Sikeside Primary 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.
North Lanarkshire Council’s policy is contained within “Support for Learning Policy into Practice 2”, a copy of which is available in the School. The school has a Support for Learning Policy, available from the school on request which is consistent with North Lanarkshire Council guidelines.
Children with additional support needs are identified, their needs assessed and discussion with parents arranged, in order to plan and support each child according to their needs. In forming a plan, continual assessment and review is included. The Class Teacher, support for learning internal and any other relevant agencies will be involved in this process with the Head Teacher being the main point of contact.
Level 1 – where education staff identify that a child or young person needs support or planning which can be met within the school using classroom and whole school resources
Level 2 – Requesting support from within Education Youth and Communities (services/resources out with school) e.g. Educational Psychologist, Community Learning and Development
Level 3 – Requesting support from another agency (Joint working with partner agency/agencies including 3rd Sector). When further planning is required to further develop the wellbeing of children and young people the Named Person may request assistance from colleagues in partner agencies.
Level 4 – Integrated and Compulsory working with other agency/agencies. Targeted intervention(s) required to promote the wellbeing of the child would be identified by relevant agencies (child’s Network of Support) and included in the Child’s Plan. A Lead Professional would be identified. At level 4 there would an expectation that a statutory Child’s Plan with integrated assessment, integrated chronology and Lead Professional is in place.
We will make application to the appropriate specialist services in order to cater for any additional support needs. We will also contact English as an Additional Language Unit if this support is required.
Looked After 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.
Parents and young people can request an assessment at any time to establish whether a child or young person has additional needs and requires a Co-ordinated Support Plan. Please contact the Head Teacher if this is something you require.
| Planning |
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Getting it Right for Me plans (GIRFMe) enable staff to plan effectively for children and young people when interventions are required to support their learning and 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. |
| Dispute Resolution |
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North Lanarkshire Council is committed to resolving any differences of views through discussion, dialogue and building on common ground. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
