Edinburgh

Find up to date information on the support and activities available for families across Edinburgh at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/supportforfamilies. If you need help finding support for you or your child, please email: supportingparentsandcarers@edinburgh.gov.uk 

Please click the links for top tips for developing good mental health and emotional wellbeing for Children and Young People, Parents, and for Schools.

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Edinburgh Community Resources ​

Autism Initiatives

Autism Initiatives provide a range of services within Edinburgh, tailored to people with autism, their families and carers. Please visit www.autisminitiatives.org for the most up-to-date information.

CrossReach Services

CrossReach is for families, parents, children and young people who at different stages of their lives may need additional support.

CrossReach Sunflower Garden

Sunflower Garden works in partnership with Circle Harbour Project to provide support across the city for families affected by drug and alcohol use. As part of this service, Sunflower Garden provides 1:1 therapeutic support to children and young people on an outreach basis, art therapy and counselling, and groupwork. For further information about referrals or availability, please contact the service:

Citadel Youth Centre

The Citadel offers a range of open access youth clubs, projects and individual support. Please check the Citadel Youth Centre facebook page and twitter @CitadelYCLeith for up-to-date information.

Disability Behaviour Support Service

The Disability Behaviour Support Service provides practical strategies for parents/carers in managing their child’s behaviour. DBSS work with children and families with a wide range of ages, multiple disabilities and needs.

Enquiries can be directed to Jean Cole at Jean.Cole@Edinburgh.gov.uk

Edinburgh Carers Council

An Edinburgh charity that provides free, confidential and independent advocacy for carers supporting someone with mental or physical health difficulties.​

Edinburgh City Youth Cafe

At the heart of all the 6VT services is the Drop In. Operating an open door policy, the Drop In is open to any young person living in the Edinburgh aged 13 -21 years of age. Each month there is a programme of social, educational and personal development activities which young people can participate in if they wish. All our activities including summer provision are free.​

Edinburgh Young Carers

Edinburgh Young Carers support young people aged from 5 to 20 who look after someone else at home. This could be a parent or sibling.

Edinburgh Carer Support Team

You can refer yourself to the service by contacting:

Edinburgh Self Harm Project

Provide a non-judgemental, friendly and user led support service for people who self-harm (age 16+ years).

Healthy Reading Scheme

Available in some Lothian libraries.

The Junction

A free service for young people (12 – 21 years) who live in Edinburgh. The Junction supports young people with their health and well-being including emotional health, mental health, alcohol and substance use and sexual health. To request support please either email support@the-junction.org or text 07758348850.

Local parenting groups (0-16 years)

Which includes PEEP, Incredible Years, Triple P and Raising Children with Confidence as well as Teen Triple P and Raising Teens with Confidence.

Lothian Autistic Society

Provide services, information and practical support to individuals on the autistic spectrum, their families and carers in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

ND: Well

A partnership from Tailor Ed, Barnardo’s and Autism Initiatives, working together with NHS CAMHS colleagues to provide services to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, aged from 5-24, living in Edinburgh who have a neurodevelopmental condition such as autism, ADHD and intellectual disability. The ND: Well team can support a range of issues to support the development of self-awareness and self-advocacy as well as tools and resources that help wellbeing, including emotional regulation skills, meeting and managing sensory needs, taking care of physical health and addressing social isolation. Services are also available to parents to access support on behalf of their child. Referrals are accepted directly from children and young people, parents or professionals.

Richmond’s Hope – Edinburgh & Midlothian

Provides support for children and young people aged 4-18 years who have been bereaved.

​Rowan Alba

Rowan Alba offers a broad range of services including Community Alcohol Awareness Service (CARDS), Supported Accommodation, One to One Support and the Rowan Alba Learning Centre.

Scottish Autism

An organisation dedicated to enriching the lives of autistic people.

Space Scot

Space Scot Youth & Families team provides a range of services including youth befriending, youth carers services and counselling, that support children, young people and their families in South West Edinburgh.

Systemic Family Sessions

Family sessions give parents and children space to sit down together and talk when things have become difficult at home.

Tailor Ed Foundation

From June 2018 onwards Tailor Ed will offer two services to those with a referral: (1) an Early Years Service and (2) a Target Specific Service. Also offer social supports which are open to the entire autism community.

​The Yard

A charity that runs adventure play services for disabled children, young people and their families in the east of Scotland.

YPSUS

The Young People Substance Use Service (YPSUS) is a partnership of Edinburgh agencies working with young people (up to the age of 21) who use drugs (including alcohol). The service offers advice, information, one-to-one support as well as support to access medical treatment. Young people can make contact themselves, be referred by a professional or come to a drop in. Please check the YPSUS website below for contact details for each of the local services in Edinburgh.