We ensure the families we help have access to the tools and advice they need during challenging times of separation, conflict, and change.
We run and facilitate a wide range of services across Edinburgh and Lothians to support children, young people, and their families when they need it.
Take a look at our current services and then get in touch to discuss how we can help you.
Services
Family Connections
Offering children and young people a safe space to reconnect and build stronger attachments with family members who are not living with them. This is also known as ‘Child contact’.
Mediation
Supporting family members to communicate and reach an agreement on family matters after separation, including when, and how, to connect with children. This can be with adults only, or it can involve the child.
All About Me
A structured and therapeutic support intervention for children focusing on the needs and voice of the child. Adopting a child’s-rights-based approach, ensures that the child is properly heard and represented.
Individual Parent Support and Coaching
1:1 parent support to raise awareness of the impact of parenting decisions on children’s wellbeing. This individual support aims to navigate this challenging period effectively.
Parenting Apart
Short courses on all aspects of family life after separation. Guided by our trained staff, these sessions are a chance to stand in the child’s shoes and learn from other parents.
Empowering Parents Through Experience
A dedicated wellbeing and emotional peer support service providing emotional help from groups of people in similar situations as you during the wait for Family Connections.
The Power of Play
Play is an important part of everyone’s lives from babies to adults. We help parents create and maintain strong attachments with children through play activities and supported play.
Tailored and Bespoke Services
We know that sometimes you need something tailored to your specific needs. By understanding your family goals, we can help build out the right service for you and your family.
#KeepThePromise
Family Journeys have made a commitment and a promise to children, young people, and adult care experienced individuals and families.
#KeepThePromise is a cross-party Scottish Government commitment to ensure that positive change is meaningfully achieved for care experienced and edge of care children and young people.
Which service is best for you?
Don’t worry if you’re unsure which service is best for your child and family situation. We’re here to guide and advise you through the decision-making process.
- Contact us by phone or by email / contact form. We aim to respond quickly for this first call. Let us know when it is best to get in touch with you.
- In our first chat with you, staff will listen to your concerns and take some basic details to help us plan your first meeting.
- We accept self-referrals and referrals from solicitors, and social workers. Even in these cases, we will still offer you a first meeting to plan the services we provide.
Our focus is to work in the best interests of the child and collaborate with parents fairly and respectfully, so the whole family has a positive experience.
Steps into service
1. Referral Pathways
- Self-referral
- Court ordered interlocuters
- Family Law Solicitors
- Children and family services referrals
- Other service referrals
- Contact our Reception and Referrals Officer if you need support with a referral
2. Seek agreement from both parents (voluntary unless court ordered)
- Confidentiality statement
- Parent / Carer agreement
3. Arrange first meeting
- Work with our Operations Co-ordinator to find the best day, time and venue that works for everyone so we can get started with supports
4. Early preparation period
- Visit our space
- Meet your matched worker, online or in person, who will provide support throughout your journey with us
- At your first meeting we will discuss the support or services we can offer and help you consider what might suit your circumstances.
- Share further information
- Seek early views of the child
- Explore safety and risk assessments
- Explore additional services
5. Complete preparation period for the child
- Seek full the views of the child
- Explore expectations, worries and ideas for success
- Identify Child Wellbeing Outcomes (SHANARRI)
- Assess readiness for support to begin
- Explore need for extended preparation through our All About Me service
- Complete comprehensive child safety and support plans
- Explore any tailored supports that may be required
6. Complete preparation period for parent / carers
- Complete 1-2-1s with each parent or carer individually
- Explore expectations, worries and hopes
- Agree Child Wellbeing Outcomes and parent outcomes / goals to work towards
- Explore additional support resources and services
- Complete comprehensive safety, risk and support plans inc. domestic abuse / substance use
7. Moving into support
- Agreed service support start date and time confirmed
- Agreed arrival and departure arrangements confirmed
- Confirmation of supports shared with other professionals as agreed
- First support session begins
8. Reviewing progress
- Reflections on any progress or otherwise made so far
- Update and revision to outcomes monitoring
- Identify next steps
- Progression planning
- Communication with court / solicitor as required
“I feel like I’m doing normal things with my Dad now.”
Child
Refer yourself or someone else
Complete the referral form if you or someone you know would like to access our services
What will happen in my first meeting?
The first meeting can be online or in person.
At your first meeting we will discuss the support or services we can offer and help you consider what might suit your circumstances.
Each parent’s support needs might be different. You can attend this planning meeting with your ex-partner or alone.
Mediation does require both parents to work together. Other services can be beneficial for one or both parents, working together or separately.
“I know how hard everyone has been working to find a solution. And I’m happy to do whatever is needed to make it work. Again, thank you for all your help and hard work in this, it is truly appreciated.”
