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Additional Support for Learning - the facts
All children, regardless of background, have the right to get the help and support they need in school to succeed. In Scotland, there is a law called the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. The ASL Act aims to make sure all children get the support they need with their learning.
What does the Act do?
The ASL Act gives parents or carers certain rights under the law: These include the right to ask the education authority to find out if a child has additional support needs; the right to information and advice about a child’s additional support needs; and the right to have a supporter or representative at any meeting with the school or education authority. It also puts responsibilities on education authorities to ensure the child’s needs are met.
Why might a child need extra help?
There are many reasons why a child may need additional support with learning. Some children need long-term support because of an illness or disability while others may only need extra help for a short period of time to help them through a difficult time. A child may benefit from additional support if they are:
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being bullied
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finding it difficult to control their behaviour
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dealing with the death of a loved one
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caring for a family member
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‘looked after’ or in care
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struggling to make themselves understood (either because English is not their first language or because of a speech or language difficulty)
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gifted
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being abused or neglected
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struggling with alcohol or drug problems
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missing a lot of school
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changing schools alot
These are just a few examples. Whatever the reason, additional support should be geared towards the individual needs of the child and to helping them reach their fullest potential.
Improvements to the Act
The ASL Act (and it’s accompanying code of practice) had been in place since 2004 and following consultations with parents and professionals working in the field, it was recognised that certain changes were need to it. In May 2009, the Scottish Parliament passed a new Act (the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009) which incorporated the amendments and which aimed to improve and simplify the original ASL Act.
How can you get help?
Traveller families can call STEP for advice or contact Enquire www.enquire.org.uk, the national advice and information service for additional support for learning.
Enquire’s helpline staff are well-trained and happy to answer any question about additional support for learning – even if it seems really small. So give them a call on 0845 123 2303. Enquire can also provide lots of useful guides and fact-sheets to help parents and carers understand what the ASL Act means to them and their child.
Enquire also offers advice and information to children and young people too. Look at Enquire’ young peoples website for guides on everything from understanding additional support needs to going to secondary school to leaving school.
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