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Children, young people and families in Scotland

We support blind and partially sighted children and young people from birth to 25 years, their families and carers, and the professionals who support them.

Image: A young boy sitting at a desk being taught by an adult.

How we can help

Our services in Scotland include:

  • Information and advice to parents and carers, supporting them with regards to education, health and social work.
  • The way sight loss is registered in Scotland has changed. Arrangements for supporting children and young people aged under 16 now follows the Visual Impairment Network for Children and Young People (VINCYP) Pathway. Download the Scotland Registration Changes document to find out more.
  • Our Shape and Share events bring children, young people and their families together for peer support, sharing knowledge and advice, and trying out new fun activities.These will be delivered in-person and through online events.
  • Our free Parent Pathways course is for parents and carers of children and young people who have recently been diagnosed with vision impairment. Delivered online over six weeks, these small group sessions cover topics like education, play, financial benefits and more. For more information, and to book onto a course, contact [email protected].
  • Advocating on behalf of children, young people and their families at local authority, national and government level.
  • Training for teachers, parents, health and social work professionals and other relevant organisations.
  • Haggeye, our youth engagement forum for blind and partially sighted young people aged 16 - 27 years in Scotland helps young people to raise awareness of what it’s like to be blind or partially sighted.

Get in touch

You can contact our RNIB Scotland's Children, Young People and Families team at [email protected] or by calling our Helpline on 0303 123 9999.

For UK-wide information visit the main Children, Young People and Families section.

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Related topics

Supporting others

Find out how you can support friends, family and loved ones who have been diagnosed with sight loss. If you're a carer, parent or guardian there are benefits.

Benefits for children

Learn about the benefits you could claim if you are the parent or guardian of a blind or partially sighted child.

Youth engagement: Haggeye

Are you a blind or partially sighted young person living in Scotland, aged 16-27, interested in campaigning and raising awareness of sight loss? Would you like to make new friends and share experiences with other young people with sight loss?

Family support and events

RNIB Shape and Share events bring children and young people with a vision impairment and their families together for peer support, to share experiences and take part in fun activities virtually via Microsoft Teams.