Parent/Carer/Family Wellbeing

Navigating services and supports when caring for a child with a disability or additional support need can be demanding and socially isolating. Whilst the learner and their needs is at the heart of all that we do as educators, it is important also to consider the needs of their parents or carers and how they can be supported.  

Navigating services and supports when caring for a child with a disability or additional support need can be demanding and socially isolating. Whilst the learner and their needs is at the heart of all that we do as educators, it is important also to consider the needs of their parents or carers and how they can be supported. 

Enquire is the Scottish advice service for all matters related to Additional Support for Learning, with information and resources to support both parents and carers and professionals.   

Schools are expected to: 

• Make Enquire’s leaflets available to parents/carers and staff in every school.  These can be ordered from Enquire.  There should also be a link on local authority websites. 
• Provide parents with opportunities to link with other parents facing similar experiences, whether through buddying arrangements, informal local support   groups, or information sessions. 
• Ensure the right information is readily available at the right time, and that parents and carers know where to go for relevant and reliable advice or support. 
• Ensure that offers of information and support are reviewed regularly and adapted over time 
• At the start of reach year, identify a mutually agreed regular home-school communication system, that does not only happen when there’s a problem. 

Hearing from parents and carers

Some parents came forward to share their experiences of support for their child in Scottish education settings.   They shared their experiences of navigating the system and accessing information, building relationships with the school, and their experience of inclusion.   You can listen to the podcast below.  Please note that the approaches taken by the schools in these reports were in response to the individual child and the context of their family and educational setting.  These approaches may or may not be suitable in your own context.  Professional judgement and collaboration with the learner, family and professionals involved is key to providing relevant support. 

MindEd Hub is a free educational resource that provides information and advice around mental health, including information specifically for parents and carers.