This document discusses a national training, outreach and helpline service for kinship carers in Scotland called ParentLine Scotland. The service provides a helpline, advocacy, mediation and ongoing case management support for over 6000 kinship carers annually. It aims to help kinship carers find their voice and access the right support for issues like family relationships, legal concerns, stress and a child's safety. The service also conducts outreach, training, events and policy work to better support kinship carers and fill any gaps in existing resources and groups.

2. Helping kinship carers find their voice – a national training, outreach and helpline service

3. Helpline, advocacy and mediation phone, email, website hotline number only for kinship carers extended opening hours from June weekends and evenings

4. About ParentLine Scotland national, Scottish Government funded volunteer led and operated over 6000 contacts annually 25% from extended family members

5. Common concerns family relationships contact/residence legal issues stress/anxiety concerns about a child’s safety substance misuse

6. More… ongoing support through case management advocate/mentor if needed training resources and events family group conferencing

7. Policy, outreach, capacity building mapping – what’s there and what isn’t groups, services, policies, supports regional carer & professional events annual kinship care conference podcasts, newsletters, web info, social networking

8. More… listening to cared for children and young people finding “hidden” kinship care families work in partnership, avoid duplication find the gaps, fill them!

9. In carers’ words: “ We get tired – it would be nice to have some time together…family support workers to help when an issue arises…no jargon in any leaflet…for social work to supply proper info…I worry if something happens to me, what will happen to my grandson…for CHILDREN 1 ST not to make things too bureaucratic”

10. From the mouths of babes: “ I wish I could have sleepovers with my mum and dad….I wish for a dinosaur…to go to Disneyland Paris…to see my mum more….I wish my family never had fights…I’d like a dog…I wish my sister never dies….to visit the zoo”

11. A two-fold legacy enable future generations of kinship carers and their families can access the right support at the right time “ equip” carers and their families emotionally and practically to influence “their worlds”

12. Contacts: ParentLine Scotland 0800 028 2233 Kate Higgins, Policy Manager 0131 446 2323 [email_address] sign up today!