About ASN

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (ASL Act 2004) introduced a new framework for supporting children and young people in their school education. Further amendments were introduced in the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009.

Additional Support Needs is the expression which applies to children and young people who, for whatever reason, require extra help or additional support in order to help them make the most of their school education. The old term of ‘special educational needs’ is not used any more in Scotland.

Some examples of situations that may give rise to additional support needs include:

• The learning environment is not appropriate for a child’s individual needs
• Family circumstances are affecting a child’s ability to learn
• The child has a disability or health need
• A child is experiencing social or emotional problems

More information about additional support needs is available from Enquire, the Scottish Advice Service for Additional Support for Learning.

The ASL Act 2004  also introduced a duty on local authorities to provide access to independent mediation for resolving disputes with parents and carers of children and young people with additional support needs when or if they arise.