Children & Families Toolkit

The Children & Families Toolkit brings together a range of resources all in one place to help families access information regarding benefits, education, employment, childcare, transport & wellbeing support.

Childcare is expensive and can be a barrier for many parents/carers looking to access sustainable employment. There are a number of government offers that can help support families with their childcare costs. You can find Support with Childcare Costs here. In addition, you can use our Benefit Calculator to find out about any other benefits you could claim to maximise your income.

The Advice Shop is part of the Anti-Poverty Service and is a free, impartial and confidential service to help the people of West Lothian. They aim to provide financial support, help to tackle poverty and promote inclusion and equality through a range of services. They offer advice on topics such as Benefits Advice, Energy Advice, Money/Debt Advice & Housing Issues.

You can enquire for further information on these topics by calling 01506 283 000 or by completing an Advice Shop Online Referral Form.

We have a number of support networks available in West Lothian. From Advice & Support for Families to Education, Employment & Training, the West Lothian Advice Network brings together key advice agencies in West Lothian that are there to support our communities and ensure residents have access to high quality advice & information.

Accessing affordable and flexible childcare that works for your situation can be a barrier to sustainable, long-term employment. Information on nurseries, primary/secondary schools, ASN schools & private partner nursery and playgroups can be accessed on the Find a School or Nursery page on the West Lothian Council website.

The Scottish Childminding Association website (opens new window) allows you to search for a childminder in your local area.

Have you ever considered becoming a childminder yourself?

West Lothian Early Years and Childcare Partnership wishes to encourage increased numbers of registered childminders in the West Lothian area. West Lothian Early Years and Childcare Partnership have joined up with Business Gateway West Lothian to ensure that all new childminding businesses get off to the best start possible.

Grants of up to £250 are available for individuals who need financial support in order to meet the Childcare Commission's requirements of registration as a childminder.

You can find more information on starting your own business, becoming a childminder and Business Gateway contact information on the Business Gateway Website (opens new window)

The Programme for Scotland's Childminding Future (PSCF) also offer support for those interested in a career in childminding. You could receive a minimum £750 start-up grant, along with free training and one-to-one support from a Workforce Officer once you're registered with the Care Inspectorate and HMRC. Register your interest and find out more information on the PSCF website. (opens new window)

Parents/carers should approach their child's school for support, if there are school related costs that prevent their child fully participating in any aspect of school life. Examples of support include provision of uniform, access to clubs, events and trips and provision of learning resources such as stationary. Schools can also help parents/carers access support from other agencies.

West Lothian Council extended the free breakfast provision to all pupils in primary schools who want a breakfast. Breakfast is also free to those entitled to free school meals in secondary schools. Please contact your child's school directly for further details of times and menu if you would like your child to attend a breakfast club.

In Secondary Schools pupils entitled to free school meals will have a breakfast provision allowance included on their National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot Card which should be spent that morning. All other secondary pupils can purchase the same breakfast for 57p.

Families on low incomes may be eligible to receive help towards the cost of school clothing, and also free school meals and milk for their children. The link to more information on qualifying criteria and how to apply can be found on the School Clothing Grants, Free School Meals & Milk webpage on the West Lothian Council website.

Students aged 16 to 19 who have reached school leaving age may be eligible for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). EMA provides £30 per week to help cover education-related expenses, depending on household income. You can click on the Education Maintenance Allowance application form for the 2024/2025 academic year to apply now.

If you are a parent who lives in West Lothian, you are entitled to employment support. Advisors at the Parental Employment Support Team offer one-to-one support for parents who are interested in identifying career goals, aspirations and routes into employment or career progression. This is done through personalised action plans that consider all aspects of family life, making it easier to identify practical steps toward achieving each parent's individual goals. Support is available whether parents are currently unemployed, looking to advance in their careers, or aiming to maintain stable and sustainable employment.

