FAQs
What is Parents Portal?
Parentsportal.scot is a new digital service, which is designed to enhance communication and engagement between parents/carers and schools. This online platform will provide a convenient and efficient way to access important information about your child's education and the ability to complete transactions such as applying for placement requests, update details or paying for school meals. Further services are being developed and will be added in the future.
How does Parents Portal work?
To login to parentsportal.scot you need a mygovscot account, a service which enables you to access a range of Scottish public services online using one username and password. If you already have a mygovscot account, you can sign straight into parentsportal.scot.
Once you have signed in to parentsportal.scot, you can then link your child to your account. After your child’s school approves the link, you will then be able to see information about your child and their school online.
Initially the services available will be limited but over time, additional services that you can access will be added. You will be able to complete the annual data check, pay for school meals and school trips by signing in to parentsportal.scot.
What is a mygovscot account?
A mygovscot account is a simple, secure way to access a range of Scottish public services online using just one username and password. Launched in April 2014, it is provided by the Improvement Service and funded by the Scottish government and is completely free and entirely voluntary.
Mygovscot is designed to work nationwide - giving public sector organisations across Scotland a shared, secure method of verifying who you are online. The service is provided exclusively to individuals who are at least 12 years of age.
You can find out more by going to: https://signin.mygovscot.org
What happens if I forget my username?
If you forget your username, click on the sign in button on the parentsportal.scot homepage and select the option for 'Forgot Username' to retrieve your forgotten username.
When you request a username reminder, you will be asked to confirm your e-mail address, post code, gender and date of birth in order to verify that you are the account holder.
What happens if I forget my password?
If you forget your password, click on the sign in button on the parentsportal.scot homepage and select the option for “Forgot Password.” When you request to reset your password, you will be asked to confirm your username, e-mail address, post code and date of birth in order to verify that you are the account holder. A new one-time use password will then be sent to you by email.
How does it work?
When you login to parentsportal.scot and sign up to use a service, parentsportal.scot receives some data from mygovscot account and some data from SEEMiS to allow a user to carry out a transaction. Once a transaction has been completed, the data will be sent to SEEMiS and/or a Service Provider; your data is then deleted from parentsportal.scot.
How do I register for parentsportal.scot?
If you already have a mygovscot account, you can sign in using your existing details. If you do not have a myaccount, go to the parentsportal.scot homepage and click on register. When registering for a mygovscot account for the first time, please make sure you register using your own details and not using your child’s name.
After you complete the registration process, you'll be sent a one-time use password by email. You can update this to something memorable when you sign in to your account for the first time.
Registering for a mygovscot account takes around five minutes.
I’ve tried to link my child to mygovscot account, but I can’t get beyond step 1 – it says the data does not match – what do I do?
To ensure a secure link to a child’s data, the information you have in your mygovscot account must match the information held in the school system (SEEMiS). If the information does not match you will see a screen saying “Unfortunately, the details you provided did not match the data held in our records. Please check again that the details you entered were correct, if they were, please contact your child’s school to make sure the details held in the school system (SEEMiS) are correct to enable a secure link to be made.”
Examples of why the link failed – your name or address appear differently in the school system; you have entered the incorrect details for your child – did you use a nickname? did you provide the correct address for your child? Did you enter the correct year stage for your child? (P = Primary / S = Secondary).
If you are sure the information you have in your mygovscot account matches which is held in the school system about you, please contact your child’s school directly.
What security measures are in place within school’s if a parent/guardian cannot link a child and contact the school office?
We will ensure that both your own, as well as your child’s personal data which is held by your child’s school, is only ever accessible to those who have parental rights.
If you need to contact the school office regarding a failed link attempt, please be aware that school staff will ask parents/guardians several security questions relating to you and your child before being able to provide you with advice.
Parents/guardians can also make enquiries via email. The school will only be able to help the parent/guardian if the email address matches the email address which is held by the school.
I didn’t receive the security code – what do I do?
At Step 2, you can choose to receive a security code via text message to your mobile or via e-mail.
If you requested to receive the security code via e-mail, and it hasn’t arrived, please check your junk or spam folder in case it is in there.
If the code hasn’t arrived via e-mail or mobile phone, it could be that the school doesn’t have the up to date e-mail address or mobile phone number for you. It is the parent/carers responsibility to ensure the school has your current contact details. If you have not received the security code, please contact your child’s school and inform them that you did not receive the security code, and that you need to double check that the e-mail address and mobile phone number they hold for you is correct.
How long will it take for the school to approve my request to link my account to my child’s details?
School staff will check the system every working day, however please allow them 5 working days. If you have not heard anything within 5 working days, please contact your child’s school.
What if my request to link to a child has been rejected?
If your request to link your account to your child has been rejected, please contact your child’s school.
How secure is mygovscot account and parentsportal.scot?
Mygovscot has been carefully designed to give you highly secure access to public sector services and keep you in control of your personal information.
When you register for a mygovscot account, the information you provide is cross-checked with information held by National Records of Scotland (NRS) if you are resident in Scotland to ensure nobody else can create a fraudulent account in your name.
The physical and informational security policies, procedures, practices and configuration of the mygovscot account and parentsportal.scot service all follow current best practice. The system's security is regularly reviewed and audited.
Will you ever ask for my username or password by e-mail or over the phone?
No. We will never ask for your sign-in details by email or phone.
What must I do to keep my account secure?
When you register for a mygovscot account, you will agree to keep your account details secure and will not divulge your sign-in details or security questions to any third parties.
If a person or organisation asks for your username or password by email or over the phone, it may be a 'phishing' scam. To keep your account secure, never share your sign-in details with anyone.
What other services will you be adding to parentsportal.scot?
Initially you’ll be able to sign into parentsportal.scot and if you click on “Available services” you can click to go into the online school payment system without signing in again. You’ll also be able to see the school calendar, as well as other useful links.
Over time we will be adding other services, including updating your own details, so the school is made aware of a change of address, email address or phone number. Other future services include school placing requests, parent’s night bookings, consent slips for school trips etc. We will let you know when these new services are available.