Additional support needs

We work closely with parents and agencies such as health and careers to ensure all children and young people live as part of their local community and have opportunities to develop their full potential.

The terms special needs, learning difficulties and additional support needs cover a wide spectrum. Some children are diagnosed at birth with complex disabilities; some children may need a bit of extra help with their reading or writing; and there are young people with behavioural difficulties or family circumstances which hold them back at school. Young people can also need additional support because their first language is not English or they are exceptionally gifted.

A Policy Statement that sets out South Lanarkshire's approach to Inclusive Education and Support for Learning was first published in 2001 and has been updated to reflect new legislation contained in the Additional Support for Learning (Scotland) Act 2004 which came into effect in Autumn 2005. The Inclusion and Equality policy statement can be found in related publications to the left of this page.