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 individuals gaining or improving digital knowledge and skills related to the data industry. Collaborating with Edinburgh College, it provides entry-level courses around I.T. skills, data analysis, cybersecurity, etc. 

Individuals learn about the data sector to begin their personal journey to becoming a data citizen and, ultimately a data worker.  Access Data explains 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

BARNARDO’S - BRIGHT FAMILY FUTURES

Bright Family Futures supports parents to identify and address the barriers parents face to work/progression. They help create an action plan, identifying actions to address each barrier and need. The project delivers a range of activities tailored to individual needs. Activities include one-to-one support, group work, and informal learning opportunities. Support will be holistic and take whole family approach. Wellbeing is supported through social/community activities, mindfulness courses and access to their counsellors/therapists. Support includes:

  • Qualifications
  • Language skills/confidence
  • Workplace culture/rights
  • Career information
  • Employer talks
  • Benefit maximisation
  • Digital skills
  • Money management
  • Job application skills
  • Job/work placement matching

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

CHAI supports parents from a minority ethnic background who are unemployed or experiencing in-work poverty. This project focuses on seeking equality for families. The dedicated Advice Worker offers help in many areas relating to financial wellbeing, providing advice around benefits, housing, debt or 'in work' calculations too, where applicable.

Please note CHAI offers citywide services with a focus on South West and North East localities.

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: agnieszka.kuna@chaiedinburgh.org.uk

Website: www.chaiedinburgh.org.uk

EDINBURGH COLLEGE - PESF BOOST

PESF Boost are short courses for parents who are thinking about their next steps into education or work. It allows parents to experience College, meet the staff and understand further study options. They are delivered in person or online.

12 courses offered twice a year:

  • Women into Work & Enterprise:  By women, for women to empower them.
  • Speaking Up, Speaking Out:  Improve positive communication (evening).
  • I.T. Skills for the Petrified:  I.T. confidence & skills, cyber safety (evening).
  • Customer Service Skills:  Develop skills for customer service roles (online).
  • Baby Buddies:  Parenting best practice (certified) in person, with babies.
  • Food for Life:  Healthy eating / food preparation in person, GWF nursery kitchen.

Learners will have access to English language support, if needed.

PESF Boost 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 Martin.Smith@edinburghcollege.ac.uk

LIFT - FIRST STEPS TO EMPLOYABILITY 

LIFT provides family support in North Edinburgh. This includes reducing barriers to work, budgeting, better-off calculations, housing and benefit advice. They also support with domestic violence, confidence and self-esteem and poor mental health.

Support includes 1:1 sessions and groupwork. setting employment goals and developing achievable action plans.  LIFT also offers in-work support to families facing increased financial pressures.

LIFT 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: info@lift-edinburgh.com

Telephone: 0131 467 3578

Web: 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

MULTI-CULTURAL FAMILY BASE (MCFB) - PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS

MCFB supports BME parents and families  facing barriers to work. This includes lack of qualifications, language skills, childcare needs, and mental health challenges.

The programme offers  employability workshops, training, childcare support and mental health resources. Each parent will have an individual action plan and mentoring to help find and sustain work. 

Pathways to Success 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: Ethelinda.Lashley-Scott@mcfb.org.uk

Website: www.mcfb.org.uk

ONE PARENT FAMILIES SCOTLAND (OPFS) - CHILDCARE CONNECTORS

OPFS’ Childcare Connectors supports single parents across Edinburgh to understand and find childcare. They help secure childcare for the safe care of children so parents can focus on education, work or volunteering .

Childcare guidance is personalised, and they can often also offer funding help.  Ongoing support ensures parents have access to continued resources that they need.  

Childcare Connectors 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 Natalia.Sheikh@opfs.org.uk

Website: https://opfs.org.uk/who-we-are/local-services/opfs-edinburgh

ONE PARENT FAMILIES SCOTLAND (OPFS) - EMPLOYABILITY SUPPORT SERVICE

The Employability Support Service offers tailored support to lone parents to overcome barriers and develop essential skills.

They offer a six-week certified programme, focusing on job searching, financial planning and developing a growth mindset.  The course includes 1:1 support to ensure parents can progress and achieve their goals. 

