Learning and Support for Families

The Pines

The Pines is a Highland resource that has online information and training for families on a range of areas including: anxiety, distressed behaviour, dyslexia, eating, sleep and toileting. The ‘Supporting My Child’ area of the website is a helpful starting point for all families.

Just Ask

The Just Ask line is available on a Tuesday and a Thursday between 1pm-4pm. This can be called to ask advice from a range of services to help support your child at home. Direct referrals to services do not take place via Just Ask. These would be made through the Health Visitor (if your child is in Early Learning and Childcare) or the school.

Just Ask can be contacted on: 0300 303 1365

Staff usually available through Just Ask are…

Child Health and Disability
Dietician
Educational Psychologists
Infant Feeding Support workers
Occupational Therapists
Physiotherapists
Primary Mental Health Workers
Psychological Service Home Visiting Teachers
Speech and Language Therapists

Thriving Families

Thriving Families is an information and family support service of children with additional support needs. As well as a range of online resources, they can also be contacted by telephone for guidance.

Action for Children

Action for Children ‘Parent Talk’ is a resource for families to support their children. As well as a range of online resources, they have an online chat facility where you can have a 1:1 discussion with a parenting coach.

Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity is recognising that we think, act and respond differently. If a child is described as being neurodivergent, they may think, act or respond differently to what may be considered typical for their age. When considering a diagnosis, there is an assessment process known as the Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service (NDAS), and this process takes time. The request for assessment would be through your health visitor (if your child is in ELC) or via the additional support needs teacher in school.

The Pines has specific resources on understanding and supporting neurodiversity. This is an area that families are encouraged to explore prior to considering an assessment, whilst awaiting the assessment process, or following the assessment process.

CLICK HERE – The Pines Neurodevelopmental Resources

EPIC has been created by Edinburgh University for families and educators to better understand and support neurodiversity. The following are helpful guides: CLICK HERE – Full EPIC Resources