Additional support needs for learning in Scotland

In Scotland, the term ‘additional support needs’ is used for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

This page gives a brief overview of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (as amended 2009) and the Supporting Children’s Learning: Code of Practice.

The Additional Support for Learning Act

​The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (as amended 2009):

• Created the term ‘additional support needs’.
• Places duties on local authorities to identify, meet and keep under review the needs of pupils for whom they are responsible.
• Gives parents a number of rights, including the right to:
  • Mediation.
  • Dispute resolution.
  • Refer decisions to the Additional Support Needs Tribunals for matters concerned with a co-ordinated support plan.

Supporting Children’s Learning: Code of Practice 

The Supporting Children’s Learning: Code of Practice sets out what local authorities and other agencies must do to support children’s and young people’s learning under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (as amended 2009).

This content was last reviewed in April 2023. We’ll review it again next year.