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ADULT BASIC EDUCATION:
A range of groups and courses are available free to any adult who wants to improve their reading, writing, spelling, maths and communication skills. Tuition is provided throughout West Lothian.
For more information contact:
Adult Learning Centre, 6-10 Glasgow Road, Bathgate, EH48 2AA.
Tel:  01506 776333

BARNARDO'S HAZEL GROVE:
Family Assessment Service is a Barnardo's project funded in association with West Lothian Council, which provides a service for families with children aged 11 years and under. Family Assessment Service support families which can include individual assessment, therapeutic work with children, family assessment/family work, advice on parenting, groups for children and parents and family group conferences.
For more information contact:
Barnardo's Hazel Grove, 6-8 Hazel Grove, Livingston, EH54 5JW.
Tel:  01506 438666

BREAST FEEDING STRATEGY GROUP:
This is an ongoing group to promote breast feeding of infants through promotion by an interagency committee. It covers the whole of West Lothian and is managed by West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust.
For more information contact:
Doreen Trainor, Locality Manager, Strathbrock Centre, 189a West
Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5LH. Tel:  01506 771843

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES:
To ensure that children, young people and families can overcome special needs and disadvantages in order to maximise their potential. Children and young people deserve a head start in their lives. As well as providing the statutory child protection services, we are now re-focusing on on the importance of preventative work with young families to help them cope with the pressures of parenting.
For young people who are unable to cope with a range of difficulties, we will address these issues and work with them to resolve their problems, e.g. offending behaviour, truancy, drug/substance misuse, bullying and being out of parental control.
For more information contact your local Social Work Centre as follows:
Bathgate - 01506 776700,  Livingston - 01506 777777,  Broxburn - 01506 775666

CHILDCARE INFORMATION SERVICE:
A telephone helpline and website based service which provides information on childcare in West Lothian and nationally. A leaflet describing the service is available. Helpline:  01506 776660  or the website - www.childcarelink.gov.uk/westlothian

For more information contact:
Childcare Co-ordinator, West Lothian Council, Education Services, Lindsay House, Bathgate, EH48 1TS.
Tel:  01506 776124

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE:
This service, managed by West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust, offers a single entry point into health and local authority services for pre-school children with special needs and can offer parent support groups. The centre covers the whole of West Lothian and is based in Beatlie School Campus.
For more information contact:
Louise Jarman or Katla Gamble, Beatlie School Campus, The Mall, Craigshill, Livingston, EH54 5DZ.
Tel:  01506 777598

CHILD DISABILITY SERVICE:
The Child Disability Service assesses the needs of children with disabilities and their families and offers a range of service provisions including direct work with families and practical resources. In addition the service provides the same range of services as those offered by the other Children and Families Practice Teams.
Child Disability Service, West Lothian Council, Lomond House, Beveridge Square, Livingston, EH54 6QF.
Tel: 01506 773789

CHILDMINDERS:
Childminders work in their own homes looking after other people's children and care for up to five children under 8 years old. They must be registered by the Registration and Inspection Service and police, health, safety and social checks are also carried out. Childminders are widespread throughout West Lothian.
For more information contact:
Care Commission, Stuart House, Eskmills, Musselburgh, EH21 7PB.
Tel: 0131 653 4100

CIRCLE WEST LOTHIAN:
Circle West Lothian provides intensive support to children and families affected by parental drug and/or alcohol use in West Lothian. Services include:

• Support to parents with parenting issues and on developing a safer lifestyle

• Encouraging and supporting parents to engage with drug and alcohol services

• Individual and group support to children and adults

• Support to access other services for children and families

Referrals can be made by a parent or a professional.
Circle West Lothian, Blackburn Homeless Unit, 151 Rowan Drive, Blackburn,
EH47 7NZ.  Tel: 01506 653360 or email hearth@fsu.org.uk

DAY CARERS:
Day carers provide care and support to pre-school children in need and their families. Carers are employed to provide care in their own homes and are registered as childminders (certain criteria applies). Carers are located throughout West Lothian and their service is managed by West Lothian Council.
For more information contact:
West Lothian Council, Social Work Centre, Cheviot House, Owen Square, Livingston, EH54 6PW.
Tel:  01506 777777

