Tag: Children and Families

Save on Easter childcare egg-spenses in Scotland with Tax-Free Childcare

  • Working families encouraged to cut the cost of Easter childcare by signing up to Tax-Free Childcare
  • Latest figures show 36,120 families in Scotland saved on their childcare bills in December 2025
  • More than £46 million in government cash helped with childcare costs for almost 660,000 children

More than 36,100 families in Scotland saved money on their childcare in December as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) urges families to sign up before booking their Easter holiday childcare.

Working families who sign up to Tax-Free Childcare can make yearly savings of £2,000 off their childcare costs for each of their children up to the age of 11 and £4,000 for disabled children up to the age of 16.

Visit GOV.UK to check eligibility and register for Tax-Free Childcare.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “£2,000 a year off childcare bills can make a big difference to household expenses. There are plenty of childcare providers to choose from to suit your needs and your children’s interests – sign up today to make those savings for the Easter school holidays and for your plans for the rest of the year. Go to GOV.UK to find out more.” 

Once a Tax-Free Childcare account has been opened for each child, for every £8 deposited, the government tops it up by £2. A total of £46.6 million in government cash was added to accounts in December, the latest figures show, contributing to the cost of childcare for almost 660,000 children.

A family can save up to £500 every three months for each child (£1,000 every three months if the child is disabled) which can be used to pay for any approved childcare. 

Parents can choose from thousands of providers now accepting Tax-Free Childcare as payment including wraparound care or childminders for term time care, or holiday clubs and workshops during the school holidays. 

Once an account is open, parents can deposit money to use straight away or keep it in the account for whenever it’s needed. Any unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time.   

Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if they:   

  • have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. If their child has a disability, they receive up to £4,000 a year to help with higher childcare costs that are often involved, until 1 September after their 16th birthday   
  • the parent and their partner (if they have one) earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average   
  • each earn no more than £100,000 per annum   
  • do not receive Universal Credit or childcare vouchers    

Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside the free childcare hours, subject to eligibility. 

Funding boost for Outdoor Play across Scotland

Children and families across Scotland will soon benefit from expanded outdoor play  opportunities, as 41 organisations receive funding to develop local initiatives. 

Three Edinburgh projects are set to receive funding:

  • Bridgend Farmhouse £15,625.00
  • Smart Play Network £15,972.00
  • Wester Hailes Growing Communities £19,751.00

The Outdoor Community Play Fund, managed by Inspiring Scotland on behalf of the Scottish  Government, supports free, child‑led outdoor play in communities where it can have the  greatest impact.  

Outdoor play is essential for healthy childhoods, stronger families, and thriving communities.  Access to this funding ensures that children living in Scotland’s most deprived areas, as well  as those in rural and remote communities, can access safe, high-quality and inclusive play  opportunities. 

Minister for Children, Young People, and The Promise Natalie Don-Innes said: “We want Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow up. Playing outside is great for  children’s health and happiness. 

“For the first time, local grassroots groups in rural areas will receive funding to create  opportunities for children to play outside in rural parts of Scotland, and the fund will also  continue to support play charities to create opportunities for children in the most deprived  areas to play outside. 

“While the funding supports opportunities for outdoor play all-year-round, with the warmer  months approaching it’s a great time to find out what outdoor play is on near you. I’m really  pleased the Scottish Government can help make this happen.”  

Twenty-two Scottish charities working in the most deprived communities will receive funding  support to deliver free, child‑led outdoor play.

Outdoor play will be delivered using the Play  Ranger model, helping children build confidence, develop social skills, and enjoy nature in a  way that supports their wellbeing and development. 

A further 19 grassroots groups in rural and remote areas will receive funding to develop  sustainable outdoor play provision that reflects the needs, geography, and character of local  communities.

The aim of this funding is to help smaller community organisations overcome  barriers, build capacity, and commence delivery of outdoor play for children and families. 

OutLET: Play Resource, one of the organisations to receive funding, said: “We are delighted  to have received Outdoor Community Play funding this year.

“This valuable funding ensures  we can continue delivering our Wellwoods programme, providing inclusive, high-quality  outdoor play experiences for children and their caregivers.

“Families tell us these  opportunities are a lifeline – providing a welcoming space where they can support their  wellbeing, and feel confident enjoying their local woodlands and greenspaces for play,  connection and growth.”  

In addition to managing the fund, Inspiring Scotland plays a central role in strengthening the  sector by offering funded organisations a wide range of support to build capacity and share  best practice nationally.

Through hands-on guidance, practical tools, and strategic advice,  Inspiring Scotland helps enhance the quality and effectiveness of third sector delivery across the country.