Parent
“(Child) feels better as you listened.”
Sibling
Fees
As a small organisation, our capacity to provide prompt and comprehensive support is only possible by charging for the important service we offer.
We aim to charge a fair and reasonable hourly professional rate which is inclusive of direct staff costs and overheads.
To explore whether you may be entitled to Legal Aid, please contact Citizens Advice for additional assistance.
Affordability and accessibility are important to us and therefore we welcome confidential payment discussions for those families who are not entitled to Legal Aid Funding.
Please note that no family will be excluded from service for financial reasons.
FAQs
Will I have to see my ex-partner?
- No. If you do not feel comfortable seeing another parent/carer Family Journeys will stagger Family Connections arrival and departure times to ensure everyone feels safe, and their needs are respected. Within our mediation services we can offer shuttle mediation, either in person or online. This involves parents/carers being in different rooms and the mediator moving between. If you are attending our Parenting Apart programme, you will not be put in the same group as another family member (unless expressly requested).
Am I allowed to take photographs?
- As an organisation promoting positive relationships, capturing special moments is a normal aspect of nurturing positive connections. Please note however, this may be subject to certain conditions if a court order explicitly prohibits photographs, if there are child protection concerns or identified risks or if the child does not consent to having their photograph taken, their wishes will be respected. Prioritising the safety and consent of all parties involved is paramount.
Will there always be a staff member in playroom with my child?
- During supervised Family Connection sessions, a staff member will ALWAYS be present with your child. During supported Family Connection sessions, a staff member will be available for when a child or parent/family member may need them, and they will offer regular check ins to see if all is going well in the playroom.
Can I wait at Family Journeys whilst my child sees my ex-partner?
- Yes of course. We have relaxing parent/carer rooms for you to wait whilst your child is enjoying time in the playrooms. This can help you and your child feel more at ease in the early sessions. However, you may also wish to spend some time away from the venue and this is encouraged once your child feels comfortable coming to Family Journeys. Staff will always call you if your child needs you to return.
My court order was issued last month, why can’t I start immediately?
- At Family Journeys, we understand this is a stressful period for all, especially the child. We don’t want to delay but sometimes it takes a while to find a vacant slot in our venues that suits both you and your child. We also want to give your child and family every chance of success when coming to Family Journeys, therefore it is important that we start after a period of preparation. This preparation period will travel at the pace of the child and support everyone to get the most out of their time playing together in the hope of independent co-parenting solutions.
How long will it take after the intake meeting for contact to start?
- This is difficult to answer because it depends on your child’s readiness to meet. Sometimes we support the child with an extended preparation or involve the child in our All About Me service if they are struggling. Normally we would hope your first play session would be no longer than a month after your initial meeting with staff, but sometimes it can take longer.
I worry I can’t afford this. What can I do?
- If you are in receipt of benefits or earn below a certain threshold, you may be entitled to Scottish Legal Aid. You will need a solicitor to access these funds. If you are not entitled to Scottish Legal Aid and feel you will struggle to meet the costs, please get in touch with us directly to discuss how we can work out a payment plan that is affordable.
If I go on holiday, will I get into trouble?
- No. We will communicate this information to your ex-partner and solicitors, if applicable, and arrange a catch-up session where possible. The key here is being honest and planning ahead.
I can’t find a legal aid solicitor, what do I do?
- Although Family Journeys cannot specifically suggest a particular solicitor, we can provide you with a list of Scottish Legal Aid solicitors who you can contact.
My solicitor told me that they are no longer doing Legal Aid work. What do I do?
- Let Family Journeys know ASAP. It is possible the child’s other parent may be able to cover costs short term through their own legal aid. Family Journeys can help communicate this with your permission. It may be important for you to find another solicitor to represent you. During this period, we will not stop your child’s Family Connections time.
I am worried my ex-partner will find out where I live if they ask the children. Can you control what is said during a session?
- During supervised Family Connections sessions, our staff will be present to ensure you, and your children, are safe. Any leading questions thought to expose a restricted address will be stopped.
How can I access my child’s or my notes?
- You can acquire all notes retained on our information management system regarding yourself and/or the child you have legal rights and responsibilities for through a subject access request.
What happens if a parent or guardian arrives under the influence of substances?
- Family Journeys are unable to do any drug testing, but we do visual checks and monitor the persons behaviour. If staff detect that a person is under the influence or cannot look after the child, family time will be stopped. Family Journeys are an inclusive organisation, if a family is impacted by substance use Family Journeys can support to find appropriate solutions with the individual and family.
Family Journeys Main Office and Playrooms
519 Gorgie Road
Edinburgh
EH11 3AJ
Reception lines are open:
Monday to Friday 9:30am-3:30 pm
Resources
These resources, tools and great places to get information have been compiled to guide and support you at any point in your journey.