DRUG & ALCOHOL SERVICE (WEST LOTHIAN):
This service offers general advice, individual counselling, family support, sex education etc. for people with drug, alcohol, smoking and health needs. This group covers the whole of West Lothian and is managed by an independent voluntary organisation.
For more information contact:
Drug & Alcohol Service, 67 Adelaide Street, Craigshill, Livingston, EH54 5HQ.
Tel:  01506 430225
The 'Stop Smoking' Clinic at St.John's Hospital can be contacted on 01506 523871

DRUG TEAM (SOCIAL WORK):
This team aims to provide an accessible and flexible service to individuals and families wishing to take positive action to address drug related problems. The team can be contacted by phone and an appointment to meet with a drug worker will be offered within seven days. Clients will have the opportunity to explore problems, consider optionsand make choices about what action they wish to take.
For more information contact:
Tel:  01506 775666 - Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

FIRST STEPS PLAYGROUP:
This is a playgroup for children with special needs, providing year round provision for 1-5 year olds and 3-5 year olds may be in "split placements". The service is run by an independent voluntary organisation and is available to families who live in West Lothian with limited transport available in some areas.
For more information contact:
First Steps Playgroup, Beatlie School Campus, The Mall, Craigshill, Livingston, EH54 5DZ.
Tel:  01506 777883

GENERAL PRACTITIONERS - CHILD HEALTH SURVEILLANCE:
GPs and Health Visitors work with the West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust to monitor development of pre-school children. They carry out development assessments of every pre-school child. Almost all GPs in West Lothian are included in this service.
For more information: Please contact your Health Visitor

HOME-START:
Home-Start is a local home visiting scheme providing a confidential, preventative service between the individual family and the Home-Start volunteer. Home-Start is committed to promoting the welfare of local families under stress where there is at least one child under five. Volunteers are trained and offer friendship, regular support and practical help to prevent family stress.
For more information contact:
Kathryn Howieson or Carol Ann Fordyce, Co-ordinators
Telephone: 01506 854529

LINK PARENT SUPPORT:
Link is open to any parent or carer of a child with special needs and provides a mutual support and information service in a group session. Information and support is also available by phone or email. A large library of books and videos are available on different conditions. Link has produce a comprehensive directory of services which shows support groups and information for a wide range of additional needs services. The directory can be obtained from Link or from education, health or social work establishments.
Tel:  n/a
email:  linksupport.wl@btinternet.com
Website:  www.linksupport.wl.btinternet.co.uk

NEW DEAL FOR LONE PARENTS:
New Deal for Lone Parents offers the chance to refresh or learn new skills to increase the chance of gaining employment. A specialist advisor helps to draw up a personal action plan and can give co-ordinated information on childcare, employment, educational opportunities and on the financial implications of returning to employment.
For more information: Tel:  0800 917 4162

PARENTING WEST LOTHIAN:
Services in West Lothian recognise the pressures on parents today and the need they have for information, strategies, support and exchange about a whole range of issues that they have to deal with. Parenting West Lothian seeks to help meet that need in a way that respects parents' abilities and opinions. If you are a parent, whether you are feeling confident and just need information on a particular topic or whether you feel you really need to change your approach in some way, we hope you will find something here that will help. If you are a professional seeking to help parents, we hope you will find the range of services, resources and contacts that are available useful in your task.
To access a parenting group - contact the administrator on 01506 775836 or email surestart@westlothian.gov.uk.
Website - www.parentingwestlothian.gov.uk

PARENTLINE:
A confidential, anonymous helpline offering support to parents to allow you to provide the best possible care for your children. Specially trained volunteers will listen and help you to find a way forward. Whatever the problem - no issue is too big or too small.
For more information contact:
Parentline - 0808 800 2222  -  because... being a parent isn't easy.

