FamilyFX: The Family Reset System
Local support in Scotland

Additional support needs in Scotland: a practical starting point

Scotland uses the term additional support needs, or ASN. Support is based on the barrier a child or young person faces, and the term covers much more than a diagnosis or disability.

Sources checked 14 August 2026Next review 14 August 2027
A warm illustrated Scottish landscape of a mountain loch, heather, woodland and a small settlement.
Stylised illustration representing the area's character, not an exact photograph of a landmark or service location.

How support is organised in Scotland

A child may need additional support for a short time or throughout their education. The reason could relate to learning, communication, health, family circumstances, bullying, bereavement, being a young carer or many other factors. The important point is whether something is getting in the way of benefiting from education.

You can raise a concern with the nursery or school without waiting for a diagnosis. Ask what staff are seeing, what support can begin now and how you and your child will be involved in reviewing it.

The school and education authority share responsibilities for identifying and meeting additional support needs. Most planning happens through ordinary school processes. Some children with significant, enduring needs that require support from several agencies may meet the legal tests for a co-ordinated support plan, but not every child who needs substantial help will have one.

Health services are organised separately through NHS boards. A health professional may contribute assessment or support, but educational help should respond to the child's needs rather than pause until a clinical assessment is complete.

Enquire is Scotland's national advice service for additional support for learning. It provides independent information for parents, carers, children, young people and professionals, including help to understand rights and routes for resolving disagreements.

Urgent help

Urgent mental health help in Scotland

NHS inform guidance for urgent mental health support. Call 999 if life is at immediate risk.

Visit Urgent mental health help in Scotland

National organisations and independent advice

Scottish Government additional support for learning

The national policy source for additional support for learning in Scotland.

Visit website

Enquire

Independent advice about additional support for learning and education rights.

Visit website

NHS inform

Official Scottish urgent mental health information.

Visit website

National guidance and support

Additional support for learning guidance

Scottish Government additional support for learning

Scottish Government information about additional support needs, education authority duties and the national framework.

Who it is for: Children and young people in Scotland who need extra help to benefit from education.

How to access it: Raise the concern with the nursery, school or education authority and use the official guidance to understand the framework.

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Enquire advice for families

Enquire

Independent information and advice about additional support for learning in Scotland.

Who it is for: Parents, carers, children and young people in Scotland, as well as people supporting them.

How to access it: Read the guidance online or contact Enquire for advice about a specific education question.

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Practical next steps

Begin with a specific example of what is not working. Ask the school what it understands the need to be, what will change, who is responsible and when progress will be reviewed. Include your child's view in a form they can manage, even if that is a few words, drawings or observations from someone they trust.

If support involves education, health or social work, ask who is coordinating the plan and how information will be shared. If decisions or language are unclear, Enquire can help you understand the relevant duties and prepare your questions.

Keep copies of plans and brief notes of important conversations. A simple timeline often makes it easier to show what has been tried and where support is still falling short.

Related FamilyFX help

Library articleSchool Support Scotland Wales Northern IrelandCompare school support across the UK nations.Library articleSend Rights Scotland Wales Northern IrelandUnderstand the different national rights frameworks.Library articleDoes My Child Need A Diagnosis For School SupportSeparate education support from the diagnostic process.

Sources and checking dates

Local services change. We check the sources below and review any substantive change before altering the page.