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
Dyslexia Awareness Training Tues 20 Oct
Security Officer Training  Fri 23 Oct
Rural Skills Short Course Fri 23 Oct
Introduction to Social Sciences Mon 26 Oct
Erasure Poetry Mon 26 Oct
Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health Tues 27 Oct
Dementia Informed and Communication Training Weds 28 Oct
Introduction to Early Learning and Childcare Weds 28 Oct
Autism Awareness Training Thurs 5 Nov
Bike Maintenance Course Thurs 5 Nov
Basic Car Maintenance for Midlothian Mums Thurs 5 Nov
Emergency First Aid at Work (SCQF Level 6) Mon 9 Nov
Emergency First Aid at Work (Non-regulated Course) Mon 16 Nov
Emergency Paediatric First Aid Tues 24 Nov
Emergency Paediatric First Aid (SCQF Level 6) for people whose first language is not English Tues 1 Dec
Emergency Paediatric First Aid: For Women whose first language is not English Thurs 10 Dec
Health and Safety in Social Care Thurs 10 Dec

Course information

 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

    Rural Skills Short Courses - Friday 23 October

    • Learn practical farming and countryside skills at Borders College
    • Tractor driving for beginners
    • ATV driving
    • Introduction to welding
    • Transport provided

    Course details:

    • Friday 23 October, Thursday 29 October, Friday 30 October, Friday 6 November and Friday 20 November
    • 9.30am - 4.30pm
    • Borders College
    • For Midlothian parents with a dependent child

    Introduction to Social Sciences - Monday 26 October

    • Explore the study of people and society
    • Learn about sociology, psychology, criminology and politics
    • Understand human behaviour and social issues
    • Discover how social sciences help us understand communities and the world around us

    Course details:

    • 8-week course starting Monday 26 October until Monday 14 December
    • 9.30am - 11.30am
    • 3 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG

    Erasure Poetry - From Monday 26 October

    • Discover a fun and creative way to make poetry with no previous writing experience needed
    • Create poems from newspapers, books, letters and other everyday texts
    • Explore blackout, collage and redaction techniques
    • Learn how creativity can support wellbeing and self-expression in a relaxed and supportive environment

    Course details:

    • Mondays from 26 October to 30 November (6-week course)
    • 1.30pm - 3.30pm
    • 3 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG

    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 

    Introduction to Early Learning and Childcare - Wednesday 28 October

    • Find out more about a career in childcare
    • Learn about child development and wellbeing
    • Explore the role of early years practitioners
    • Build your knowledge and confidence before considering further study in childcare

    Course details:

    • 6-week course starting Wednesday 28 October until Wednesday 2 December
    • 9.30am - 11.30am
    • 3 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG

    Basic Car Maintenance for Midlothian Mums - Thursday 5 November

    • Learn simple checks to help keep your car safe and reliable
    • Under-the-bonnet checks
    • Coolant and brake fluid checks
    • Lights, tyres, battery and brakes
    • General safety checks and basic cleaning and care
    • Build confidence in knowing when to carry out checks and when to seek professional help

    Course details:

    • Every Thursday from 5 November to 26 November
    • 1.30pm - 3.00pm
    • Loanhead Vocational Learning Centre, 8 Borthwick View, Loanhead, EH20 9HU
    • No previous knowledge needed

    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 First Aid at Work (SCQF Level 6) - Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 November

    • Gain practical skills and confidence to handle workplace emergencies
    • Learn resuscitation and AED awareness
    • Understand how to respond to burns, choking and minor injuries
    • Learn bleeding control techniques
    • Ideal for job seekers, volunteers and those working in low-hazard environments

    Course details:

    • Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 November (both sessions must be attended)
    • 10.00am - 3.00pm
    • Lawfield Primary School, Mayfield, EH22 5BB

    Emergency First Aid at Work (Non-regulated Course) - Monday 16 and Thursday 19 November

    • Gain practical skills and confidence to handle workplace emergencies
    • Learn resuscitation and AED awareness
    • Understand how to respond to burns, choking and minor injuries
    • Learn bleeding control techniques
    • Ideal for job seekers, volunteers and those working in low-hazard environments
    • Non-regulated course (no certificate will be issued)

    Course details:

    • Monday 16 and Thursday 19 November (both sessions must be attended)
    • 10.00am - 3.00pm
    • Lawfield Primary School, Mayfield, EH22 5BB

    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 

    Paediatric Emergency First Aid (SCQF Level 6) for Parents whose first language is not English - Tuesday 1 December and Monday 7 December 

    This course is for Midlothian parents whose first language is not English and will help you develop essential skills to respond to emergency situations involving babies and children.

    • role of the paediatric first aider
    • seizures
    • choking
    • resuscitation
    • minor injuries
    • wounds, bleeding and shock

    Course details:

    • Tuesday 1 December 2026 and Monday 7 December 2026 (both sessions must be attended)
    • 10.00am - 3.00pm
    • 3 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG

    Paediatric Emergency First Aid (Non-regulated) for Women whose first language is not English - Thursday 10 and 17 December 

    This course is for women living in Midlothian whose first language is not English. Learn essential emergency first aid skills for babies and children in a supportive learning environment.

    • role of the paediatric first aider
    • seizures
    • choking
    • resuscitation
    • minor injuries
    • wounds, bleeding and shock

    Please note: this is a non-regulated course and no certificate will be issued.

    Course details:

    • Thursday 10 December 2026 and Thursday 17 December 2026 (both sessions must be attended)
    • 10.00am - 3.00pm
    • Gorebridge Primary School, EH23 4XA

    Health & Safety in Social Care - Thursday 10 December 2026

    This course is for Midlothian parents with a dependent child who are looking to work, or already work, in the care sector. Learn about essential health and safety practices to help create safe environments for staff and the people they support. 

    • understanding health and safety in the workplace and care environment
    • supporting a safe environment for colleagues and the people we support
    • fire awareness and how to help prevent fire risks
    • infection prevention and control
    • safe use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in care settings

    Course details:

    • Thursday 10 December 2026
    • 10.30am - 2.00pm
    • 3 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG

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