Families in temporary accommodation can face problems, dealing with the day-to-day business of family life. East Lothian Council helps to find solutions to educational, healthcare, financial and support needs.

Alongside partner housing and health organisations, the Council is working to provide facilities and information, and offer answers to important questions. For instance, how do you register with a doctor, find transport to get your child to school or access many of the other services that settled families take for granted?

Some of the ways in which we provide assistance are:

* Healthcare - in the box opposite you will find lists and contact numbers for GP's Hospitals, clinics, health visitors and NHS dentists.
* Schools/Educational services - ways to get your child to and from school, coping with educational disruption and finding facilities for homework.
* Social networks and community facilities - projects which exisit to provide support and advice, including the Child Care partnership, Homestart (a befriending service) and the Bridges Project young mothers group.
* Family support - the Homelessness Prevention team, and/or your health visitor may be able to arrange for family mediation, if this will help you.
* Money Advice - is available from the Citizens Advice Bureaux in Haddington and Musselburgh

East Lothian Council has produced a leaflet which signposts sources of advice and help for Homeless Families in East Lothian and this is available here.

Further useful websites and family support resources include:

One Parent Families Scotland
Care Free Kids
Changes Community Health Project
Familiy Mediation Service Scotland
HomeStart Family Support
SNIP Support and Counselling Service
East Lothian Advice providers - contacts
Citizens Advice Scotland
The Bridges Project
East Lothian Womens Aid
Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline
Shelter Scotland