Scotland’s route map through and out of the COVID-19 crisis
(May 2020)
The latest guidance from the Scottish Government which sets out plans for exiting lockdown.
Current National Advice
We understand that this is a difficult time for families with an overload of information. On this page we aim to provide quick links that will take you to the most key information.
Click on the links below for current national information.
Childline
Childline
Comforts, advises and protects children 24 hours per day and offers free confidential counselling.
PHONE 08001111
Coronavirus - school and ELC closures: guidance on critical childcare and learning provision for key workers
Guidance setting out what childcare and learning provision we expect to be made available to key workers during closures of school and early learning and childcare (ELC) settings to deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
List of Childcare Provision in Highland for Keyworkers.
Information for parents on the closure of childcare services
On 19 March 2020, the Deputy First Minister announced that all local authority schools and nurseries in Scotland would be closing from the end of the school day on Friday 20 March 2020, as part of the Scottish Government’s response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, unless they are involved in the provision of emergency childcare
Click here to access the information for parents from the Scottish Government
Thinkuknow - stay safe online
‘Thinkuknow’ is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline. This site is full of useful information and tips for both parents and young people to stay safe, stay protected online.
Latest advice from Scottish Government/NHS - updated regularly
See guidance and information from the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland
Click here to access further information
Mikeysline - you are not alone!
Mikeysline – you are not alone!
If you are feeling low, anxious, depressed or even just need a chat, contact Mikeysline via:
Facebook = @MikeyslineYANA to request a callback
Text = 07779 303 303
Mind - for better mental health
Mind – for better mental health
Lots of things you can try that could help your wellbeing.
NHS Advice - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Latest guidance about COVID-19 from NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government, including social distancing and stay at home advice.
Need medical assistance?
What to do if you have coronavirus symptoms
Continue to stay at home if you have either:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home.
NHS - Mental Health Helplines
Mental health helplines from the NHS
Whether you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, the NHS has collated useful links to support groups that can offer expert advice.
Police Scotland - Advice on ‘Shut out Scammers’
Useful poster of strategies from POLICE SCOTLAND to ensure we keep money safe and ‘shut out the scammers’!
Parentline Scotland
Parentline Scotland recognises that every family needs a helping hand sometimes and you will find a wealth of information on their site, including:
- Talking to children about coronavirus
- Staying at home with your family
- Keeping kids entertained at home
Call FREE for expert advice 7 days per week 08000 28 22 33
World Health Organisation - Coping with stress poster - It’s normal to feel stressed, confused, scared or angry during a crisis.
World Health Organisation
Useful poster to download with top tips and strategies for coping with stress during this difficult time
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger
This service is FREE and open 24 hours for crisis support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.
- If you need urgent help text YM to 85258 – all texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) - Parent Pack
A useful pack with Health and Safety advice to help prevent accidents around the home.
NSPCC - Depression, anxiety and mental health issues with children and young people
Depression, anxiety and mental health
If you’re worried a child may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety about coronavirus (COVID-19), we’ve got advice to help you support them
Sleep Scotland
Scottish Child Law Centre – Telephone Advice Line
The Scottish Law Centre advice line is available for everyone who is looking for free legal advice on Children’s Rights and Scots Child Law.
Contact Number: 0131 667 6333
Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 16:00.
Children and young people can call for free:
If using a landline: 0800 328 8970
If using a mobile: 0300 3301421.
Should you require any additional advice or representation, seek independent legal advice, assistance or to instruct representation Ito protect your interests, visit the Law Society of Scotland website which contains a directory of practising solicitors.
Useful Contacts
Latest from our blog
Highland and Moray Local Information
Click on the tabs below to find useful links for help in your area.
North Highland
Food banks
- Trussell Trust – Thurso and Wick
- Blythswood foodbanks – details of those open across Scotland at present 24/3/20
Financial help
- Step Change Debt Charity
- Caithness Citizens Advice Bureau
- Scottish Welfare Fund – Highland Council
Volunteering
Central Highland
Food banks
Financial help
- Citizens Advice Bureau – Inverness/Badenoch and Strathspey
Volunteering
- Hi-hope – volunteering in Highland
- Volunteer Scotland
- Birchwood – Highland
- Befriender – Highland
- Highland Hospice
West Highland
Food bank
Financial Advice
Volunteering
South Highland
Moray
Foodbank
Financial Advice
Childcare provision for key workers during COVID-19
Highland wide
Highland News updates
Keep up to date with news from Highland Council
Highland Community Planning Partnership
Mental Health and Wellbeing COVID-19 Resource
Highland Council
If you are looking for Highland local authority information about issues such as school, changes to services (buses, EMS, homeless services) Click here
Tel: 0300 303 1362
Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI)
Highland Community COVID-19 Response
HTSI has launched a new website to deal with Third Sector issues related to COVID-19 in Highland. HTSI state:
“The Highland Third Sector Interface are working closely with our partners in the Third and Public Sectors and in the community to support the wide range of community support developing in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. This website is intended to provide information which will assist individuals and community groups undertaking work to support people experiencing the impacts of the outbreak and to mitigate the most harmful of those”
Cyber Resilience COVID-19 Bulletin
/0 Comments/in Child Protection, Covid -19 /by ICT AdminThe Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit has released a new Cyber Resilience COVID-19 Bulletin. The bulletin shares important cyber security information. The Cyber Resilience Unit state that there is a “significant rise in COVID-19 related scams” and they aim to update the bulletin regularly. Keep up to date with the most relevant information from the […]