Contact Scotland

Our team in Scotland is here to support you and your family.

Our Scotland team offers support, advice and information to families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability. We support families by running workshops, events and drop-in services, and by providing local information and resources.

What we do

Scotland enquiry line

We can provide information and support on a range of queries, from early years through to transitions into adult life.

You can speak to our Information Officer on  07458 046 071.

Workshops

We offer free workshops on a range of topics including sleep, guardianship, money matters and preparing for adult life. Our workshops are delivered both face-to-face and online and can be booked through our Eventbrite page.

Search workshops

Events

We run events throughout the year across Scotland, from drop-in support sessions to larger information days, where we work in partnership with local and national organisations. See our Facebook page for our latest events.

Contact Scotland Facebook

Support groups

Parent support groups provide parents of disabled children with essential practical and emotional support.

We can help you find and join friendly and supportive groups, or even set your own up. If you’re already run a support group, you can sign up to our support group e-bulletin for news and updates for your families.

To find out more about any of the above, please email us using the details below.

By Your Side Scotland

Our By Your Side service provides support to families of disabled and additional needs children – with or without a diagnosis – who are attending an appointment or staying in hospital. 

We have monthly stands at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow and the Wishaw General in Lanarkshire, where our friendly Parent Adviser provides a face-to-face drop-in service.

Find out more about by your side

The information & advice pages on our website cover a wide range of topics; from early years to social care, health conditions to legal matters. You can find advice related to Scotland within each section.

Policy & Partnerships

We work in partnership with many professionals and organisations to provide the best possible support to families with disabled children. Please get in touch using the details below if you would like to work with us.

We have produced a range of research reports, and we are actively involved in several policy, parliamentary and advisory groups. 

We also work with organisations, social services, education and health agencies across Scotland to make sure families with disabled children get a fair deal in government policies and legislation.

Influencing policy through consultation and engagement

Contact is a member of the Disabled Children & Young People’s Advisory Group. We have worked together with Down’s Syndrome Scotland, Family Fund, PAMIS (profound and multiple learning disabilities) and The Alliance to work with families to influence Scottish Government policy consultation and engagement. 

Read our Parents’ Voice report, a recent snapshot of what families currently experience around support and planning of services, and parent carer views on two new policy developments in Scotland – the National Care Service and the National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for Scotland.

UNCRC / UNCRPD update

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) sets out the rights of children and young people. On Tuesday 16 July 2024, Scotland became the first nation in the UK to embed the UNCRC into law.

It means that decision-makers are legally required to consult with children and young people on policy changes. Local and national officials and organisations will need to think specifically about how their policies impact children and young people. Consultations will need to take young voices into account to ensure they are listened to and taken seriously.

This is a huge step forward for children’s rights in Scotland and paves the way for positive and long-lasting changes in our society. The next step is to ensure that decision-makers understand their responsibilities and are held to account if they do not follow the law.

Find out more on the Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights) website.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People (UNCRPD) sets out right rights of disabled people. Find out more at Inclusion Scotland website.

The intention is to incorporate UNCRPD into Scots law. This will mean that public bodies have legal duties to deliver disabled people’s rights, and the law will set these rights out. A new Act to do this is expected during the Scottish Parliament 2021 to 2026.

Get in touch

You can find us at:

Contact Scotland 
The Melting Pot 
15 Calton Road
Edinburgh 
EH8 8DL

Phone: 07458 046 071
Email: [email protected]

National policy, campaigning & partnership work 

Susan Walls 
Phone: 07458 046 070 
Email: [email protected]  

General enquiries & advice 

Donna Tomlin
Phone: 07458 046 071
Email: [email protected]  

Marketing & communications

Caroline Thorley
Phone: 07579 851563
Email: [email protected]k 

Welfare & benefits advice for Scotland

Freephone Helpline: 0808 808 3555

By Your Side Scotland | Parent Adviser

Lynn Shields
Phone: 07421 309263
Email: [email protected]