Helpline open to provide post-exam advice and guidance
Young people across the Angus and Dundee area can call a dedicated helpline offering expert advice to anyone who has received their full Higher, National, and Advanced results this week.
The pupils and students - along with their parents and carers - are now able to receive support with their results through Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) Results Helpline, which opened on results day.
The SDS Results Helpline will once again be staffed by expert careers advisers to assist anybody that needs help with their options and next steps, providing impartial career information, advice, and guidance.
The team of qualified advisers from Scotland’s national skills agency will be at the end of the phone line to offer guidance on colleges and universities, UCAS Confirmation and Clearing, apprenticeships, jobs and other training, volunteering, or staying on at school.
The number for the 2026 SDS Results Helpline is 0808 100 8000 and will be open on Thursday, August 6 and Friday, August 7 - 9am to 5pm
Evonne Boyd, Head of Career Information, Advice and Guidance Operations at SDS for the area, said that advisers will be able to talk callers through the available options and take into account the strengths that young people already have.
She said: “Our message for young people, parents and carers is simple: try to keep calm when the results arrive.
“We understand it’s a big moment but remember it is only one part of a young person’s journey.
“Whether through the Results Helpline or in schools and in the community, our advisers are here to listen, reassure and talk through the next steps.
“Whether someone wants to look at college, university, apprenticeships, training, work or other options, we can help them see the choices available and recognise the strengths and skills they already have.”
The SDS Results Helpline has been going for 34 years and over that time has helped tens of thousands of young Scots with post-exam stress and help them to find a path through the various possible career paths and further study and training choices which are open to them .
SDS advisers consistently say their advice to anyone who is unsure is to give the helpline a call to connect with and speak things through with a careers adviser.
They can help them to look both at their immediate questions and the wider context and environment around them, so they can make well thought through and informed choices about their next steps.
In addition to the expert support and guidance available from the Results Helpline, SDS careers advisers are available throughout the academic year in all schools in Scotland to give advice and guidance to young people and their parents or carers.
Anyone of any age not in school can speak to an adviser in an SDS centre or community venue across the country (find out what is close to you by visiting the Contact Us page on the SDS website).
There is also help from Scotland’s career website, My World of Work, or the SDS freephone helpline 0800 917 8000, available Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.