The Parental Employment Support Team can also help to remove barriers to employment through providing funding towards:

Driving lessons
Training/qualifications for entering or progressing in employment
Starting self-employment
First month of childcare
Travel assistance
Parental welfare funds for parents moving from benefits into employment

You can find out more about the PES Team and the services they provide on the Invest in West Lothian (opens new window) website.

Access2Employment prepare a fortnightly Vacancy Bulletin which brings together a range of local job opportunities as well as further training opportunities & support in West Lothian.

Flexible Working

Are you aware of your legal right to ask your employer for flexible working?

Types of flexible working can include:

remote working
hybrid working,
reduced or part time hours,
flexible start and finish times
compressed hours.

If you want or need flexible working you should start by talking to your manager about your options, and find out if your company has a policy on flexible working. You can also learn more about your rights and how to approach this topic with your employer by visiting Flexibility Works (opens new window).

Support for Self-Employed Parents

Are you interested in becoming self-employed? or already self-employed but would like support to develop your business?

Business Gateway can support you in a variety of ways:

With funding of up to £1000 to assist you with gaining new skills to help increase business profitability

1-1 support from a dedicated Business Gateway adviser to help your business grow

1-1 personal development support from our Parental Employment Support team.

For more information you can contact Business Gateway West Lothian at:

https://www.bgateway.com/local-offices/west-lothian/local-support

bgateway@westlothian.gov.uk

01506 283400

People engage with Adult Learning courses for a variety of reasons - to prepare for employment or education, to better support their children, to build their social networks, or simply to acquire a new skill. Instructors can tailor their approach to teaching based on your goals, interests, and preferred ways of learning.

Some of the most popular classes include English as a Second Language, Numeracy and Literacy, Digital Skills, and developing confidence, self-awareness and working with others as part of the College in the Community programme. You can also access leisure courses such as Pilates.

If any of these courses interest you, you can find courses on the Adult Learning page on the West Lothian Council website.

Young People aged 5-21 years old and who live in Scotland are entitled to free public bus travel with a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC).

Children aged under 5 years already travel for free on public bus services across Scotland. For more information on how to apply please check the Young Persons Free Bus Travel Scheme page on the West Lothian Council website.

Taxibus Services

Taxibus services are available in certain areas in West Lothian where conventional bus services are not available. As these taxi buses act as a demand-response service, they will only run when passengers pre-book their journey.

The areas in which these services run, the available timetables and contact information to book a journey can be found on the Demand-Responsive Taxibus Services page on the West Lothian Council website.

West Lothian Service Locator

Discover and locate essential services around West Lothian using the free West Lothian Locator (opens new window) tool created by the Voluntary Sector Gateway.

With the Keyword search panel you can find services specific to children, parents or families.

The advanced search also allows you to filter results by location and service category, allowing you to find useful services in your area.

Experts by Experience Panel

As part of West Lothian Council's Anti-Poverty Strategy, the Council are interested in hearing from people who have experience, or know of someone, who has experienced poverty at some point in their lives. If you would like to have an input or discuss ways to help the community call 01506 283000 (option 4) or e-mail: volunteering@westlothian.gov.uk

Volunteering

Have you thought about volunteering?

Volunteering is a great way to make a difference, for others and for yourself. Whether you're looking to give back, gain experience, or meet new people, volunteering offers valuable opportunities.

People volunteer for a variety of reasons, this could be to increase confidence, learn new skills, be a part of a team, or enhance their CV. Many employers see volunteering as meaningful work experience, and most roles require no formal qualifications. You can give as much or as little of your time as you choose, and training is often provided.

The Gateway

The Voluntary Sector Gateway collaborates with local partners to promote a variety of volunteering roles in the community. It is also connected to Volunteer Scotland, which provides access to volunteering opportunities across the country. This support is ideal for those just starting out or looking to gain valuable experience. You can find out more information and register to volunteer on the Gateway website (opens new window).

West Lothian Council Volunteer Team

You can contact the West Lothian Council Volunteer Team through email at Volunteering@westlothian.gov.uk

Please find more information about our Pathways to Volunteering Course below.

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Children & Families Toolkit