PRE-SCHOOL HOME TEACHING SERVICE:
West Lothian Council Education Services may provide a teacher to support pre-school children with special needs and their families/carers. The teacher can visit young children and parents in their own home, working collaboratively with other agencies - e.g. speech and language, physiotherapists and visual impairment specialists.
For more information contact:
Pre-School Home Teaching Service, Beatlie School Campus, The Mall, Craigshill, Livingston, EH54 5EJ.
Tel:  01506 777598

SAFETY IN THE HOME EDUCATION SERVICE:
West Lothian Healthcare Trust work with other agencies to run an educational programme on accident prevention and safety in the home throughout West Lothian.
For more information contact:
Avril Gardner, Strathbrock Partnership Centre, 189A West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5LH.  Tel: 01506 771867

SCOTTISH CHILDMINDING ASSOCIATION:
The Scottish Childminding Association exists to promote childminding as a quality childcare service. A Development Officer is available to provide a service for parents, childminders and any other interested parties with regard to developing and promoting childminding in their own area. The development worker will provide support and information to individuals and groups and provide training for new and experienced childminders.
For more information contact:
Ruth Wallace, Development Officer, Scottish Childminding Association.
Tel: 01506 845238

SCOTTISH PRE-SCHOOL PLAY ASSOCIATION - DEVELOPMENT WORKER:
The SPPA Development Worker will support voluntary playgroups and assist in their development to reach the standard required for partnerships with Local Authority to provide pre-school education throughout West Lothian. This service is funded by West Lothian Council Education Services (Early Years and Childcare Partnership).
For more information contact:
Scottish Pre-School Play Association, St.Columba's Primary School, Philip Avenue, Bathgate, EH48 1NQ.
Tel:  01506 651403  Website: www.sppa.org.uk

SIGNPOST:
Signpost is a voluntary organisation which offers information and support to families of young people (birth to 18) who have disabilities or other special needs. We offer a helpline, drop-in office, regular newsletters and a website as well as individually tailored information for enquirers. Open to families, carers and professionals who support them, this is a 'one-stop-shop' so that people do not have to phone around many different agencies. Staff discuss and identify the needs of the whole family the put them in touch with with the most appropriate support. Every staff member is also a parent of a child with special needs so families appreciate our understanding of their situation. Informal emotional support is also offered.
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:30-2:30 and Friday, 9:00-12 noon
Signpost, Beatlie School Campus, Craigshill, Livingston, EH54 5EJ
Helpline: 01506 431123    Office: 01506 431133
email: enquiries@signpost-online.co.uk
website: www.signpost-online.co.uk

SURE START - EARLY YEARS PROGRAMME:
Sure Start aims to give young children (0-3 years) the very best possible start in life by working with parents and other agencies. Through the provision of a range of services provided in each locality, we hope to improve children's social and emotional development, their health and their ability to learn. The range of activities undertaken at present include - Tots Exercise, Baby Groups, Craft Groups, Parent Support Groups and Parent/Child Development Groups.
For more information contact:
Sure Start, Unit G, Kirkton Business Centre, Kirk Lane, Livingston Village, EH54 7AY.
Tel:  01506 775836  or  e-mail surestart@westlothian.gov.uk

TOY LIBRARIES:
These can be run by parents, volunteers, self-help groups or by statutory services and offer the opportunity to parents and carers to borrow toys and equipment that have been specially selected to encourage combined fun and learning. Support to set up toy libraries is easily accessed through the National Association of Toy Libraries.
For more information contact:
Website:  www.natll.org.uk

WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL ADVICE SERVICE:
This service provides independent advice, advocacy and representation on a wide range of problems by telephone, in person at the Advice Shop or by outreach services.
For more information contact:
The Advice Shop, Waverley Street Industrial Estate,  Bathgate, EH48 4HY.
Telephone: 01506 776444

WRAPAROUND CHILDCARE FOR CHILDREN IN NURSERY AND PRIMARY 1 - 3:
Childcare places are available before and after the hours of nursery classes and school in various primary schools throughout West Lothian.
For further information, or to request a leaflet, please contact:
Childcare Information Service.  Tel:  01506 776660  or  
Cath Boyle, Childcare Co-ordinator.  Tel:  01506 776124

YOUTH HOMELESS SERVICE:
This team support homeless young people and help prevent homelessness.

• Emergency Unit - to provide initial emergency accommodation, and assessment, and referral where necessary.

• Minibus Project - An adapted minibus is available, in rural areas and remote villages, to allow internet connections, information and activities for young people - for drop-in use.

For more information contact:
The Youth Homeless Service, Lomond House, Livingston,
EH54 6QF.  Telephone: 01506 776275