Additional Support Needs for Children and Young People

Additional Support Needs

For Children and Young People

Additional needs and support services

Any number of different circumstances can affect an individual child's ability to learn. Children may need extra help with their education for a wide variety of reasons. They may be affected by issues resulting from:

social or emotional difficulties
behaviour difficulties
problems at home
bullying
being particularly gifted
a sensory impairment or communication problem
a physical disability
being a young carer or parent
moving frequently
having English as an additional language

These may be short term or more complex and need long term support.

A new law, the Additional Support for Learning Act strengthens and modernises the system for supporting children and young people who need help to benefit from education. See the information below.

What are additional support needs?

A child may need additional support at any time during their school life from the age of three when they start pre-school education or younger if a practitioner employed NHS Board has referred your child to the education department.

Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004.

This took effect from 14 November 2005. There is more information available to you if you are

The parent of a child or young person with a Record of Needs then this information regarding the new legislation is for you

If you want information on the effect the Act will have within Scottish Borders schools

Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004

The following documents give you details on the progress being made in implementing this Act within Scottish Borders.

The Act summary briefing which outlines the duties and responsibilities for school, education authority and other agencies.
The progress summary which describes the implementation of the act within the Scottish Borders.

A suite of three leaflets has been introduced for parents, carers and young people