Services

The table below provides a list of useful services to support those with Additional Support Needs and their families
What do you need support with? Where to go What they do Where to find them

Finding local services in East Dunbartonshire

Asset Map

A website which has collated a list of all local services and organisations so you can easily search for opportunities which you are seeking 

View the East Dunbartonshire Asset Map

Overcoming difficulties achieving goals and feeling more included in the community

Local Area Co-ordinators (LACs) 

Support people with an autism and/or mild learning disability diagnosis (over 14 years old) to fulfil their ambitions such as finding employment, preparing for further study, increasing social networks and building independence. Also offering signposting and information to those under 14 or on the diagnosis waiting list and to parents & carers.   

LACs@eastdunbarton.gov.uk 

Struggles with mental health 

EDAMH (East Dunbartonshire Association for Mental Health)

Compassionate Distress Response Service

 

EDAMH: Offer 1:1 recovery-focussed support to people experiencing ill mental health for up to 6 months (must be over 18 years old and without a learning disability)

Compassionate Distress Response Service: For young people aged between 16 - 25 who are experiencing acute emotional distress, but do not require medical or specialist support. Short term support for 4 weeks

Primary Care Mental Health team: Short-term mental health intervention for those over 18 years old

Visit the EDAMH website.

Call EDAMH on 0141 955 3040

Social work support

East Dunbartonshire Council social work advice and response team

Guidance on what social work services are available for physical and mental health, and learning disabilities – can also request a social work assessment.

0141 777 3000

Ask for the ‘Children’s Advice and Response team’ or the ‘Adult Advice and Response team’.

Advocacy

Ceartas

Provide independent advocacy on issues including communicating with social work, guardianship, accessing extra support for education or employment and PIP assessments, among many other things.

Visit the Ceartas website.

0141 775 0433

Advice and help applying for benefits

Citizens Advice Bureau

Advice on a range of topics including financial, legal and healthcare issues. CAB within East Dunbartonshire also have a dedicated service to help understand and apply for disability benefits.  

Visit the Citizens Advice Bureau website

Call the Citizens Advice Bureau on 0141 557 3220

Support for carers

 

Carers Link

Provide support to carers within EDC by offering 1:1 support, information, advocacy, courses, groups and overall listening to your needs to support you within your caring role.  

Visit the CarersLink website

Call Carers Link on 0800 975 2131

Autism parent and carer forum 

Local Area Co-ordinators

LAC’s run a monthly parent and carer forum for those who have a caring responsibility for someone on the autism spectrum (any age and any stage of diagnosis) – talks from invited speakers and peer support.

LACs@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Advice for options after school

 

Skills Development Scotland  

Support to look into appropriate further education options as well as providing some support to consider employment options, including apprenticeships.

Visit the Skills Development Scotland website

Call Skills Development Scotland on 0141 777 5860

Leaving school without a planned destination

No One Left Behind

Support to find and engage with post-school opportunities to gain skills and independence

maureen.oneill@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or Chelbie.donoghue@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Parents looking for support into employment

Parental Employment Programme

Supporting parents to access training, increase job prospects, and find employment.

Fiona.sherry@eastdunbarton.gov.uk 

Support preparing for, or finding employment

Enable

The Lennox Partnership

Local Area Co-ordinators

Enable: All-age support to find employment for those with an ASN facing barriers to finding work.

The Lennox Partnership: All-age support to prepare for and find suitable employment for anyone facing barriers to finding work, more suitable for those closer to the employment market.

Local Area Co-ordinators: Support for those with an Autism or Mild Learning Disability diagnosis (14+) to prepare for, find and sustain employment.

Enable - jamie.byrne@enable.org.uk 

The Lennox Partnership - Info@thelennoxpartnership.org  

Local Area Co-ordinators - LACs@eastdunbarton.gov.uk 

Finding volunteering experience

EDVA (East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action)

Assisting people within EDC to find positive volunteering opportunities, and providing ongoing support throughout.

Visit the EDVA website

Call EDVA on 0141 578 6680

Social opportunities and support for those in recovery (including mental health, grief, loneliness etc.) 

GRACE

A peer led organisation for adults that are dealing with some kind of recovery (mental health, alcohol, bereavement etc). They offer advice and support, activities and educational courses across East Dunbartonshire Council.

Visit the GRACE website

Facebook search ‘G.R.A.C.E.'

Staying up to date with local ASN opportunities 

Local Area Co-ordinators

The LAC’s send out a monthly newsletter highlighting local opportunities, services and events which might be of interest to the ASN community.

Email: LACs@eastdunbarton.gov.uk to be added to the mailing list

Information and support around Self Directed Support 

Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (formally known as ‘Take Control’ 

Offering advice and support to prepare for and manage Self Directed Support options (funded through social work).

