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Education, Training and Employment:Frequently Asked Questions
Through our helpline we receive enquiries spanning a wide range of different topics. Here is a selection of those most asked:
Council Help for Disabled People
Scottish councils have responsibilities to help disabled people and their carers who qualify for help. These include:
- Financial help
- Care needs assessments for disabled people
- Providing support for carers
- Blue Badges
- Safeguarding people who are at risk of harm
Financial help
Councils are responsible for providing financial help, including
- Housing benefit – help with rent for people over State Pension age and for some younger people in special circumstances Claim Housing Benefit – mygov.scot
- Means-tested and non means-tested help with council tax costs Working out your council tax – mygov.scot
- Lump sum payments from the Scottish Welfare Fund; Crisis Grants (usually food, energy, or heating) or Community Care Grants to help people stay in, or settle into the community. https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-welfare-fund
Social work departments have powers to help with “Section 12” payments, for adults or children in an emergency if this would save the council costs in future. They can also make payments to promote the welfare of children in need.
Councils must also have a Housing “scheme of assistance” that may give information, advice, grants, loans, and practical assistance to homeowners or, to private tenants who need disability adaptations. https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/housing_conditions/scheme_of_assistance
Most council areas will have a Care and Repair service that will provide advice and help to older people and (in some areas) disabled people who are homeowners or private tenants. Find your local service here Office Locations | Care and Repair Scotland
Care needs assessments for disabled people
If you are disabled, your council’s social work department (or in Highland, NHS Highland) can assess your care needs, and agree a care plan to support you. The help you receive may include equipment, adaptations to your home, care at home, day care or a care home. Any help you receive that is classed as “personal care” is free.
You should be offered a choice in how your care is provided; this is called Self-directed support. Your options within your budget form the council are:
- 1 – a direct payment to you or someone else (such as a care agency) to pay for your own support
- 2 – you arrange the support
- 3 – the local council arranges the support
- 4 – a mix of the above
Support for carers
The Carers (Scotland) Act gives carers a right to support from their local council. A carer is anyone who is not paid for their caring and looks after a friend, family member or neighbour who is disabled. You do not have to be caring for a specific number of hours to be a carer.
Your local Carers Centre can explain what help is available locally. Any help a carer received from their local council is free. Find your local Carers Centre here https://www.careinfoscotland.scot/topics/support-for-carers/carer-centres/ and find out more about carers rights here https://www.careinfoscotland.scot/topics/support-for-carers/
Blue Badges
A Blue Badges provides parking concessions for on-street parking, some car parks, and disabled parking bays, allowing badge holders to park close to where they need to go
A Blue Badge belongs to a person, not a vehicle, so they can travel as a driver or a passenger. Find out more about Blue Badges here: https://www.mygov.scot/apply-blue-badge/eligibility
Protecting people who are at risk of harm
Councils have powers under the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 to protect adults who cannot look after their own safety and security and are at risk of harm because of disability, mental disorder, illness, physical or mental infirmity, sexual harm or institutional harm.
“Harm” means injury or damage and includes self-harm, neglect and abuse.
Councils and other public services (such as Police) will work together to support people. You can find out more here https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-care/adult-support-and-protection/
If you are worried that someone at risk of harm, you can find your local social work department here
Contact your council
You can find details of your council and its services here Organisations – mygov.scot
How can I get a RADAR key?
The National Key Scheme (NKS), often referred to as RADAR keys, offers disabled people independent access to locked public accessible toilets around the country. You can buy from Disability Rights UK either over the phone or through their website.
You can also purchase RADAR keys through some chemists and online.
For further information see our Accessible Toilets information guide or the Disability Rights UK website.
Call the Disability Information Scotland helpline on: 0300 323 9961
Education, Training and Employment:Search for Local Organisations
Our quick search tool can connect you to over 3000 service providers, suppliers and organisations supporting people across Scotland. To find support near you, simply enter your search term and select your local authority.
| Organisation | Description |
|---|---|
| Braille Chess Association | Aims: To support, encourage and promote the playing of chess by blind and partially sighted people throughout the UK. Services provided: Provide information and advice on all aspects of chess in braille, cassette, large print and on the internet Runs a… |
| Bridgend Community Centre | Accessible venue hire in Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire |
| British Association of Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People | Aims: To promote excellence in deaf education; supporting the interests of Teachers of Deaf children and young people. Services provided: Provide advice and support, including to the public eg. teachers and parents of deaf children by:- Lobbying Govern… |
| British Deaf Association | Founded in 1890, the British Deaf Association (BDA) is the UK’s only official national representative organisation of British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) also used in Northern Ireland. We hold international status as an Ordinary M… |
| British Red Cross (Edinburgh, Lothians and Fife) | Run a variety of services to assist people in need |
| BSY Group (British School of Yoga) | Teaches the art of Yoga and complementary therapies |
| Business Disability Forum | Aims: To make it easier for organisations to employ disabled people, retain employees and to serve disabled customers. Services provided: A helpline which offers a unique service to forum members, providing expert information on all aspects of disabili… |
| Butterly Trust | Aims: To provide support in the community for people affected by Cystic Fibrosis. Services provided: Information and advice on services and other resources and guidance on how to acquire them Practical help that includes assistance with official forms… |
| C.A.B.I.A. Counselling and Benefits in Action | Services provided: Free help with benefit forms (all kinds) ESA – DLA- PIP Attendance Allowance Pension Credit Carers Allowance Benefits advice Representation to appeals Scottish Adult Disability Payment Scottish Child Disability Payment Scottish Child… |
| CAE | Aims: The Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) has been a leading authority on inclusive design for over 50 years. They provide consultancy, training, research and publications on building design and management to meet all user needs, including dis… |
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