You may need to find legal help because you are going through a divorce or separation, supporting your child through problems at school, raising a complaint about your child’s medical treatment or struggling with housing or financial issues.
Legal processes can be incredibly stressful, time-consuming and emotionally draining for you as a parent. At times, things may feel overwhelming or confusing, and if this is the case, you might need support to work out what the next step is.
Remember that you and your child are not alone – on this page, you can find organisations that can help you.
Legal aid can help you cover the costs of a legal process. You may be able to access free advice, help with negotiations and paperwork and a lawyer who can get your case ready and represent you in court.
For information about qualifying for legal aid, visit the government website.
If you do qualify for legal aid, you can use the government's free legal advice service.
Provides information and advice on issues such as divorce and separation, benefits, work, universal credit, debt, housing and immigration.
Webchat service available here.
If you're experiencing problems with debt, you can call their debt helpline or use their debt webchat service.
Provides free legal advice about education issues to parents, carers and young people.
You can also contact them using this online form.
Provides legal advice on children’s rights and child law across Scotland - including around issues such as parent contact, education, health, social work and confidentiality.
If you're going through a divorce or separation, or another family issue, a family mediator can help you find a solution that works for your whole family as much as possible, without going to court.
You can use their directory to find family mediators near you.
Provides mental health advocacy services, and information and advice about advocacy - including for children and young people in inpatient care.
Provides support, information and advice to parents whose children are involved with, or in need of, social services because of safety or welfare concerns - as well as parents and relatives of children in the care system.
Supports autistic people and their families. You can contact them for help with educational rights, school transitions, educational tribunals, school exclusions and inpatient care.
You can also access their parent-to-parent emotional support service.
Provides legally based advice to help families get the right education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
You can book an appointment with their Advice Line or Tribunal Helpline.