Visit the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL) website

Call the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL) on 0141 776 2219

gcileastdunbartonshire@gcil.org.uk 

Information sessions about Autism & opportunities for younger people 

Creatovators

Running regular ‘You Are Not Alone’ Autism information sessions for families, as well a regular Playschemes 

Visit the Creatovators website

info@creatovators.com 

Local sports opportunities for young people of school age 

Active Schools 

Working closely with schools and local sports groups to support young people to engage with sporting opportunities 

Visit the Active Schools section of the EDLC website

Social work support for children with disabilities  

Children with Disabilities team 

Information about eligibility criteria available on webpage 

Visit the Socail Work teams section of the Health and Social Partnership website

Social work support for adults with a Learning Disability diagnosis

Joint Learning Disability Team

Information about eligibility criteria available on Visit the East Dunbartonshire Social Work Teams page

Visit the East Dunbartonshire Social Work Teams page

Support for those who are worried about alcohol or drug use

 

With You

East Dunbartonshire Alcohol and Drugs Recovery Service

 

With You: 1:1 advice and support for those who are concerned about alcohol or drug use, including trauma counselling

East Dunbartonshire Alcohol and Drugs Recovery Service: Multi-disciplinary team there to assess the needs of and support adults experiencing alcohol or drug problems

Visit the With You website

Visit the Alcohol and Drugs Recovery Service page

Training for parents and carers to learn more about Neurodiversity

'Supporting Autism and Neurodiversity’ sessions – Carers Link

Initial block of six sessions covering a range of topics to help educate parents and carers about Neurodiversity, and support strategies. 1:1 support also offered to discuss specific issues and training also available to teenagers who have recently received their diagnosis.    

Visit the Autism and Neurodiversity section of the Carers Link website

Legal advice & guidance about ASN education 

Enquire

Govan Law

Partners in Advocacy

Enquire: Scottish advice service for both parents, professionals and young people to know about legal rights and supports available while in education 

Govan Law: Providing free legal representation in appropriate education law cases to parents or pupils, as well as providing information and guides for pupils, parents and schools on aspects of education law – in particular ASN education.

Partners in Advocacy: Providing advocacy for young people in Scotland, including partnership working with My Rights My Say which provides education advocacy to those aged between 12-15 years

Visit the Enquire website

Visit the Govan Law Centre website

Visit the Partners in Advocacy website

Accessing support for specific issues faced by families with younger children (0-5 years)

Supporting Families team

Providing advice and support that is tailored to the individual needs of the family. Strategies and advice are evidenced, researched based, and designed to support and build your confidence as a parent/carer, promoting positive and secure relationships with children.

Visit the Parent and Family Learning page of the East Dunbartonshire Council website

Questions about local housing options and managing tenancies

East Dunbartonshire Council Housing team

Project 101

East Dunbartonshire Council Housing team: Applying for and sustaining council tenancies, support with issues relating to homelessness & general advice about housing.

Project 101: Supporting people (aged 14-25) to identify housing options, manage existing tenancies, and learn independent living skills – prioritising those facing homelessness due to current home situation.

Visit the East Dunbartonshire Housing Properties page of the East Dunbartonshire Council website

Visit the Project 101 page of the East Dunbartonshire Council website

Support for young people and their parents

Whole Family Wellbeing Team

Offering a range of services in key EDC areas for young people and their parents, including services such as sleep training, parent support, school-based social workers, young people Local Area Co-ordinators, youth work and home link work.

Visit the Whole Family Wellbeing Team page of the East Dunbartonshire Council website

Counselling for young people

Life Link

Free counselling sessions for young people of school age – can be contacted directly or through school for more information.

Visit the Life Link website

Information about Autism and advice about strategies and local/national services 

National Autistic Society

Scottish Autism advice line

Scottish Women’s Autism Network (SWAN)

National Autistic Society: A wealth of information about autism for individuals, families and professionals. Also running programmes for those on the spectrum and also offering training. 

Scottish Autism advice line: Free advice line to ask questions about Autism and supports available – running Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 10am-4pm. Also offering information about Scottish Autism’s ‘Get Set 4 Autism’ programme.

Scottish Women’s Autism Network (SWAN): Support for Autistic women (or identifying as women) across Scotland, over the age of 18.

Visit the National Autistic Society website

Visit the Scottish Autism website or call 01259 222 022 

Visit the SWAN Scotland website

Guidance, information and support for sleep issues with young people

 Sleep Action

Edinburgh based organisation offering Scotland-wide information and support for families of young people who have sleep difficulties.

Visit the Sleep Action website

If you are looking for advice or support with any other area, feel free to contact the Local Area Co-ordinators who can signpost you to other local services. 

This resource was created by East Dunbartonshire Council’s Local Area Co-ordinators, if you have any suggestions for how it could be updated or changed then please email LACs@eastdunbarton.gov.uk