FamilyFX: The Family Reset System
Local support in Scottish Borders

Additional support needs in the Scottish Borders: making support accessible

Scottish Borders Council is the education authority and NHS Borders provides health services. Distance and travel can be part of whether a plan works.

Sources checked 14 August 2026Next review 14 August 2027
An illustrated Scottish Borders valley with the River Tweed, stone walls, green hills and a ruined abbey.
Stylised illustration representing the area's character, not an exact photograph of a landmark or service location.

How support is organised in Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders covers towns, villages and a large rural area. A child may receive ordinary school support close to home while travelling much farther for a specialist appointment or placement discussion. Begin with the barrier the child meets each day and ask what the school can change within the current setting.

Scottish Borders Council gives examples ranging from adapted teaching and support at unstructured times to allied health input and specialist provision. The right combination depends on the child. A list of possible services is only useful when it becomes an individual, reviewable plan.

Scottish Borders Council is responsible for education. Its additional support section explains school planning, assessment requests, Co-ordinated Support Plans and routes for resolving disagreement. It directs families with concerns to the teacher or headteacher first.

NHS Borders is the territorial health board. Some highly specialised care may involve another board or a service outside the area, so families should follow the provider named in the referral. Enquire offers independent advice about additional support for learning throughout Scotland.

FamilyFX local support signals

The local picture in Scottish Borders

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 Scottish Borders

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 BordersCovers NHS Borders 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

Scottish Borders Council

Covers Scottish Borders

The council is responsible for education and local additional support decisions.

Visit website

NHS Borders

Covers NHS Borders area

The board provides local health services; some specialist care may involve another provider.

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 connect each barrier with a specific response and review point. If an assessment is needed, clarify the question, the professional or service involved and what support continues while it is arranged. Keep written requests and responses in the family record.

Where travel is substantial, check appointment timing, transport and the effect on the rest of the school day. Ask what happens when weather or distance disrupts access. Remote input may help with some reviews, but it should be chosen because it meets the child's needs and the purpose of the contact.

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 Scottish Borders?

If you are part of a charity, parent group, advice service, inclusive activity or another organisation supporting SEND families in Scottish Borders, 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.