Parental Employability Support projects
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. You can contact the Parental Employability Support service or any of the projects listed below.
ACCESS TO INDUSTRY - ACCESS DATA
Access Data supports you if you're an unemployed parent who can identify with any of the following: you have a disabled child or a disability yourself; you are from a minority ethnic background; your youngest child is under one; you are returning to work after a break. You will learn about the data industry sector through a range of mechanisms, to begin your personal journey to becoming a data citizen and ultimately a data worker. You will find out about what data is and how it is used in education and work settings. Your knowledge and confidence will build and you will learn basic data skills at the same time.
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.
Phone: 0131 260 9721 or Email: magdagucman@accesstoindustry.co.uk
Website: https://accesstoindustry.co.uk/services-for-adults/access-data
ACCESS TO INDUSTRY - ACCESS PROGRESS
Access Progress supports you if you're an unemployed parent who can identify with any of the following: you have a disabled child or a disability yourself; you are from a minority ethnic background; your youngest child is under one; you are returning to work after a break. You will learn new skills to help you move forward on your own journey, ultimately to find meaningful work but at your own pace. There will be a focus on removing the barriers you face in moving forward, tools to aid your wellbeing and different approaches will be used to help you progress with learning about the services available to you. Sessions are held in a place of safety for you, e.g. a room at the school.
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.
Phone: 0131 260 9721 or Email: helenmurray@accesstoindustry.co.uk
Website: https://accesstoindustry.co.uk/services-for-adults/access-progress
BARNARDO’S – BRIGHT FAMILY FUTURES
Bright Family Futures supports you as a parent of a young person who is involved with Barnardo's, as well as wider members of your family. The programme supports you to progress along the journey to finding meaningful work, using a tailored approach to individual needs. This will take the form of weekly contact (5+ hours) combining 1:1 support, working in a group and informal learning activities. Alongside new skills to help you find work, you will learn wellbeing strategies through social interaction, mindfulness courses and access to a thera-pet. You will also have the opportunity to enrol for 1:1 counselling sessions to support your mental health from a professional standpoint.
Bright Family Futures 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.
Email: hanna.tryfonova@barnardos.org.uk
Website: www.barnardos-ets.org.uk/centre/barnardos-works-eastofscotland
CHAI – WHOLE FAMILY EQUALITY PROJECT ADVICE
CHAI will support you as a parent from a minority ethnic background if you're unemployed or experiencing in-work poverty, as this project focuses on seeking equality for families. Your dedicated Advice Worker will offer you help in many areas relating to financial wellbeing, providing advice around benefits, housing, debt or 'in work' calculations too, where applicable.
Whole Family Equality Project Advice 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: 0131 442 2100 or Email: afam.ejimbe@chaiedinburgh.org.uk
Website: www.chaiedinburgh.org.uk
DATAKIRK - DATA2WORK
Data2Work is focused on offering you essential data skills if you are a parent from a BAME community and feel socially and economically excluded. Alongside new skills, you will progress into further learning, gain qualifications (SCQF 7-9) and ultimately increase your employability. During the 12-week programme, you will be introduced to the exciting opportunities available in data analytics, computing and statistics incorporated into the Professional Development Award in Data Science. You will learn via a hands-on approach in data labs, group work and online.
Data2Work 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: 07792 012713 or Email: fash.fasoro@thedatakirk.org.uk
Website: www.thedatakirk.org.uk
DEAN AND CAUVIN - CONNECTED CARE AND TRANSITION PROJECT
Dean and Cauvin will support you as a parent who is vulnerable and/or have lived care-experience and already embedded in their residential or community-based support programme. Your key worker will offer you support with employability skills on a 1:1 basis via weekly drop-ins and, alongside a peer mentor, together you will assess and address the barriers facing you in finding employment. This support is holistic so will complement the practical, wellbeing and social support you receive from your key worker(s), to support your positive transition to independent life and to provide the best ongoing care for your child(ren).
Connected Care and Transition Project 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: 0131 316 4994 or Email: liannet@deanandcauvin.org.uk
Website: www.deanandcauvin.org.uk
EQUATE SCOTLAND – UKRAINIAN PARENTS STEM CAREER PATHWAYS
Equate Scotland is focused on offering you a pathway into STEM* industries, if you are a parent with refugee status, or if you identify as a non-binary parent. The support you will be offered focuses on building your confidence, as well as increasing your skills and retraining options, to offer you access to STEM opportunities. *STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering & Built Environment and Maths.
