Support for parents to find work

Are you a parent who is unemployed or experiencing in-work poverty? Are you looking for help to address barriers to employment, or to upskill while in work?

Get in touch with the Parental Employability Support team if you are a: 

  • Lone parent
  • Disabled parent
  • Parent with disabled children
  • Parent with 3+ children
  • Parent from an ethnic minority
  • Parent with youngest child under 1 year old
  • Parent aged under 25 years old.

We are a free service that helps you:

  • Identify and work towards an employment goal
  • Gain qualifications and learn skills
  • Gain more confidence
  • Maximise your income and benefits.
  • Write job applications, develop a CV and prepare for an interview

Free courses

Course Start Date
Aromatherapy & Massage Weds 30 Sept
Allergen Awareness Training Weds 7 Oct
Rural Skills Short Course Thurs 1 Oct
Elementary Food & Hygiene Certificate (REHIS) Tues 8 Oct
Dyslexia Awareness Training Tues 20 Oct
ADHD Awareness Training Weds 21 Oct
Security Officer Training  Fri 23 Oct
Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health Tues 27 Oct
Dementia Informed and Communication Training Weds 28 Oct
Autism Awareness Training Thurs 5 Nov
Bike Maintenance Course Thurs 5 Nov
Emergency Paediatric First Aid Tues 24 Nov

Course information

Aromatherapy and Massage - Wednesday 30 September

This taster course builds your confidence to join certified qualification courses.

  • Introduction to aromatherapy and blending your first essential oils
  • How to safely mix custom massage oils for relaxation
  • Practical massage techniques for the hands, arms, and feet. How to perform a relaxing, seated back and leg massage.
  • Stress-busting routines for the head, neck, and shoulders. Combining your skills into a full routine and exploring qualification pathways.

Course details:

  • Six week course running on Wednesday afternoons, 12.30pm - 2.00pm
  • 30 September, 7, 21 & 28 October, and 4 & 11 November
  • Lasswade Centre, 11 Hopefield Park, Bonnyrigg, EH19 2NE

Allergen Awareness Training - Wednesday 7 October

This training has been developed by the Food Standards Agency to support anyone working or wanting to work with food or in catering. This enhances any REHIS qualification you may have. This training has been updated to reflect changes in legislation for prepacked and direct sale products.

Course details:

  • Wednesday 7 October
  • 10.00am - 12.00pm - 6 small online modules, which include a knowledge check at the end of each one.
  • 3 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG 

Rural Skills Short Course - Thursday 1 October

Learn new skills to help you enter a career in farming and the rural sector.

  • Tractor driving for beginners
  • All terrain vehicle driving training
  • Introduction to welding

Course details:

  • The course is delivered by Borders College
  • Dates: 
    • Thursday 1 October, 9am - 4.30pm
    • Friday 2 October, 9am - 4.30pm
    • Friday 23 October, 9am - 4.30pm
    • Thursday 29 October, 9am - 4.30pm
    • Friday 30 October, 9am - 4.30pm 

Elementary Food Hygiene (REHIS) - Thursday 8 October

  • Bacteria and how it affects food
  • Food pests and their control
  • Hygiene and habits of food handlers
  • Hygiene in preparation, cooking and storage of food and current food legislation

Course details

  • Thursday 8 October and Friday 9 October
  • 9.30am - 1.30pm
  • Loanhead Primary School, 34 Edgefield Road, Loanhead, EH20 9DY

 Dyslexia Awareness Training - Tuesday 20 October

  • common features and positive indicators for dyslexia
  • experiences of dyslexia
  • possible aetiologies for dyslexia
  • treatments and management interventions for dyslexia

Course details:

  • Tuesday 20 October 
  • 9.30am - 12.30pm
  • 3 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG

ADHD Awareness Training - Wednesday 21 October

  • What is ADHD?
  • Recognising the signs and symptoms of ADHD
  • Discussing best practice to support service users with ADHD
  • Practical strategies to help the personal development of people with ADHD
  • Stigma
  • Treatment options

Course Details:

  • Wednesday 21 October 
  • 9.30am - 12.30pm
  • 3 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG 

Security Officer training - Friday 23 October

All learners who complete the programme will gain industry recognised qualifications to enable them to enter the Security industry. 

  • Unit 1 – Principles of Working in the Private Security Industry
  • Unit 2 – Principles of Working as a Security Officer in the Private Security Industry
  • Unit 3 – Application of Conflict Management in the Private Security Industry
  • Emergency First Aid
  • Funding for SIA Badges and application process
  • DISC Profiles
  • Employment support

Course details:

  • Delivered at Loanhead Primary School, 34 Edgefield Road, Loanhead, EH20 9DY.
  • Course Dates:
    • Emergency First Aid 
      • Friday 23 October, 9.30am - 5.00pm
    • Door Supervisor Training
      • Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October, 9.00am - 6.00pm
    • Exam
      • Monday 2 November, 10.00am - 4.00pm

Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health (SCQF Level 4) - Tuesday 27 October

  • know what mental health is
  • understand why people develop mental health conditions
  • understand the role of a First Aider for mental health
  • know how to provide advice and practical support for a person presenting with a mental health condition.
  • know how to recognize and manage stress.
  • know how to recognize a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, suicide, and self-harm.

Course details:

  • Tuesday 27 October
  • 10.00am - 2.30pm
  • 1 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG 

Dementia Informed and Communication Training - Wednesday 28 October

  • What is dementia?
  • Symptoms of dementia
  • Different types of dementia
  • Develop a range of skills that can support those diagnosed and their families

Course details:

  • Wednesday 28 October
  • 10.30am - 2.00pm
  • 3 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG 

Autism Awareness Training - Thursday 5 November

  • Up-to-date understanding of autism, myth-busting, strengths, what an autistic person experiences, communication & sensory needs, preferred language.
  • Focus on practical ways of supporting autistic clients, disclosure, having the conversation, reasonable adjustments.

Course details:

  • Thursday 5 November
  • 12.30pm - 2.30pm
  • 3 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG 

Bike Maintenance - Thursday 5 November

  • Carry out basic bike repairs and maintenance
  • Keep your bike safe and roadworthy
  • Gain confidence using a bike for work
  • Access to a bike

Course details:

  • Thursdays
  • 5, 12, 19 & 26 November
  • 5.00pm - 6.30pm
  • Loanhead Vocational Learning Centre, 8 Borthwick View, Loanhead EH20 9HU

Emergency Paediatric First Aid - Tuesday 24 November

  • Role of the Paediatric First Aider                             
  • Seizure
  • Primary survey                                                                
  • Choking
  • Resuscitation (CPR including the safe use of an AED)  
  • Minor injuries
  • Wounds, bleeding and shock   
  • Recovery position

Course Details:

  • Tuesday 24 November and Wednesday 25 November
  • 9.30am - 2.30pm
  • 3 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG 

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