SERVICE DETAILS
BEMAS stands for Black and Ethnic Minority Advice Service. BEMAS offers advice to carers of disabled children from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities living in Edinburgh.
Our BEMAS service is free, independent and confidential.
BEMAS works with families to break down barriers to improve access to local services and resources. Advisers can help with benefits claims and income maximisation.
BEMAS can offer home visits and interpreters whenever needed.
The service also runs regular carer meetings.
BEMAS offer advice on:
- Services for carers: From respite to reflexology we will listen to what you need to support you in your caring role and help you to make contact with relevant services.
- Services for your child: We know what services are out there, from play schemes to sleep therapy. This helps us introduce you to local services that are right for your child.
- Benefits: We can find out if you are eligible to claim benefits. If you are we can help you fill in claim forms and challenge decisions.
- Grants and Trusts: Be it a short break or a washing machine we can help you identify and apply for funding for the things you need to support you in your caring role.
- Housing: We can support by providing you with information around your rights and processes in regard to housing as well as refer you to the appropriate services and organisations that deal directly with housing issues.
- Social Activities: We can help you find and access local social activities for you and your child.
- Social Work Assessments: We can explain what a social work assessment is for, help you to contact social workers and support you throughout the process. We can inform you about your right to a carers assessment and assessments for children with disabilities.
- Education: We can help you find out about the ‘additional support for learning’ system. We can also come along to support you at appointments like child planning meetings.