Funded organisations also benefit from support to secure match funding,  increasing investment in communities experiencing high levels of deprivation as well as  those in rural and remote areas. 

Julia Abel, Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland, said: “This welcomed investment recognises what the evidence has long shown: outdoor play is  essential for children’s wellbeing, development, and long-term outcomes.

“Inspiring Scotland  is proud to continue to collaborate with community organisations nationwide to create high quality, inclusive outdoor play opportunities that build resilience, strengthen families, and  improve life chances.”  

Funding will support the delivery of outdoor play opportunities and contribute directly to the  ambitions set out in the Scottish Government’s Play: Vision Statement and Action Plan.

By  investing in locally‑led outdoor play, the fund aims to strengthen community resilience,  support parents and families, improve wellbeing, and enable more children to enjoy  everyday play in nature.

Outdoor Community Play Awards by LADownload

North Edinburgh Community Festival launch event this Saturday

You’re invited to the Festival Launch this Saturday 28 March, 12–2pm at the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre!!

The young people in our Festival Futures programme have been hard at work organising the North Edinburgh Community Festival launch.

On the day, they’ll be running and managing a mini‑festival packed with community stalls, sports activities, a games hub, live music and great food.

We’d love to see you there. Free entry, and everyone is welcome!

Financial support for care leavers

One-off payment to reduce financial barriers

A one-off payment of £2,000 will help every young person leaving care or continuing care from next month as they move towards adulthood.

The payment will benefit around 1,300 young people who leave care every year in Scotland. It was co-designed with input from young people with care experience to help support them as they move on from care and into adulthood and independent living, with some suggesting during consultation that it could help them with driving lessons or a new laptop to assist with studies.

The Care Leaver Payment forms part of the Scottish Government’s work to Keep ‘the Promise’ to Scotland’s care experienced young people by 2030.

The Scottish Government is fully funding the payment, and has worked in partnership with COSLA to ensure it will be delivered automatically to young people as they leave care by local authorities.

Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for The Promise, met young people with care experience who stand to receive the payment at Falkirk Champs, a group led by care experienced young people working to drive positive change for their peers.

https://twitter.com/i/status/2036492977694982636

Ms Don-Innes said: “We know that care experienced people do not necessarily have the same informal support network that other young people have during transition points in their lives, and how crucial support during their transition to adulthood can be.

“Through close-working with young people we have designed a payment that will help young people leaving care with additional financial security during this important period.

“This is yet another strand of our work to keep the Promise, alongside wider work including the transformative supports now underpinned by the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) Bill recently passed by Parliament.”

Joseph, 13, is a care-experienced champion at Falkirk Champs who lives in kinship care with his family. He will receive the payment when he leaves care. Joseph said:

“I think the Care Leaver’s Payment is good, and I will probably use it towards driving lessons or to give me a chance to travel. I would also like to be a chef, and it could help me buy tools and equipment that would help me in my career.”

Sarah Stow, Champions Board Coordinator at Falkirk Champs, said: “The Care leavers payment is one of the many small but vital things that need to happen to help Scotland keep its promise to the Care Community.

“These young people are ours and we need to invest in their futures – I think about this payment as the nest egg a grandparent or parent might save for their loved one.

“A wee step up for our children at a time when they are ready to move forward.”

Supporting parents and carers to work

Thousands of families to gain new opportunities to learn, earn and thrive

As a result of £21 million of new, targeted investment in colleges and skills, families at risk of poverty will receive additional support to train, to help them enter stable, well-paid work or progress in their career.

The Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan includes £9 million for a Raising Income through Skills and Education (RISE) Fund, which will give parents and carers practical help to build new skills – offering training they can fit around family life, along with essential support with childcare, travel, and study costs.

A £2 million Training Access Fund will support working adult learners most at risk of poverty to access skills training, to give them the chance to earn more and build a stable career.

A new £10 million Flexible Workforce Development Fund will aim to incentivise businesses to offer training opportunities to parents earning low incomes in a way that meets employer needs while helping working parents and carers increase their earning potential and progress in their careers.

Further Education Minister Ben Macpherson said: “We are committed to making sure that education and training works for everyone, especially those who need it most, as part of our wider efforts to eradicate poverty in Scotland.

“Every person deserves opportunities to build a better future for themselves and their household. This £21 million package of targeted investment in skills will help remove barriers to training, such as childcare and transport costs, which can too often stand between parents and the skills that they need to get on in work.”

Gavin Donoghue, Chief Executive of Colleges Scotland, said: “Colleges are strong community anchors across the country, and the funding pledged kick starts a range of ways that colleges can accelerate and expand programmes that support people to leave poverty.