Ukrainian Parents STEM Career Pathways 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: 0131 455 5141 or Email: c.bishop2@napier.ac.uk
Website: https://equatescotland.org.uk
HOME-START – FAMILY SUPPORT
Home-Start will support you as a parent living in poverty if you are from a BAME community, have a disability, are a single parent and/ or if you have no recourse to public funds. This project will help you with the aim of supporting you to move out of poverty and into education, employment or training. Home-Start has a wide network of partners to ensure you receive targeted intervention and this tailored support include weekly 1:1 visits, group work sessions and advice on benefits, housing, access to childcare. You will be offered employability support, including confidence building and access to vocational training and volunteering opportunities. You will also receive practical support (such as childcare) to allow you to pursue education, training or employment pathways. If you wish, you are also able to join the PEEP training programme, to give you confidence in managing your child's development.
Home-Start Family Support 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: 0131 553 7819 or Email: magdal@homestartedinburgh.org.uk
Website: www.homestartedinburgh.org.uk
INTOWORK - FIS INCOME MAXIMISATION WORKSHOPS
Into Work will offer you an in-person workshop focused on income maximisation, alongside other parents who are in a similar position, where you will also receive some 1:1 time. You are welcome as a parent living with in-work poverty or if you feel you can't work, due to your disability or health issue including anxiety and depression. By joining the workshop, it is likely that you will achieve direct financial gain in some form, via benefits or grants that you are eligible for, as well as budgeting skills, childcare help and income maximisation calculations should you choose to pursue seeking employment.
FIS Income Maximisation Workshops 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: 0131 475 2600 or Email: alan.bartlett@intowork.org.uk
Website: www.intowork.org.uk
LIFT – FIRST STEPS TO EMPLOYABILITY
LIFT supports you as a parent facing poverty, offering you a dedicated employability keyworker alongside other in-house support services that you may need. Your employability key worker will help you to develop new skills and remove the barriers you may face in finding employment or moving into education. Your keyworker will refer you to partners for training or qualifications, as well as support you with job searching and applications. Once you have secured a role you will be offered ongoing aftercare to give you the best chance in work and for future progression.
First Steps To Employability 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: 0131 467 3578 or Email: dionne@lift-edinburgh.com
Website: www.lift-edinburgh.com
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.
Email: lynn.houmdi@thechallengesgroup.com
Website: www.makingworkwork.scot/edinburgh
ONE PARENT FAMILIES SCOTLAND - CHILDCARE CONNECTOR
The Childcare Connector will help you if you are a parent with any childcare needs, especially if you are a lone parent, from an ethnically diverse background or have a disability. The Childcare Connector can provide you with information about options and also the funding available to you for childcare and support you to understand the different forms of early years care, education and after school care.
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.
Phone: 0131 556 3899 or Email: kalina.smolarska@opfs.org.uk
Website: https://opfs.org.uk
PASSION4FUSION – UBUNTU CONNECTIONS
Passion4Fusion will support you if you are an African or migrant parent with financial issues (including no recourse to public funds) and you have underlying health concerns. This provider will help you to access the services who will support you to manage your long-term health conditions. In addition, you will be offered training, mentoring and opportunities for job placements to help you gain the confidence and skills to secure employment.
UBUNTU Connections 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: 0131 210 0192 or Email: justine.ehimen@passion4fusion.com
Website: www.passion4fusion.com
PROJECT ESPERANZA – EMPLOYABILITY SERVICE
Project Esperanza supports you if you are a parent from any African country with preparing for employment, education or training during tailored weekly sessions on a 1:1 basis. The sessions will cover CV and cover letter writing, job searches and applications, interview and workplace skills and mentoring is also offered. Equally, Project Esperanza can help you with training courses or college applications.
The employability 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.
Phone: 07305774133 or Email: vicky@projectesperanza.org.uk
Website: https://projectesperanza.org.uk
SAHELIYA – SAHELIYA PROGRESSION
Saheliya will help you if you are a women or girl and you are black, minority ethnic, asylum seeking, refugee or a migrant living in Edinburgh. The support offered by Saheliya is to help you progress towards a career in childcare, over a programme of weeks, as well as language support and a creche for your pre-school children. The programme includes sessions to help you overcome barriers, accredited child protection training, ESOL, work experience placements and support to attend Edinburgh College.