They also offer a wraparound family support service which covers parenting skills, relationships, housing, and money advice. There is also an in-house mental health support services and wellbeing programmes. It uses CBT to support parents who may struggle with low to moderate anxiety and depression.

Employability Support 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.

Email Jenifer.Hamilton@opfs.org.uk

Website: https://opfs.org.uk/who-we-are/local-services/opfs-edinburgh

PASSION4FUSION - UBUNTU CONNECTIONS

UBUNTU Connections supports families from African / BME communities. They are led by lived experience to ensure cultural sensitivity.

Passion4Fusion works with families who typically have migrant status but no resource to public funds. Parents may have fled conflict, are traumatised and face barriers, including racial discrimination. The project overcome these through first-language support, expertise in rights, mental health support and access to skills training.

Support includes developing pathways to work, skills development, job searching and work experience.  Counselling is also provided, and an aftercare package of support ensures that parents continue to progress and fulfil their potential. They encourage a focus on self-care and the wellbeing of families once in employment.

UBUNTU Coonections 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 helene@passion4fusion.com

Website: https://passion4fusion.com

SPACE @ THE BROOMHOUSE HUB – ESOL INTO WORK

ESOL Into Work offers a personalised English language and employability programme in South West Edinburgh. It is designed to empower minority ethnic groups and those experiencing in-work poverty.

Their holistic approach includes:

  • Tailored action planning to address individual needs and goals
  • Weekly English classes for all levels, from beginner to advanced
  • Fun family conversation clubs for informal practice
  • Sector-specific ESOL workshops (Childcare, Social Care, Construction, etc.).
  • 'ESOL for Employment' classes focusing on interview skills and workplace culture.

The service is perfect for anyone looking to enter the job market or advance their career into a higher paying position through improved language skills. ESOL Into Work is designed to help people thrive in the Scottish workplace. Attendees will improve their English, boost their employability, and open doors to new opportunities.

Phone: 0131 455 7731 or Email: hazel.lyons@spacescot.org

Website: https://spacescot.org

SPACE @ THE BROOMHOUSE HUB – PLANNING FUTURES FOR PEOPLE

Planning Futures for People is designed to help people develop skills and confidence to secure better jobs and support their families.

The programme offers:

  • Personalised 1:1 support with action planning
  • Weekly confidence-building group sessions
  • 10-week life and career planning course
  • Weekly Work Club for CV and application assistance
  • Accredited qualifications in high-demand industries
  • Digital support.

Space currently supports 24 nationalities, focusing on parents and carers from diverse backgrounds. Now they’re expanding to welcome more groups, including minority ethnic groups, parents, over 50s, young people 16-24 and those with long-term health conditions.

Their holistic approach addresses barriers such as low confidence, childcare needs, and mental health issues. They provide tailored support from initial skill-building to job placement and beyond.

Planning Futures for People 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 NORTH EDINBURGH

Stepping Stones supports parents in North Edinburgh to engage with learning, explore aspirations and goals. They help parents to remove barriers to education and employment.

Childcare is provided for children under five years. This allows parents to increase their confidence through 1:1 support to set goals and groupwork to encourage peer support and learning.  They offer a range of certified courses and learning around soft skills and vocational areas. They also connect parents with opportunities around higher education and meaningful work.

Stepping Stones North Edinburgh 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 kerry@steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk

Website: www.steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk

THE WELCOMING ASSOCIATION - BRIDGES TO SUCCESS

The Welcoming Associations supports New Scots, specifically asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in Edinburgh. They support with language skills, lack of work experience and social isolation.

This is delivered through the ‘Bridges to Success’ project, offering support, such as tailored ESOL classes, employment mentoring and workplace cultural orientation.  The project is delivered through a series of workshops and 1:1 support, offered by dedicated workers and volunteers.  For those experiencing in-work poverty, they also offer support for those already employed, through skills development and job coaching.  

Bridges to Success 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 Sandra@thewelcoming.org

Website: www.thewelcoming.org

OTHER SUPPORT FOR PARENTS

THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL - SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES 

The City of Edinburgh Council provide a range of information to support families. This includes financial advice, parenting support, family activites and much more.

Website: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/support-families

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.