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.
- Family Budgeting Calculator. Created by One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS), this self help guide aims to help you work out a weekly budget, to help you understand what you’re earning and spending, and where you may be able to cut costs. The intended focus is mainly for families rather than businesses, but you may want to try it out. Access the Budgeting Calculator HERE.
- 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
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, Guidance and Support area, where you will find more information.
Look out for more Tools, Help and Support coming soon…
Data analysis of our recent #TellSCMA Survey is still underway and we hope to be able to share the report with you soon. However, initial findings 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 will be using your feedback to inform the development of new tools and templates, to help you address and manage the financial sustainability aspect of your childminding business. These new resources will be exclusive for SCMA members and accessible via the Membership Dashboard.
Keep an eye on SCMA’s regular updates to ensure you don’t miss them.