Sleep support
We help children, young people, and their families to sleep better. Our sleep support service is non-judgmental and tailored to meet the needs of each individual, focusing on building healthy sleep habits and behaviours that last a lifetime.
Sleep Support Line Update
- On Wednesday 7th October, we are sharing the difficult news that Sleep Action’s Sleep Support Line will close on 31st March 2027 due to ongoing funding challenges. This is not because of declining demand or lack of effectiveness; our waiting list is at record levels. This decision has been made to protect the long-term future of the organisation.
- Read more here for more information, including how you can help
Sleep support
I’m a teenager and I want to sleep better
I need sleep support for my child
Evidence of our impact
In 2026, we had an independent evaluation of our Scottish Sleep Support Line. Findings showed the benefits of support was far reaching and effective.
Scottish Sleep Support Line
The Scottish Sleep Support Line is available to families with children and young people between 18 months and 18 years living in Scotland. This service is available at no cost, thanks to grant funding.
We provide compassionate, non-judgmental support and guidance tailored to each young person’s unique needs. By listening carefully, we create a step-by-step sleep plan that builds healthy sleep habits and behaviours over time.
Our Sleep Support Line team cannot prescribe melatonin or advise on its use. Instead, we will work with you to create a sleep plan to support the body’s natural melatonin production.
Since 2018, nearly 5,000 families have trusted our Scottish Sleep Support Line.
Our Sleep Counsellor honestly was a godsend! I had spent almost two years battling with a child who was up 2-6 times a night. She's now sleeping in her own bed and going down within 20 mins of lights out compared the hours I used to sit in her room.
Our Sleep Counsellor was absolutely amazing she helped us through the toughest time. Walked us through every step and we couldn't have reached this point without her support.
I was shocked at how good the support was, it felt like a luxury, and I honestly could not have paid for a better service.
The Sleep Counsellor was extremely supportive and had so many great ideas and techniques that helped my daughter to be able to sleep in her own bed all night for the first time in her life. Thank you very much.
Our lives have been transformed due to our Sleep Advisor so I would love to say again how grateful and happy we are with the service.
It feels I have a different child than I did one year ago. Our Sleep Counsellor was absolutely amazing with me and understood my concerns and struggles! She helped me with such a challenging issue for me as a parent and I will forever remember the help I got. We found strategies that worked and didn’t work. I am so grateful for this service.
Aaron
Grandparent of 3 year old boy
Aaron's story
Why Aaron contacted Sleep Action
- Aaron’s grandson Dante was three years old – he had experienced trauma and could not sleep without an adult present
- As Dante’s kinship carer, Aaron had to remain with Dante all night
- Dante’s behaviour, eating and development were affected by his disturbed sleep
- Aaron had approached many different health and support services, but felt his concerns weren’t fully heard
How we helped Aaron
We connected Aaron with a Sleep Counsellor who took the time to listen and understand all of Aaron’s issues and concerns. The Counsellor supported Aaron to adjust Dante’s naps and bedtime to help him feel more ready to sleep. Together, the Counsellor and Aaron drew up a new bedtime routine. The Sleep Counsellor always made sure that Aaron understood and agreed with every suggestion and made changes if anything did not work. The new routine helped Aaron feel confident and gave more structure to Dante’s evenings. Aaron practiced using consistent responses to help settle Dante in the night without distress.
Dante started sleeping up to 11 hours. Aaron felt this made a ‘massive difference’ to his behaviour.
