I am a parent

You can get help from any employability service but there are also specific projects in Edinburgh that support parents to move towards work, sustain their job, or access training or education.

CHILDMINDER RECRUITMENT - SCMA

The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA), with funding from the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government, is recruiting 30 new childminders across Edinburgh right now. The project provides a fantastic package of fully-funded support and training for successful applicants, providing everything needed to establish a new childminding business.

Website: www.edinburghguarantee.org/support-job-seekers/childminder-recruitment

ACCESS DATA – ACCESS TO INDUSTRY

Access Data supports Edinburgh parents in gaining knowledge and skills related to the world of data. Their goal is to help prepare you for the demands of the contemporary job market. A caseworker will support you to tackle your barriers and to move towards education, training or sustainable employment. The support takes into account your work preferences and family responsibilities. Access Data is funded through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Website: https://accesstoindustry.co.uk/services-for-adults/access-data

ACCESS PROGRESS – ACCESS TO INDUSTRY

Access Progress supports unemployed parents and people with parental responsibilities into employment. They work with parents to identify the challenges they face moving into employment. A caseworker will support you to tackle barriers and move towards education, training or sustainable employment. The support takes into account your work preferences and family responsibilities. Access Progress is funded through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Website: https://accesstoindustry.co.uk/services-for-adults/access-progress

WORKSPACE – THE BROOMHOUSE CENTRE

WorkSpace helps parents and those with parental responsibilities. They can help you get a job or advance your career to secure better conditions and pay. The project provides a range of support including:

one-to-one support sessions
Employability training and advice
Knowledge and skills development
Benefits and welfare advice to maximize your income and access childcare.

Workspace is funded through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Phone: 07566 796227

Email: kerry@spacescot.org

Website: www.spacescot.org

BAMELYTICS – THE DATAKIRK

BAMELYTICS targets black and minority ethnic parents with a child under 18 who either have migrant status or live in communities most affected by the pandemic. Many in these communities lost their jobs during the pandemic, or had their hours reduced, leading to financial difficulty. The project offers an introduction to data science for business through hands-on activities. It will introduce you to the exciting opportunities available at the intersection of Data Science, computing, and mathematics.

Bamelytics is funded through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Phone: 07735 860694

Email: fash.fasoro@thedatakirk.org.uk

Website: www.thedatakirk.org.uk

MAKING WORK WORK - FOR EDINBURGH WOMEN

Making Work Work – for Edinburgh Women is an innovative programme for women living in the City of Edinburgh Council area. It is fully funded and free of charge for eligible women. It will help women re-enter the workplace or progress on from work where they are not working at the level, salary or hours at which they are capable.

This programme is offered in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Website: www.makingworkwork.scot/edinburgh

ALL IN EDINBURGH - EMPLOYABILITY & INCOME MAXIMISATION

All in Edinburgh provide one-to-one employability support for disabled parents. They help you to build an action plan and support you to progress towards work at your own pace. They can also support you to sustain a job.

Into Work, who are part of All in Edinburgh, are providing income maximisation workshops and one-to-one support for parents, tailored to each of the organisations within the DPESF programme.

All in Edinburgh for Parents is funded through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Website: http://allinedinburgh.org.uk

ONE PARENT FAMILIES SCOTLAND - CHILDCARE ADVICE SERVICE

One Parent Families Scotland is running a new Childcare Advice Service. As well as holding information about the availability and funding for a wide variety of pre-school and wraparound childcare, one-to-one support is provided to help you navigate the childcare landscape, make decisions that are right for you, and feel confident about the transition. The Childcare Advice Service is funded through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Website: https://opfs.org.uk

HOME START - FAMILY SUPPORT

Home Start provide one-to-one support and group work activities for families. They are delivering group initiatives lasting 6 weeks to parents in the North East, South East, and South West areas of Edinburgh. Group session content will be dependent on the needs of families but may involve PEEP – an early education parenting initiative, baby massage, parent-baby bonding, or peer support group work.

Home Start will support parents to access other services in order to progress toward their employment goals where this is the right thing for them.

