Scottish pupils can now request addition educational support

Changes to the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 have come into force, extended a range of rights for Scottish children aged 12 to 15.

Previously, only available to parents, carers and over 16s the extension of rights means that children will now have more say than ever before in decisions about their education.

Children can now ask for their additional support needs to be identified and planned for; receive advice and information about their additional support needs; be part of discussions about the support that they will receive; and access dispute resolution procedures to resolve concerns

These rights will be balanced by safeguards and supported by a newly created service which will help children access advice at every stage of the process to enable them to become fully involved in decisions about their education.

Deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for education and skills, John Swinney, launched the amendments during a visit to Wallace High School. He said: “We want Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow up, that means ensuring every young person is given an equal chance to fulfil their potential.

“I am already extremely proud of our record on inclusion but these new measures go even further to ensure that children in Scotland have the most rights in Europe when it comes to accessing the support they need within the education system.

“It is an extremely fitting start to the Year of Young People that children will now be more involved in the decisions that affect their education and be given a stronger voice on issues which affect their lives.”