“The investment into more anti-poverty programmes is welcome recognition of the huge part that colleges play in making people’s lives better.

“Colleges are an opportunity that works, serving learners from some of Scotland’s most deprived communities and are a driving force for social good in every part of the country.”

Jacqui Brasted, Scottish Funding Council Director of Access, Learning and Outcomes, said: “Every child should have the opportunity to flourish. Scotland’s colleges can play a vital role in transforming lives by providing a lasting route out of poverty.

“They offer access to the skills and education needed to support families enter, remain and progress in work. We are delighted to be working with Colleges Scotland to ensure that the welcome funding provided by the Scottish Government is targeted where it is needed most.”

Improving maternity services

New maternity standards to improve consistency and quality of care

Clear information about the standards women and their families can expect during their maternity care has been published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. 

The standards set out that patients should receive safe and compassionate care throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, regardless of where they live or their individual circumstances, and that care should be responsive to each woman’s individual needs. 

The standards cover all aspects of maternity care, from antenatal appointments through to postnatal support, emergency care, mental health and wellbeing, and bereavement care. They apply across all settings, including hospitals, community services, midwifery units, and home births, and support NHS boards to actively work to reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for women and their babies.

Once implemented, Healthcare Improvement Scotland will use the standards to drive this improvement, informing inspection and assurance activities across NHS boards.

Public Health and Women’s Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “The safety of women and babies is paramount.

“We commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland to develop the Maternity Care Standards, and I am grateful for their work to improve the quality and consistency of maternity care for women, babies, and families across Scotland. 

“Every woman deserves to feel safe, supported and listened to during pregnancy and beyond. These standards recognise that some women face additional barriers to getting the care they need and set out a clear commitment to making sure maternity services work equally well for everyone — whatever their background or circumstances.”

Melissa Dowdeswell, Director of Nursing and Integrated Care, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “We are pleased to have published maternity care standards that set clear expectations for how maternity care should be delivered in Scotland. 

“The standards aim to promote consistency and improve the quality of maternity services across the country. They set out a blueprint for what good maternity care looks like and detail the levels of high-quality care and support that all women should expect to receive before, during and after birth. 

“During the development of the standards, we spoke to women from many different backgrounds, who shared their experiences of being pregnant and giving birth in Scotland. Their voices were central to the creation of the standards.

“We heard that women need to feel confident that a high-level of safe, effective and person-centred care will be consistently delivered in all maternity units across Scotland regardless of individual circumstances or needs.

“The development of these standards is a commitment to making sure this happens.”

The Poverty Alliance: Tacking the stigma of poverty

How can we reduce the prejudice and judgement that’s too-often placed on people on low incomes?

Our research team worked with SPIRU at Glasgow Caledonian University and the Wales Centre for Public Policy | Canolfan Polisi Cyhoeddus Cymru to see what the evidence says.

https://wcpp.org.uk/…/Policy-brief-What-works-to-reduce…

Policy-brief-What-works-to-reduce-poverty-stigma-February-2026Download

Families urged not to miss out on financial support this National Single Parents Day

Support worth up to £26,000 by a child’s 16th birthday

One parent families are being urged to check if they are eligible for social security support this National Single Parents Day (21 March 2026).

Lone parent families make up 24% of all families in Scotland with 87% headed by women. As one of the household types most vulnerable to financial pressures, they are disproportionately affected by the cost-of-living crisis, often cutting back on essentials. Research shows 70% have no or low savings and are more likely to be in debt or arrears.

Social Security Scotland’s package of support for families – including Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, could make a difference to household budgets. Updated calculations for 2026/27 show they could be worth £11,000 by the time an eligible child turns six, and around £26,000 by the time a child turns 16. This compares to less than £2,000 for families in England and Wales, where support ends when an eligible child turns four.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville is urging all parents and carers — including single parents — to find out if they are eligible.

Ms Somerville said: “We know that families are struggling to make ends meet and National Single Parents Day is a timely reminder that lone parent families are particularly vulnerable, but help is available.

“The Scottish Government is providing families right across Scotland with the best cost-of-living support package in the UK. This financial support can boost household incomes and help families pay for everyday essentials such as nutritious food and clothes, helping to ensure a child’s circumstances doesn’t stop them getting the best start in life.”

Satwat Rehman, Chief Executive of One Parent Families Scotland, added: “Too many single parents are still facing the daily challenge of making ends meet. With four in ten children in single parent families living in poverty, financial support such as the Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grants can make a real difference.

