Helplines for parents

Sometimes if you have a problem, it can help to talk to someone. Helplines offer support and a listening ear.

Below you'll find a list of useful phonelines offering support and advice for parents, carers and families in Scotland. Phone charges vary but none are premium rate. Some are free from a landline.

 

Additional Support for Learning 0345 123 2303

Enquire can help anybody with a question about additional support for learning. So whether you’re a mum, dad, grandparent, foster carer, new teacher, speech and language therapist, youth worker, or pupil they can help.

They have an advice for parents section and a resources section for handy guides and factsheets including 'The parents’ guide to additional support for learning.'

Open: Mon to Fri, 9am to 4.30pm

Email Enquire at: info@enquire.org.uk

(landlines charged at local rate, mobile charges vary)

Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87

Feeling down, depressed, worried or anxious and need to talk to someone during the evening or night call Breathing Space.

Open: Mon to Fri, 6pm-2am; weekends 6pm-6am

(free from a landline, mobile charges vary)

Contact - For families with disabled children 0808 808 3555

Offers information, advice and support to parents and carers of children with any special need or disability. 

Families Outside - support for prisoners' families 0800 254 0088

Text service available 60777 text FAMOUT then your message

Email Families Outside at: support@familiesoutside.org.uk

When a partner or relative goes to prison, it can be a very difficult time. The Families Outside Support & Information helpline is the only Scottish-based helpline that helps and supports families who have any questions or concerns, linking them directly to locally-based services.

(free from a landline, mobile charges vary)

Financial health check (Citizens Advice Scotland ) 0800 085 7145

Free and confidential financial health check and advice for families in Scotland to help with reducing household bills and maximising income.

Lone Parent Helpline 0808 801 0323

Lone Parent online chat service

For any single parent needing information or advice, including personalised benefit calculations, information about returning to work and childcare, factsheets and local sources of help. Open: Mon to Fri 9.30am-4.00pm

(free from a landline, mobile charges vary)

ParentLine Scotland 0800 028 2233

Parentline is for anyone caring for or concerned about a child.

Whatever affects your family, you can talk it over with Parentline. 

Parentline is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year:

Monday to Friday, from 9am-9pm

Saturday and Sunday, from 9am-12noon

Samaritans 116 123

Emotional support, for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. Open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

(all calls are free)

Scottish Child Law Centre 0131 667 6333

Solicitors will be providing advice and information about children's rights and child law in Scotland remotely.  If you would like to receive such information from us please e-mail Scottish Child Law Centre at advice@sclc.org.uk. 

Gives advice on all aspects of Scottish law relating to the rights of children and young people, including parental rights and responsibilities, contact and residence, children's hearings and education. Open: Mon to Fri, 9.30am-4pm

(landlines charged at standard rate, mobile charges vary)

Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 027 1234

Phone the Scottish domestic abuse helpline for information and support. Calls are answered by women with training in all aspects of domestic abuse.

Records of calls will not appear on phone bills.

Open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

(free from a landline, mobile charges vary)

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs 08080 10 10 11

A free confidential Helpline – 08080 10 10 11

email the helpline@sfad.org.uk which provides listening support and advice to anyone concerned about someone else’s alcohol or drug use. The Helpline is available Monday – Friday between 9am and 11pm and Saturday and Sunday between 5pm and 11pm.

The Relationship Helpline 0808 802 2088

The Relationship Helpline offers a warm human voice, providing experienced, confidential support to help talk through your problems and worries. Relationships are not always easy and it can be good to talk.

Open: 9am-8pm Monday to Thursdays and Friday 9am-5pm

(free from a landline and mobile)

Working Families 0300 012 0312

Helps working parents and carers find information about employment rights, benefits, parental leave and maternity discrimination.

(free for landlines and mobiles)

Young Minds 0808 802 5544

Worried about a child or young person's mental health? Young Minds provides comprehensive online information and advice. If you want to talk to one of their advisors call the helpline on 0808 802 5544

Helpline open Mon - Fri 9.30am to 4pm

Brothers
  • Our full list of organisations who have useful helplines for families
  • More helplines