9. Advice and Support
There are people who are not part of child protection services who you can speak to if you are worried or have questions about the child protection process.
You might find it helpful to go through the information in this guide with someone who understands child protection in Scotland. This could be a social worker or there are organisations who can help which are set out below.
It’s also possible that some parents and carers might find that some of the information provided in this guide is difficult and distressing as it may raise memories about past events. It is important to consider exploring the information contained in this guide with another person you trust to support you, for example, a relative, friend or support worker.
Reading about harm, abuse and neglect is difficult and may be upsetting. There are services who can help you. If you need to talk to somebody, call Samaritans on 116 123 or Breathing Space on 08000 28 22 33. If you are worried or need support, call Parentline on 08000 28 22 33 or go to Children’s 1st for advice and support.
Legal advice
Citizens Advice Scotland
Citizens Advice Scotland, the Extra Help Unit, and their local offices, is Scotland’s largest independent advice network. Advice provided by the service is free, independent, confidential, impartial and available to everyone.
Finding a solicitor
Solicitors are experts on law. They can give legal advice; tell people what their legal rights are and how to enforce them; help people to resolve a problem without going to court or a tribunal; or represent them in court or a tribunal (if needed)
The Scottish Child Law Centre
The Scottish Child Law Centre is a Scottish charity that provides free legal information by qualified solicitors on all aspects of Scots law relating to children and young people across Scotland. They can advise on matter related to parental responsibilities and rights, residence, contact, children’s rights, youth offenders, education, health, social work and access to files, and the advice given is impartial, confidential and child centred.
Clan Childlaw
Clan Childlaw is Scotland’s law centre for children and young people. They are lawyers for children and young people and regularly represent children and young people in court, at Children’s Hearings, and in important meetings.
Scottish Legal Aid Board
Legal aid is the help you can sometimes get when you can’t afford to pay your own legal costs. You can only apply for legal aid through a solicitor who does legal aid work. The Board does not provide legal advice. A solicitor will: talk you through your options; let you know if you’re likely to get legal aid; help you with the application process. You may not need to pay anything at all, depending on your financial position and the type of legal help you need. You may have to pay some money towards the legal costs of your case, or pay costs back later.
Independent advice, information and advocacy
Parentline
Parentline is an advice and information service for all parents and carers of children in Scotland.
www.children1st.org.uk/help-for-families/parentline-scotland/
Kinship Care Advice Service Scotland
The Kinship Care Advice Service for Scotland (KCASS) provide free, confidential, impartial advice to Kinship families and professionals working with them.
TFN – the Fostering Network
The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity. It provides advice, information and services to foster carers and families.
Adoption UK Scotland
Adoption UK Scotland is a charity that provides information, support and advice to adoptive parents.
Who Cares? Scotland
Who Cares? Scotland is a national, independent organisation for care experienced people in Scotland which provides support including independent advocacy, a helpline, knowledge about rights and access to local groups.
Independent advocacy
Who Cares? Scotland provides independent, free and confidential advocacy to care experienced children and young people.
www.whocaresscotland.org/get-support/advocacy/
A number of organisations provide advocacy for children attending Children’s Hearings. The details for each local area are found on their website.
www.hearings-advocacy.com/contact-someone-local/
In some local authority areas, parents and carers who have additional needs or need support with their mental health, may be entitled to advocacy services which can provide an independent person who can discuss and represent your views. Ask the social worker working with your child and family if this support is available if you would find this helpful.
Keeping Children Safe in Scotland
Guides for younger children, young people and parents and carers