“These payments provide vital help directly to families who need it most, easing the pressure of rising living costs and helping ensure children have the essentials they need to thrive. One Parent Families Scotland is proud to continue working alongside Social Security Scotland to support single parents understand and access the support they are entitled to.”

Michelle Goldie, a single mum of three from Edinburgh said: “As a single parent, Scottish Child Payment has been a huge help to me. I have three young daughters, and the extra money allows us to do activities together and enables the girls to attend clubs.

“I feel that there is a stigma around being a single parent and around asking for help which is a shame as it may put people off from applying. I encourage all parents, including single parents, to check if they are eligible for support and get the help they are entitled to. It may make all the difference.”

National Single Parents Day is celebrated annually on 21 March to recognise the dedication of single parents and highlight available support.

Aldi is looking for parents in Edinburgh and the Lothians to join new panel

UP TO £400 IN SHOPPING VOUCHERS AND FREE PRODUCTS UP FOR GRABS

Aldi has announced it is on the lookout for parents in Edinburgh and the Lothians to join its new Aldi Parent Panel – offering families the chance to bag up to £400 in shopping vouchers and free products, in return for their valuable input into future family focused products and initiatives. 

Aldi, who was recently named as Supermarket of the Year at the 2026 Loved By Parents Awards, is inviting parents of children ranging from babies through to teenagers to apply, with successful applicants reflecting the diversity of family life across the UK. 

Those selected will be asked to take part in short surveys and product reviews at key points throughout the year, helping to inform Aldi’s family-focused initiatives and wider customer experience. In return, parents will receive £100 in Aldi vouchers every time they complete a survey, alongside free Mamia products and selected Specialbuys. 

In total, 10 parents from across the UK will be selected to take part in the panel. 

Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “Families rely on Aldi every day, and it’s important that we continue to listen to what really matters to them. The Aldi Parent Panel gives parents from across the UK the opportunity to play a role in shaping how we support families – from the products we offer to the experience we provide in-store and beyond. 

“We want the panel to reflect families of all shapes, sizes and experiences, so we can continue delivering the quality and value Aldi is known for.” 

Parents who would like to apply to join the Aldi Parent Panel are invited to submit either a short written application (up to 200 words) or a short video explaining why they would like to take part.

Applications should be sent to aldiparentpanel@aldi.co.uk by Wednesday 15th April 2026. 

For more information, please visit: https://www.aldipresscentre.co.uk/terms-and-conditions-for-aldi-parent-panel-the-panel/  

The launch of the Aldi Parent Panel follows the return of the Mamia New Parent Fund for 2026, which will see Aldi will give away £100 vouchers every week for 12 months – totalling £5,200 – to help parents cover the cost of essentials including nappies, wipes, baby food pouches and toiletries. 

Bill to keep ‘the Promise’ passed

Right to lifelong advocacy and enhanced support for all care leavers

A lifelong entitlement to advocacy services for all care experienced people will ensure their voices are better heard after MSPs backed landmark legislation to accelerate delivery of ‘the Promise’. 

The Children (Care, Care Experience, and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill underpins delivery of the Scottish Government’s response to the independent care review, and commitment to keep the Promise. The Bill was passed in a final Stage 3 vote in the Scottish Parliament. 

The Bill will extend aftercare support currently available for 16-to-26 year olds who were in care on their 16th birthday to those who had left care before that point – including help with accommodation, education, employment and wellbeing.  

It includes provisions to drive reforms to the Children’s Hearing System, including remunerated Panel chairs to help reduce delays and increase capacity, to ensure the system better meet the needs of children and families. 

Residential childcare providers will have to provide financial information to Ministers, and a Residential Childcare Futures Reference Group will be established.

This group will draw together partners from national and local government, social work, and organisations representing care-experienced people to ensure the needs of children and young people are foremost in residential care.

It will consider definitions of profit and provide future advice to Ministers on further regulation to limit profit.  

Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children, Young People & The Promise said: “This legislation will deliver a very strong package of further change that will help improve the lives of people across Scotland with care experience and those who care for them. It represents a significant milestone and will accelerate progress towards keeping the Promise.  

“I am grateful to everyone across the care experienced community who helped to shape the Bill, and to MSPs across the Parliament whose engagement has resulted in a legislative package that will help greatly improve the support available.

“This legislation is an essential part of our wider on-going programme of work to keep the Promise, and will help to deliver the change which the 5,500 voices that informed the Independent Care Review told us must happen.” 

Discussions with MSPs from across the chamber led to Scottish Government amendments to the Bill, which will deliver enhanced support for kinship carers. These include strengthening the role of family group decision making, and making it easier for eligible kinship families to access financial, practical and advocacy support through a comprehensive needs-based assessment from their local authority.