FamilyFX: The Family Reset System
Local support in West Lothian

Additional support needs in West Lothian: understanding school options

West Lothian Council publishes information about mainstream support, enhanced resource bases and specialist schools. NHS Lothian provides health services.

Sources checked 14 August 2026Next review 14 August 2027
An illustrated West Lothian canal with a towpath, stone cottages, low hills and the distant Firth of Forth.
Stylised illustration representing the area's character, not an exact photograph of a landmark or service location.

How support is organised in West Lothian

A discussion about additional support can quickly become a discussion about where a child should be taught. In West Lothian, begin one step earlier: identify the barrier, the help already tried and what the child needs in order to learn and take part. The setting should follow from that evidence, not replace it.

Ask the school what can be strengthened in the present placement and how any consideration of an enhanced resource base or specialist school will be assessed. A family should understand the proposed benefit, the decision route and how the child's views are being heard.

West Lothian Council is responsible for education. Its Education Support Services information covers mainstream support, enhanced resource bases, specialist schools, statutory support and interrupted learning. Different routes apply to different levels and types of need.

NHS Lothian covers West Lothian alongside Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian. A health assessment may contribute evidence, but education planning should continue according to the barriers already identified. Enquire provides independent Scottish advice about additional support, placements and rights.

FamilyFX local support signals

The local picture in West Lothian

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 West Lothian

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 LothianCovers NHS Lothian 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

West Lothian Council

Covers West Lothian

The council publishes mainstream, enhanced and specialist education information.

Visit website

NHS Lothian

Covers NHS Lothian area

The health board also covers Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian.

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 for the current support plan before focusing on a placement name. It should describe actions, frequency, staff responsibility, intended outcomes and review dates. If a panel or assessment process is proposed, request its purpose, evidence requirements and expected decision point in plain language.

Consider transport, length of day, peer relationships and transitions when comparing settings. For NHS referrals, record the receiving team and appointment location. Keep the two processes connected without assuming that one must finish before reasonable support can begin in the other.

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 West Lothian?

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