Caring for a child with a disability, illness, or additional support needs brings its own unique challenges.
Whether you are navigating education and childcare options, or negotiating the transition to adult services, being a parent carer can be complex regardless of your child’s age. We offer support for parent carers of both adults and children.
How we can help
We offer a range of services to help you cope with the impact of your caring role.
One-to-one support
Our experienced Carer Support Practitioners can speak with you in person or over the phone. They will explore your situation and tailor their support, depending on the condition of the person that you care for. Contact VOCAL to arrange a meeting, or if you aren’t registered with us yet, then complete a referral form.
Peer mentoring
Our peer mentors are volunteers with their own experiences of different caring roles, including supporting parent carers You can have regular one-to-one meetings with your peer mentor, who will share information and advice from their own experiences.
Please note, our peer mentoring service is only available in Edinburgh.
Support groups
Parent peer support group
Midlothian parent carer cuppa
Parent carers of adults peer support group
Midlothian parent peer support Facebook group
Parents carewell group
BEMAS Carers Group
Sibling carers
If other children in the family spend time caring for a sibling with a disability or long-term illness, then they may also be eligible for support.
It can be hard for children and young people to identify themselves as carers, especially if adults in the family also take on some of the responsibility. VOCAL supports carers aged 18 or over. We can also sometimes support younger carers, for example if you:
- Have left school or don’t receive carer support from your school
- Don’t have access to support from a young carer organisation
- Feel ready to move into adult carer support services
Local Edinburgh services
Edinburgh Council
Explore Edinburgh Council’s resources for parents of children with ASN, including peer support groups, parent courses, and accessible family activities.
EDAN Hub
The Edinburgh Disability and Neurodiversity Hub provides support for families of disabled and neurodivergent children in Edinburgh.
Additional Support for Learning Service
The Additional Support for Learning Service supports families to play a key role in the education and wellbeing of their children and young people with additional support needs.
Edge Group
Based in Musselburgh, Edge Group Scotland delivers specialist transition programmes for autistic young adults across the Lothians, and those with other additional support needs (ASN).
Advocacy
If you need help navigating systems or making your voice heard, an advocacy service might be able to help.
Umbrella hubs
Umbrella Hubs provide a range of local services for families, including: relationship support, health and wellbeing advice, access to food and financial wellbeing, and opportunities in your community.
Local services in Edinburgh and Midlothian
The Action Group
The Action Group run groups such as school holiday clubs and day services, and provide advice on housing, transitioning from child to adult services, and more.
The Parent Club
Access advice on a variety of parenting-related issues.
Capability Scotland
Explore the selection of day and holiday hubs throughout Edinburgh, providing fun and meaningful activities for disabled children and adults.
Advocacy
If you need help navigating systems or making your voice heard, an advocacy service might be able to help.
Funding:
Caring for a child can impact your household finances. There are funds and grants available which can help alleviate this pressure. Explore what’s available in your area and find out what you might be eligible for:
