USEFUL SERVICES AND LINKS

CHIP+ CHIP+ (Children in the Highlands Information Point) gives information, advice and support to the families of children and young people with Additional Support Needs, and to the professionals supporting them. Based in Inverness, it works throughout Highland to provide a friendly, reliable and confidential point of information on any issues of concern to families, from where to find funding for basic equipment, to help with challenging problems over education or health issues. Many families find CHIP+ particularly helpful at challenging times in a child’s life, such as on diagnosis or when approaching transitions of various kinds. CHIP+ was started over 20 years ago by parent/carers in the Highlands and is a first point of call for families in the Highlands who need further information, or would like to discuss, their child’s situation. CHIP+ provides a telephone helpline (or access to our staff in the Birnie Centre); a range of information packs for parent/carers and others; support for families at Child’s Plan meetings where necessary; a free lending library (with books also available by post); a termly newsletter, and regular training events and workshops. Where appropriate CHIP+ acts as a first stop shop, providing information and signposting families or professionals to specialist support. Tel: 01463 711189/720054 Email: info@chipplus.org.uk www.chipplus.org.uk

ADDERS
ADDERS promote awareness of ADHD, providing information and free
practical help to adults and children, and their families.
www.adders.org
 

ADVOCACY HIGHLAND
Advocacy Highland provide free & confidential independent advocacy advice
in Highland region for individuals of all ages, including young people, who
need to be supported to speak up about specific issues.
www.advocacy-highland.org.uk
 

BENEFIT ENQUIRY LINE – DIRECT GOV
www.gov.uk/disability-benefits-helpline
 

CAPABILITY SCOTLAND
Capability Scotland campaigns with, and provides education, employment
and care services for disabled children and adults across Scotland.
www.capability-scotland.org.uk
 

CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR FOUNDATION
A charity for people with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour
challenges, to improve understanding of challenging behaviour, empower
families with information and support, and to help others to provide better
services and more opportunities across the UK.
http://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/
 

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland

CONTACT A FAMILY
Contact a Family is a national charity which exists to support the families
of disabled children whatever their condition or disability.
www.cafamily.org.uk/scotland

DOWN'S SYNDROME SCOTLAND
Down's Syndrome Scotland work to help people with Down's Syndrome to
reach their full potential by providing information, services & support to them,
their families, carers & professionals.
www.dsscotland.org.uk

DYSLEXIA SCOTLAND
Dyslexia Scotland support people affected by dyslexia, and campaign on
their behalf, in many different ways. Whether through the helpline, branch
network or online.
www.dyslexiascotland.org.uk

EDUCATION LAW UNIT - GOVAN LAW CENTRE
The Education Law Unit works in partnership with schools, education
authorities, parents’ groups and charities across Scotland to make pupils’
rights and parents’ rights in education a reality.
www.edlaw.org.uk

EDUCATION SCOTLAND
This website includes information on Curriculum for Excellence,
Additional Support needs, GLO & resources for parents on Education.
www.educationscotland.gov.uk
 

ENABLE
ENABLE Scotland works with families living with learning disabilities
throughout Scotland. We support parents with children who have learning
disabilities from birth all the way through to adulthood. We also provide
parents who have learning disabilities with support.Whether you need to find
a service or branch in your local area or just need some advice we can help.
www.enable.org.uk

ERIC
ERIC is a childhood continence Charity who give information and support on
childhood bedwetting, daytime wetting, constipation and soiling to children,
young people, parents and professionals.
www.eric.org.uk

ENQUIRE
Enquire are the Scottish advice service for additional support for learning.
www.enquire.org.uk

FAMILY FUND
Family Fund  provide grants to low-income families raising disabled & seriously
ill children & young people. They can help with essential items such as
washing machines, fridges & clothing but also consider grants for sensory
toys, computers & much needed family breaks together.
www.familyfund.org.uk

FOR SCOTLAND’S DISABLED CHILDREN
The Scottish Government has funded Children in Scotland to undertake
participation work with parents of disabled children. for Scotland’s Disabled
Children aims to turn the good intentions of policy and legislation into better
lives for families with disabled children in four key areas: Education, Short
Breaks, Childcare & Education.
www.fsdc.org.uk

GIRFEC
An up to date guide on GIRFEC available through the Scottish Government
website. www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/gettingitright
 

HI-HOPE DIRECTORY
The Hi-Hope Handbook has information about choices, opportunities
and services available in the Highlands to support transition from school
to adulthood.
www.hi-hope.org

HIGHLAND CARERS ADVOCACY
Advocacy is a free service supporting carers to express their views and
opinions, sometimes speaking on your behalf. This can be through attending
meetings with you, helping you to write letters or make phone calls.
www.advocacy-highland.org.uk
 

HIGHLAND CHILDREN'S FORUM
Highland Children’s Forum is a registered charity created by the
parents/carers of children with additional support needs. The Forum aims
to ensure that the voices of these children are heard in the design and
provision of services in Highland.
www.highlandchildrensforum.org.uk

HIGHLAND COMMUNITY CARE FORUM –
CONNECTING CARERS
HCCF (Connecting Carers) is a voluntary organisation working
throughout Highland providing information, advice, support,
training and befriending services to unpaid carers.
www.highlandcommunitycareforum.org.uk
 

YOUNG CARERS
Connecting Young Carers can provide you with information and
support you in your role as a young carer. By connecting to our
growing network we hope you will be better informed, better
supported and better connected to other young carers.
www.connectingyoungcarers.org
 

MINDROOM
We provide one-to-one support for families affected, offer help and advice for
individuals and organisations who work with people with learning difficulties,
and strive to increase knowledge and understanding among policymakers.
www.mindroom.org
 

SENSE SCOTLAND
Non-profit organisation working with people who have impairments to
vision and hearing with or without other disabilities.
www.sensescotland.org.uk
 

SIGN
The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) develops
evidence based clinical practice guidelines for the National Health
Service (NHS) in Scotland.
www.sign.ac.uk
 

SLEEP SCOTLAND
A charity providing support to families of children and young people with
additional support needs and severe sleep problems.
www.sleepscotland.org
 

THE DYSPRAXIA FOUNDATION
The Dyspraxia Foundation is a country wide charity which exists to help
and inform parents and children with the condition.
www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
 

THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL - SUPPORT FOR LEARNERS
http://www.highland.gov.uk/info/886/schools_-_additional_support_needs/
 

THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL – INCOME MAXIMISATION TEAM
TEL 0800 090 1004
 

THE NEW UNIVERSAL CHILD'S PLAN
http://www.forhighlandschildren.org/5-practiceguidance/
 

TOURETTE SCOTLAND
A registered Charity dedicated to providing support & information to people
living with Tourette Syndrome.
www.tourettescotland.org
 

TURN 2 US
Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits,
charitable grants & other financial help – online, by phone & face to face
through their partner organisations.
www.turn2us.org.uk
 

YOUNG MINDS
Young Minds is a charity working with children, young people, their families
& the professionals who support them for better mental health & wellbeing.
www.youngminds.org.uk