One Parent Families Scotland
13 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh EH1 3NX
Helpline: 0808 801 0323
Tel: 0131 556 3899
Fax: 0131 557 7899
Email: info@opfs.org.uk
 

Welcome

Free Membership to Lone Parents...

The main sections are explained below.
Click on the menu bar at the top of the screen to explore them...

...or use our online HelpDesk

Links...

Scotland's Families
One Parent Families
Single Parents Action Network
Royal Bank of Scotland Community Investment

Help with parenting and family issues: OK to Ask

Lesbian Mothers Information

Factsheet: Changes to Income Support & Jobseeker's Allowance
Download the factsheet...

Maintenance Disregard on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
From today (27th October 2008), any child maintenance payments will be totally disregarded for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit purposes.
This means that many lone parents will receive even more financial help with paying their rent and Council Tax. Check with your local authority Revenue & Benefits Department to ensure your maintenance payments are now being disregarded.

Child Maintenance Bonus
The Child Maintenance Bonus officially ends today (27th October 2008).
Any lone parent who has been accruing a Bonus under the old Child Support Agency rules must move into employment by the 26th November 2008 to claim the Bonus. A lone parent then has a further four weeks to claim the bonus. Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus office for a Child Maintenance Bonus claim form CMB1. Otherwise the Bonus will be lost.

The Parent Trap: Covering childcare costs while studying
Lone parents have been struggling to find funding to cover their childcare costs while studying at college this year. Some colleges experienced an increased demand on their childcare fund and this has meant that some lone parents could not continue with their studies this year. If this has happened to you, One Parent Families Scotland would like to hear from you. Please email Sue Rew.
The National Union of Students in Scotland has mounted a campaign calling on the Scottish Government to make funding available to all parents who are studying at college.
www.theparenttrap.org.uk

Seminar:
Young Parents: A Better Start
An Integrated Approach to Policy and Practice
A seminar aimed at staff working in health, education, parenting, early years, youth services, housing and community organisations who are keen to develop integrated planning and practice to ensure the best start for young parents and their children.
Download the flyer and booking form...

New Briefings on Welfare Reform and Lone Parents
We have produced 3 new briefings on welfare reform which will be circulated to MSP's and other Politicians. These cover:

The implications for lone parents of moving from Income Support to Job Seeker Allowance.
Download 'Changes in Welfare Benefit - The Implications for Lone Parents in Scotland' (PDF)...

The implications of the changes for lone parents whose families have a disability.
Download 'Employability issues for Lone Parent Families affected by Disability' (PDF)

The new Green Paper which has been produced for consultation on abolishing Income Support.
Download 'No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility' (PDF)

Free Training on Tax Credits
We have funding from HMRC to deliver a series of short courses on tax credits for childcare agencies and community organisations between October 2008 and March 2009.
Download the details and booking form (MS Word)...

Lone Parent Rights Guide: Essential information for lone parents
Lone Parent Rights Guide factsheets are now available, updated for 2008.
These 11 factsheets contain essential information on a range of issues for lone parents and organisations working with lone parents including benefits, tax credits, maternity rights, legal issues, childcare and maintenance. Copies can be acquired from the HelpDesk area of the website or by contacting the Lone Parent Helpline on 0808 801 0323.

Wanted - Media Volunteers
One Parent Families Scotland is looking for lone parents who are willing to speak to the media.
We are frequently approached by journalists from newspapers, magazines, radio and television requesting an interview with lone parents on a variety of issues. If you have burning issues that you feel you would like to express to the press, then please get in touch with Susan Rew at OPFS on 0131 556 3899 or email susanrew@opfs.org.uk.

Lone Parent Helpline
Free phone: 0808 801 0323
The Lone Parent Helpline Calls are free from landlines and the following mobile networks: Vodafone, 3, Orange, Virgin, T Mobile.
Mon - Fri: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Lone Parent Helpline Website...

Sign up for our monthly Email Newsletter
If you want a regular update of what OPFS is doing, sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter. You will be put on the mailing list and receive copies once a month.
Sign up here