Saheliya Progressions 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: 0131 476 8429 or Email: siham@saheliya.co.uk
Website: www.saheliya.co.uk
SOHTIS – SOHTIS PROJECT INTEGRATE
SOHTIS will support you as a parent from an ethnically diverse background if you are unemployed or facing in-work poverty. You will benefit from weekly 1:1 support with a dedicated keyworker who will understand your personal circumstances. In addition, you will be able to attend participatory workshops on specific topics to build your workplace skills and resilience. SOHTIS can also offer you a paid trial work placement if you complete the programme to a certain point.
SOHTIS Project Intregrate 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: 0141 884 7900 or Email: joymg@sohtis.org
Website: https://sohtis.org
SPACE @ THE BROOMHOUSE HUB – LIVING AND WORKING IN SCOTLAND
Space @ Broomhouse Hub can offer you two structured training sessions if you are a parent from an ethnically diverse background who is new to Edinburgh. The first session is to help you learn about Working in Scotland, including career planning and business English and a work club. The second session will offer you insight into Living in Scotland incorporating wellbeing as the theme for the activities which will help you get to know your new country and settle into a new culture, reduce barriers and build essential skills for life.
Living and Working in Scotland 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: 0131 455 7731 or Email: hazel.lyons@spacescot.org
Website: https://spacescot.org
SPACE @ THE BROOMHOUSE HUB – PLANNING FUTURES FOR PARENTS
PFP will support you if you are a parent who is unemployed and wish to develop your job seeking skills to find meaningful work, improve your social integration, learning and wellbeing, particularly if you are from an ethnically diverse background. The programme runs for six weeks at the Hub and you will learn how to communicate well and work with others in a team, build your confidence and focus on good health. Also on offer are speakers from different industries to inspire career path ideas and you will receive a certificate at the end of the programme.
Planning Futures 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.
Phone: 0131 455 7731 or Email: hazel.lyons@spacescot.org
Website: https://spacescot.org
STEPPING STONES – STEPPING STONE
Stepping Stone offers you the opportunity to re-engage with learning opportunities, explore your aspirations and goals, remove barriers to education and employment and take part in short courses. Childcare is provided for children aged 5 and under to allow you to take part in this opportunity. Stepping Stone will support you to grow your confidence, record your achievements and link you with opportunities which can further your progression towards employment.
Stepping Stone 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: 0131 551 1632 or Email: kerry@steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk
Website: www.steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk
THE WELCOMING ASSOCIATION – THE GROW PROJECT
The Get Ready for Opportunities and Work (GROW) Project can help you if you are a parent who is a New Scot (asylum seeker, refugee, or migrant). The GROW Project is a course to help you to prepare for working in the UK. The course runs for two hours once a week, for six weeks, and you will learn how to find work in Scotland, finding work in Scotland, how to write a CV, what to expect at job interviews, Scottish work culture, and your rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
The GROW Project 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: 0131 346 8577 or Email: sandra@thewelcoming.org
Website: www.thewelcoming.org
VOLUNTEERING MATTERS – PROJECT SCOTLAND PARENTAL SUPPORT
The Volunteers Supporting Parents Project can work with you if you are a parent who is a New Scot or a member of the BAME community. You will be matched with a volunteer whose experience, expertise or interests compliment your own needs and aspirations, and they will mentor you on a weekly basis to support you to work towards your goals.
Project Scotland Parental Support 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: 020 3780 5870 or Email: kristee.boyd@volunteeringmatters.org.uk
Website: www.projectscotland.co.uk/volunteering/activity-around-scotland/edinburgh-lothians
VOLUNTEERING MATTERS – VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTING PARENTS
The Volunteers Supporting Parents (VSP) project can support you if you are a parent who a New Scot (Refugee, Asylum Seekers, displaced people), a member of the Black and Minority Ethnic community, or if you experience disadvantage to accessing employability support and employment. The project offers weekly employability support and can also provide you with a mentor who can give you additional support in your journey to employment.
Volunteers Supporting 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.
Phone: 0131 564 1951
Email: oana.liliac@volunteeringmatters.org.uk or erin.devine@volunteeringmatters.org.uk
Website: https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/category/scotland
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.