Home Start are receiving funding through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Website: www.homestartedinburgh.org.uk

LIFT - FAMILY SUPPORT

LIFT will provide family support, including supporting people with first steps towards reducing barriers to employment. Support will be around topics such as budgeting, better-off benefit calculations, housing and benefit advice, confidence, and self-esteem building.

A First Steps to Employment workshop will also be delivered with a creche provided alongside for children. The funds provided also allow for a discretionary fund to support parents who are starting work to pay for travel and for their first month of childcare.

LIFT are receiving funding through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Website: www.lift-edinburgh.com

STEPPING STONES NORTH EDINBURGH - FAMILY SUPPORT

Stepping Stones will provide a 16-week course for parents who are impacted by disability including poor mental health. During the course, you will be supported to achieve an SQA Employability award. The course will consist of weekly 2-hour sessions plus two full days and support will also be offered to complete 10 hours of volunteering within the community.

Stepping Stones are receiving funding through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Website: www.steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk

PASSION4FUSION - FAMILY SUPPORT

Passion4Fusion support disabled parents from ethnically diverse families to progress towards employment. One-to-one support will offer help with the very early stages of progression, including routine management, motivation, and confidence, as well as language and communication skills.

Passion4Fusion help you connect to mainstream services where this is helpful. Support will be culturally appropriate. Where appropriate, you will be encouraged to work towards voluntary roles or paid employment.

Passion4Fusion are receiving funding through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Website: www.passion4fusion.com

CIRCLE SCOTLAND - FAMILY SUPPORT

Circle are working with SHE Scotland and Edinburgh College to run two Ambassador programmes for parents and carers. The programme will be run in two different locations in North and East Edinburgh.

Each course will accommodate up to ten parents. The aims of the course are to support life skills to help you make appropriate and informed choices and become ready, equipped, and confident to enter the world of work and/or volunteering. You will be supported to identify a wide range of high-quality employment, training, and further education opportunities.

Circle Scotland are receiving funding through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Circle Scotland website: https://circle.scot/

SHE Scotland website: www.shescotland.org.uk

PROJECT ESPERANZA - FAMILY SUPPORT

Project Esperanza will provide ethnically diverse families with an enhanced offer of both one-to-one support and group work provision to women with physical and mental health conditions. The support will increase motivation and confidence and enable first steps to employment, as well as providing a supportive environment for those taking early steps towards communicating in English and building confidence to pursue work or education.

For those who are ready, sessions will cover CVs and cover letters, college course applications, job searches, interviews, and workplace skills, as well as mentoring to explore business skills and ideas.

You will also get one-to-one support to explore the world of work, education and training. The support will always take into account health, disability and caring responsibilities.

Project Esperanza are receiving funding through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Website: https://projectesperanza.org.uk

SAHELIYA - FAMILY SUPPORT & TRAINING

Saheliya support the mental health and well-being of women experiencing racial inequality. If you are looking to progress into employment, training or education, they can help. The support includes culturally-informed, trauma-aware learning and training for those furthest from the job market.

A second training course "Access2safety" will be offered to 20 women. Access2safety is a training programme providing the foundation for women in the existing service user group to progress to become language support or case workers at Saheliya or beyond, or/and to become employed sessionally in Saheliya’s Access2safety language support social enterprise.

Saheliya are receiving funding through the Parental Employment Support Fund (PESF). This is a Scottish Government fund which is managed by local authorities to provide employability support for parents both in and out of work.

Website: www.saheliya.co.uk

OTHER SUPPORT FOR PARENTS

MAXIMISE! EARLY YEARS

Maximise! Early Years provide an all-round service to families using Early Years Centres. They can help to maximise your income, reduce debt, resolve housing issues and gain employment. They also aim to help improve relationships, increase confidence, support wellbeing, and increase community links.

Website: www.chaiedinburgh.org.uk/our-services/advice/maximise

You can speak to staff in your Early Years Centre, phone CHAI on 0131 442 2100 or email Maximise@children1st.org.uk

MORE OPTIONS

As well as the projects listed here, there are many others that can help you reach your goals.

View the Find a Service directory for full details of all the services that are available.