When a family has suffered the loss of a child suddenly and unexpectedly it is important that they know what help and support is available to them. The Scottish Cot Death Trust is the only cot death charity in Scotland and can offer a wide range of support services to bereaved families regardless of where they live in Scotland.

Anyone can refer the family to the Scottish Cot Death Trust for support and you should not assume that someone has already made a referral. Making a referral is easy – you just need to phone us or complete the online referral form. You will need the family’s consent to pass their details on to us, and you will need their name, address, contact numbers, information about the baby, their GP details and any other relevant information.

Whilst the majority of cot deaths will occur in babies under 12 months of age; it can also occur in older children. If you are working with a family whose child was pre-school aged and has died suddenly and unexpectedly, you can still refer the family to the Scottish Cot Death Trust for support. If you are unsure whether or not a referral is appropriate, please phone us to discuss it first.