An additional support need comes from anything which is a barrier to learning.
Most or all schools will have some children with additional support needs of some kind. The education authority has many legal duties towards pupils with additional support needs. Information about this is contained in a booklet called In On The Act : Information For The General Public which is published on the education authority website at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/inontheact.
Or contact the additional support for learning team (Mrs Henry or Mrs Leach) on telephone number 0131 445 4545.
What does ‘additional support for learning’ mean?
There are many reasons why a child might need extra support in school.
These include:
- having a learning difficulty or disability (such as Autism or Dyslexia)
- finding it difficult to control their behaviour
- making themselves understood
- having a mental health problem
- being bullied
- caring for someone at home
- being particularly able
- changing schools a lot
- having a difficult family situation
- being looked after or in care
- having a family member in ill or in prison.
Some children need a lot of support. Others only need a small amount for a short time. Support can be provided in many ways.
A child does not need a formal diagnosis to be entitled to support but it can be helpful to meet their learning needs.
If your child has additional support needs, they may need help from people who don’t work in the school – like speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, youth workers or social workers.
Buckstone Primary School 