to work through the course at their own pace, they are most suitable for parents looking to support their young person with worry and anxiety, while learning helpful strategies to manage their own anxieties. These modules are available via the platform Silvercloud. Sign up is free using the access code Lothian.

Information on some great apps which are available for free across NHS Scotland for people 16+ on Sleep and Anxiety, and other useful websites and books.

A link to the adult mental health website – Home – Wellbeing Lothian

Information on other supports for families can be found at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/supportforfamilies

Tips and strategies  for managing anxiety and worry

Preparing Parents and Carers in Scotland for Transition

Contact, an organisation for families and carers with disabled children, have  run workshops, development sessions and focus groups involving more than 200 families during a 2-year project. The ‘Talking About Tomorrow’ website  was created in partnership with parents across Scotland to bring together the information families said they need.   Visit their website to find out more.

Smart Play Network

Have a look at their Play Ideas videos on YouTube. There are so many interesting and fun things to do you won’t know where to begin! You can find out how to make anything from a bird feeder to a wind twirler and also learn how to cook by a candle!

Edinburgh Project SEARCH

Helps people with disabilities who want to work full-time. If you are 16–24 years old and living in Edinburgh, it could be for you.

Tel: 0131 529 3139
Email: project.search@edinburgh.gov.uk
Please see the leaflet for further information.

 The Drop In

A city-wide fun packed activity for families with a child/young person aged 0 – 18 years old with a disability and their siblings who live in Edinburgh.

This is an Edinburgh Council service and is taking place in 4 local community centres across Edinburgh every Saturday for 2 hours. Please see the website for further details.

Scottish Autism A new programme has been launched for parents of children with autism. Find out more on the Scottish Autism website.

Feniks A Polish organisation which runs a group for mothers and toddlers called ‘New Mums Get Together’. They meet at Tynecastle High School Community Wing on Wednesdays 2pm – 4pm.

If you would like to attend, please contact karolina.oling@gmail.com or elwiraagorna@gmail.com. See the Feniks website for information in Polish.

Upward Mobility works with young people transitioning into adulthood to promote self-confidence, creative expression and the building of friendships. They provide an extensive range of workshops and activities.

Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living

CarersNet Edinburgh and Lothian

Keys for Learning provide ABA assessment and programmes for families in Scotland.

ABA Scotland provide ABA assessment and programmes for families in Scotland.

Turn2us Edinburgh Trust is a potential source of funding for individuals/families in Edinburgh.

Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Family Grants are for families facing financial hardship while caring for a child with a serious illness. They provide support to help families cope, from respite breaks and counselling to hospital travel expenses.