FamilyFX: The Family Reset System
Local support in Orkney Islands

Additional support needs in Orkney: coordinating school and health support

Orkney Islands Council provides education support through schools and its Pupil Support Team. NHS Orkney is the local health board.

Sources checked 14 August 2026Next review 14 August 2027
An illustrated Orkney landscape of low green islands, stone crofts, sheltered water and a distant sea stack.
Stylised illustration representing the area's character, not an exact photograph of a landmark or service location.

How support is organised in Orkney Islands

In Orkney, a child may attend school on the Mainland or on another island, while specialist input may be local, visiting, remote or delivered outside Orkney. Begin with the people who see the child learning each day and explain the barrier in practical terms.

Ask what the school can adjust immediately and when the Pupil Support Team or another service may become involved. Inter-island travel, timetables and time away from class should be considered as part of the support plan, not left for the family to solve after a referral has been made.

Orkney Islands Council is the education authority. Its Pupil Support Team includes services that support schools and children with additional needs. The school remains the starting point for most education concerns and can explain which part of the team is relevant.

NHS Orkney provides local healthcare and works with mainland boards for some specialist services. The referral letter or receiving team is the best source for an individual pathway. Enquire provides independent information about Scotland's additional support for learning system and can help families understand planning and rights.

FamilyFX local support signals

The local picture in Orkney Islands

This section maps the current health bodies serving this area and, where a comparable official measure is available, presents it alongside the national figure. It is not a rating of the area or the quality of an individual service.

Health

NHS boards for Orkney Islands

Territorial NHS boards plan and provide many local health services in Scotland. A particular assessment or treatment may be delivered by another team or through a regional pathway.

NHS OrkneyCovers NHS Orkney areaVisit NHS board website

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

Local organisations and advice

Orkney Islands Council

Covers Orkney Islands

The council is responsible for education and provides the Pupil Support Team.

Visit website

NHS Orkney

Covers NHS Orkney area

The board provides local health services and works with mainland services for some specialist care.

Visit website

Enquire

Covers Scotland

Independent national advice about additional support for learning and education rights.

Visit website

NHS inform

Covers Scotland

Use current NHS inform guidance for urgent mental health help; call 999 if life is at immediate risk.

Visit website

Services and local pathways

Additional support for learning guidance

Scottish Government additional support for learning

Official Scottish Government guidance about additional support for learning.

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.

Check current details

Enquire advice for families

Enquire

Independent advice for parents, carers, children and young people.

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.

Check current details

Practical next steps

Ask the school to record what is being tried, how often it will happen and when it will be reviewed. If support depends on a visiting professional, clarify what school staff will do between visits and who will update the family.

Before a mainland or inter-island appointment, confirm travel arrangements, likely time away and what evidence the service needs in advance. If a ferry, flight or weather disruption causes a cancellation, record it and ask the provider how the appointment will be rearranged. Where remote contact is offered, check whether it is appropriate for the child's communication and the purpose of the appointment.

Related FamilyFX help

Library articleSchool Support Scotland Wales Northern IrelandUse the correct Scottish education framework and terminology.Library articleSend Rights Scotland Wales Northern IrelandUnderstand how rights and formal plans differ across the UK.Library articleKeeping A Record For School And Gp MeetingsBuild a concise record for education and health conversations.
Help us strengthen this directory

Do you support SEND families in Orkney Islands?

If you are part of a charity, parent group, advice service, inclusive activity or another organisation supporting SEND families in Orkney Islands, we would like to hear from you. Send us your website, the area you cover, who the service is for and how families can get in touch. We check submissions before deciding whether to add them.

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Sources and checking dates

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