Issues
These resources relate to issues surrounding lone parenting, such as money, childcare, housing, support and health.
A Guide to Time Off Work
This is a basic guide covering the different types of leave or absence from work and who is entitled to them. This factsheet is only an introduction to what you may be entitled to, so please seek further advice where necessary.
There is a separate factsheet for Maternity Rights, which covers leave and pay if you are pregnant or have just had a baby.
See also: Factsheet 29: Your Rights at Work.
Maternity rights factsheet
This factsheet covers maternity rights at work and benefits you are entitled to if you are not working. It also looks at legal issues for unmarried parents. Maternity rights are complicated, and this factsheet gives only a brief outline.
(This factsheet is part of the OPFS Lone Parent's Rights Guide.)
Going back to work factsheet
Information on New Deal for Lone Parents and other support available when returning to work.
(This factsheet is part of the OPFS Lone Parent's Rights Guide.)
Downloads
Further education and training factsheet
This guide explains what Further Education is, and what help is available if you wish to study or train at this level.
What happens to my benefits when my child gets older?
As your children get older your benefits, tax credits and child support will change. This factsheet describes the main changes that you will want to be aware of.
Links:
Scottish Government: List of Support Organisations
A direct payment is money in lieu of community care or children's services. Individual assessed as needing community care services, can choose to receive the service provided by the local authority, or to receive a direct payment to pay for a service that they would then be in control of, or a combination of the two. The organisations provided in this link can provide more detailed information about direct payments and when it should be offered.
Momentum
Momentum operates a range of employment support and training programmes designed to assist people with a range of different disabilities to return to or sustain work.
Special Families
Parent support website set up by parents who have children with disabilities and gives information on sources of help, benefits, education, autism etc.
Midlothian Employment Action Network
The Midlothian Employment Action Network (MEAN) is a network of employment intermediaries, working with people in Midlothian who face obstacles when seeking and retaining work. They can find the most appropriate sources of support and services for you to do this.
Remploy
Remploy offers disabled people a range of services and support to prepare them for work in mainstream employment.