Additional Support Needs
“My son loves coming to school. The school has helped him to manage his emotions and the staff take the time to really know and understand him.”
Parent (2025 Audit)
At Kildrum Primary School, we believe that every child deserves the support they need to succeed. Children learn in different ways and may need additional support at different times during their school journey.
Support can be provided for a wide range of reasons, including learning needs, social or emotional difficulties, bereavement, bullying, interrupted learning, or health and wellbeing concerns. Some children may require support for a short period of time, while others may need ongoing assistance.
Our staff work closely with children and families to identify needs early and put the right support in place. This may include:
- Support from class teachers, support staff or members of the Senior Leadership Team
- Tailored learning programmes and interventions
- Support from our Educational Psychologist
- Access to partner agencies, such as Speech and Language Therapy
- Bilingual support for pupils who have English as an additional language
- Additional challenge and enrichment for children requiring greater depth in their learning
Parents and carers are involved throughout the process, and consent is always sought before any formal assessments take place.
We are also committed to supporting the wellbeing and achievement of care experienced children and young people, ensuring that appropriate support is in place to help them thrive.
“My son has additional support needs and I feel the school works hard to ensure his needs are met and that we are kept informed every step of the way.”
Parent (2024 Audit)
GIRFMe Plans
When additional support is required, staff use Getting it Right for Me (GIRFMe) Plans to help plan, monitor and review support strategies.
Parents, carers and pupils are key partners in this process. Their views are actively sought and taken into account when deciding what support is needed and how progress will be measured.
For some children, support may involve working with other agencies such as health services, social work or voluntary organisations. When this happens, plans help everyone work together to achieve the best outcomes for the child.
In cases where a high level of coordinated support is required from education and other agencies, a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) may be considered. Parents and carers are fully involved in this process and will receive information and guidance from the local authority throughout.
Where more significant planning is needed to support a child’s wellbeing, a Child’s Plan may be put in place. This sets out:
- The child’s needs and strengths
- The support that will be provided
- Who will be responsible for each action
- How progress will be reviewed
A designated Lead Professional will coordinate the plan and ensure that support is delivered effectively.
“Staff work incredibly hard to meet the needs of my child. There is no problem that can’t be solved within the school to help keep him happy, settled and successful.”
Parent (2024 Audit)
Working Together to Resolve Concerns
We value positive relationships with parents and carers and are committed to resolving concerns quickly and collaboratively.
If you have a concern about your child’s additional support, we encourage you to speak with the school in the first instance. Most issues can be resolved through discussion and partnership working.
If concerns cannot be resolved at school or local authority level, parents and carers have access to independent services including:
- Mediation, provided free of charge through an independent service
- Independent Adjudication, where recommendations can be made to the local authority
- The Additional Support Needs Tribunal for Scotland, which considers certain appeals relating to Co-ordinated Support Plans, placing requests and post-school transitions
Further information can be obtained by contacting the school, and we will be happy to signpost families to the appropriate support and advice services.
