Our school complies with the Additional Support for Learning (Scotland) Act 2004 as amended by the Additional Support for Learning (Scotland) Act 2009 and the Additional Support for Learning: Statutory Guidance 2017.
Elspeth Singleton is our Educational Psychologist who works with us in assessing children and directing appropriate programmes of study. Parental consent is always sought prior to any assessment taking place. Some children in school have extra support from support staff or members of the Senior Leadership Team.
We can refer children for Speech and Language therapy after discussion with parents/carers. Bilingual Support is available for children who have English as an additional language.
We have several members of support staff who assist the class teachers in working with able children or those who need a little extra help. Able children are challenged through having access to appropriate resources, which provide extension work. The Additional Support for Learning Education (Additional Support for Learning) Scotland Act 2004 states the framework for supporting children and young people in their education. This term applies to children and young people who, for whatever reason (including slow academic progress, behavioural issues, bereavement, loss or bullying) require additional support, long or short term, in order to help them make the most of their school education.
Care experienced children i.e. children who are cared for directly, or whose care is supervised by, the local authority are deemed to have Additional Support Needs unless assessment determines otherwise. The head teacher oversees the welfare and development of care experienced children.
“I can’t praise the school enough for the care, support and education they have given and still give to my child. Staff do an amazing job, information is always given out in plenty of time, events are well planned. Parents are also supported well. Kildrum is a brilliant school. “ Parent (May 2023)
Getting it Right for Me Plans (GIRFMe Plans)
GIRFMe enable staff to plan effectively for children and young people when interventions are required to support their learning a improve outcomes. Parents/carers and pupils are an essential part of the assessment; planning and review processes and their views will be actively sought.
Some children and young people may require significant support from education and at least one other agency, such as health, social work and/or voluntary agency to help them meet their learning targets. Where this support requires a high level or co-ordination the opening of a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) may be considered. A CSP may be initiated by the school or another agency. Parents/carers and young people can, if they wish, request that a CSP be considered and would be involved in the process. Parents/carers will receive letters from the Education Authority throughout the CSP process. Parents/carers and young people will be invited to take part in multiagency meetings and their views will be recorded in the plan.
Where more intensive support for a child or young person needs to be planned for, usually when a number of agencies are involved in supporting their wellbeing then a Child’s Plan may be developed. The plan will tell you what actions need to be taken and who will help with each action. It will usually be someone called a ‘Lead Professional’ who will have the job of making sure that the actions outlined in the plan take place and things get better for the child or young person.
“Kildrum Primary School really thinks of the different needs of each pupil” Parent (May 2023)
Dispute Resolution
North Lanarkshire Council is committed to resolving any differences of views through discussion, dialogue and building on common ground. If the matter cannot be resolved with the Education Authority you have the right to request mediation. An independent mediation service is available to parents/carers and young people through Resolve (see contact details at the back of this handbook). Mediation is free through Resolve and independent of the Education Authority. In the event that a disagreement cannot be resolved through mediation, then an application for Independent Adjudication (see contact details at the back of this handbook) can be made by parents/carers free of charge. The Independent Adjudicator will make recommendations to the Education Authority about how the dispute should be resolved. The Additional Support Needs Tribunal has been set up to hear appeals made by parents/carers or young people on the decisions made by the Education Authority relating to Co- ordinated Support Plans, placing requests and post school transition. If you disagree with any decision relating to your child’s Co-ordinated Support Plan, either the creation of a CSP, or the content of it, you may be entitled to refer to the Tribunal.
