The spiralling cost of living is something that is affecting everyone.
With a lot of different sources of information and support available from a variety of places, it can be difficult to know where to start, so we have created this new webpage with some useful links that might be helpful to you and the families that you support:
- Scottish Government: Cost of Living Support. The Scottish Government has setup a resource to provide help and advice during the cost-of-living crisis. You can access this support HERE.
- Citizens Advice Scotland: Get Help with the Cost of Living. There may be benefits that you are entitled to that you are not aware of, and these could help you with the increasing cost of living, energy bills and household expenditure. Visit the Citizens Advice Scotland website HERE.
- One Parent Families Scotland has developed many resources to help families manage the cost of living, including a household budget, which can help you see what money you have coming in, what areas you are spending on, and allows you to keep track. They also have guidance and tips on small changes that you may want to think about, to help you reduce your living costs.
- Childcare Choices: Tax-Free Childcare. All childminders are encouraged to sign-up to Tax-Free Childcare and to remind parents to check the Childcare Choices website, where they can find out about the different offers and support, they could be entitled to. It’s free for registered childcare providers to sign up for a Tax-Free Childcare account, and only takes 10 minutes to apply. READ MORE
- Social Security Scotland: Information on Benefits. The Social Security Scotland website details a number of different benefits and grants that you and the families you support may be eligible for. Find out about benefits and what you could be entitled to HERE.
- Scottish Government: Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting your family, which may be useful for you and the families you support. Parents and carers can apply if they receive support from Universal Credit, tax credits or other qualifying benefits. READ MORE
- Working Families is the UK's national charity for working parents and carers, and they have a dedicated webpage that includes a wide range of support and advice that may be able to help and support you and your family. READ MORE
- Help for Households is website that highlights what support is available to help with the cost of living, help you save money, and offer a range of tips. READ MORE
Want to speak to someone?
At challenging times like these, it can be helpful to speak with someone – especially if you’re feeling really worried and want to find ways to lighten the load. SCMA members have exclusive access to a free 24/7 confidential telephone counselling service to support your personal and emotional wellbeing provided by ARAG. To access this service, please
login to the Membership Dashboard and go to the
Resources section, where you will find more information.
More support available for SCMA Members
Findings from our #TellSCMA Survey in 2022, relating to questions on financial pressures suggest that many of you are, understandably, concerned about the increasing cost of living and the impact this may have on you, your family, your childminding business and the families that you support.
We have used your feedback to inform the development of a new 'Cost of Living' section within the Membership Dashboard, which includes guidance, tools and templates, to help you address and manage the financial sustainability aspect of your childminding business.
Login to the Membership Dashboard
HERE and explore these new features, that are exclusive to SCMA members.