More support for children with additional support needs

The Scottish Government has announced that the rights of children with additional support needs (ASN) and their parents are to be strengthened through changes to the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004. Parents of ASN children, including those with a co-ordinated support plan (CSP), will now be able to request that their child attend a school in another local authority, through an out of area placing request.

Where a child has a CSP - the educational plan to meet their needs - parents will also have a right to appeal to the ASN Tribunal for Scotland if the placing request is refused. Furthermore, when a child is attending a school in another authority as a result of a placing request they will now have access to mediation and dispute resolution from the new 'host' authority.

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill - which amends the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 - will mean that if an out of area placing request is successful, responsibility for the child's or young person's education transfers to the new 'host' authority. The Bill will also extend the circumstances in which parents can make references to the ASN Tribunal.

Scottish Government News Release: More support for special needs children