St. Mary’s Primary complies with the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 as amended by the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009. 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.

 Additional Support for Learning is provided for children and young people who, for whatever reason, require additional support, long or short term, in order to help them make the most of their school education. Through a process of continual review, observation, assessment and professional dialogue the school is well placed to identify pupil needs and plan for provision that meets ongoing needs. Parents are invited to work in partnership to review pupil targets. All staff working to provide support are knowledgeable about children’s learning targets and work to help them realise their potential.

Assistance is given to pupils reflecting the Education, Skills and Youth Employment staged intervention process that is:

Level 1: Internal support, where education staff identify that a child or young person needs support or planning which can be met within the school and whole school resources.

Level 2: Internal support, where education staff identify that a child or young person needs support or planning from within education. Such support is requested from resources/services outwith school such as Educational Psychologist or Community Learning & Development.

Level 3: External support where education staff identify that the child or young person requires support or planning from joint working with other agencies. When further planning is required to further develop the wellbeing of children and young people the Named Person may require assistance form 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 the 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 be an expectation that a statutory Child’s Plan with integrated assessment, integrated chronology and Lead Professional is in place.

This integrated system is coordinated by the Head Teacher and the Principal Teacher who has responsibility for additional support needs. Network staff work cooperatively with school staff to identify strategies to support learning. The school has timetabled visits from an Educational Psychologist throughout the session. Specialist services provide additional advice or material resources for pupils with Additional Support Needs and for pupils who have English as an additional language.

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. The Head Teacher has the responsibility for any relevant arrangements within the school for Looked After and Accommodated Children.

Parents and young people can request an assessment at any time to establish whether a child or young person has additional needs and/or requires a Co-ordinated Support Plan. The Head Teacher is the point of contact for such a request. Parents and pupils are an essential part of the assessment; planning and review processes and your views will be actively sought.

PLANNING

Supported by the education authority, the school will be fully involved in the support of all pupils who have a Coordinated Support Plan, Getting It Right For Me Plan or support need.

Getting It Right For Me Plans (GIRFMe’s) enable staff to plan effectively for children and young people with Additional Support Needs.

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 of 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 and young people can, if they wish, request that a CSP be considered and would be involved in the process. Parents will receive letters from the Education Authority throughout the CSP process.  Parents and young people will be invited to take part in multi-agency meetings and their views will be recorded in the plan.