Where can I get help or support as a parent or carer?
ParentLine Scotland is the free, confidential, telephone helpline for parents and anyone caring for a child in Scotland. ParentLine is open for telephone calls from parents on Monday, Wednesday & Friday between 9am - 5pm or Tuesday & Thursday between 9am - 9pm. Phone 0808 800 2222. More at their website at http://www.children1st.org.uk
Parents Enquiry Scotland has been in existence for about 30 years, offering support to parents and their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender children across Scotland. Further information is available on the admin line at 0131 556 6047 or at the website at www.parentsenquiryscotland.org/ or email parentsenquiry@hotmail.com
Parenting Across Scotland (PAS) is a partnership of adult relationship organisations and children’s charities which work together on issues affecting parents and families in Scotland today. PAS operates the OK to Ask helpline (0808 800 2222) and its website, at www.parentingacrossscotland.org has a wide range of resources for parents, covering many topics including sexual health and relationships.
Respond provides a range of services to both victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse who have learning disabilities and those who have been affected by other trauma. Their services extend to support and training for families, carers and professionals. Visit www.respond.org.uk or call 0808 808 0700.
Who can help if my son or daughter has a question or is worried about something to do with their sexual health?
Sometimes it's good to talk, to find out more about your rights or just to talk about something that is a bit of a worry. Healthy Respect encourages young people to find someone in their family that they can trust and is a good listener and talk to them. However if a young person wants to talk to someone else these are the agencies that can help. Parents might also want to encourage their son or daughter to seek out information, support or advice from any of these places.
Sometimes it's good to talk, to find out more about your rights or just to talk about something that is a bit of a worryHealthy Respect drop-ins are services for young people in Edinburgh and the Lothians which provide free confidential advice, support and information about general and sexual health. They are in schools, health centres and the community. See Address Book for drop-ins and opening times.
Caledonia Youth (CY) can help with questions or situations to do with sex, relationships or sexual health. Young people can contact them by telephone on 0131 229 3596, or by writing to CY at 5 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2DP. They can give a young person an appointment or tell them when there is a drop in time. Their website gives more information www.caledoniayouth.org
Family Planning Clinics are all over West Lothian, East Lothian, Midlothian and Edinburgh. They can help with questions or situations to do with sex, relationships or sexual health. Some of their clinics are especially for young people. Young people can phone them on 0131 332 7941 to find out where their nearest clinic is.
LGBT Youth Scotland supports young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Their website at www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/ provides more detail, or young people can call the Youthline on 0845 113 0005 from 7.30 to 9pm on Tuesdays or telephone 0131 622 2266 at other times, or write to LGBT Youth Scotland, John Cotton Centre, 10 Sunnyside, Edinburgh EH7 5RA.
ChildLine gives confidential information and support. Young people can contact them by telephone for free on 0800 1111 or by writing (no stamp needed) to ChildLine Freepost 1111, Glasgow G1 4BR.
Worth Talking About gives advice about sex, relationships and contraception. The call is free and confidential, telephone 0800 28 29 30 or by Textphone (for people with hearing impairments) on 0800 328 1651
To find out more about health issues facing young people:
There are some websites aimed at young people that are good sources of information about a range of health issues. These are also good for parents seeking information in order to talk to their child about what might be worrying them.
YoungMinds provides lots of information about mental health and wellbeing at www.youngminds.org.uk
At ChildLine you can find out more about many things that concern young people at www.childline.org.uk
Caledonia Youth provide free and confidential relationships and sexual health services and advice to all young people in Scotland. Their website is at www.caledoniayouth.org
LGBT Youth Scotland www.lgbtyouth.org.uk is a national youth organisation working towards the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people in the life of Scotland.
Resources for parents:
See the resources for parents in our Downloads & Campaigns section.