Additional Support for Learning Strategy

Our Education Service has an Additional Support for Learning Strategy. It outlines priority tasks to help meet the needs of learners with additional support needs across all education establishments in Fife.

All children in Fife have the right to attend their local school. It's the role of the school to support all children, including those who may need additional support.

Supporting Learners' Service

Some children and young people need more support in school to help them to learn. Additional support may be needed for a short time or a longer period. A smaller number of pupils need additional support throughout their time at school. Additional support needs (ASN) can be present from birth or can occur at any point in their life. This could be for a number of reasons:

• the learning environment
• family circumstances
• health and care needs
• social and emotional factors

The kind of additional support we give is wide and varied and depends on your child. The Supporting Learners’ Service can help schools to meet the needs of learners who have an ASN. The Supporting Learners’ Service is made up of multiple teams.

Primary Enhanced Provision (PEP) and special schools

It may be that the local school is not always the best option for your child if they have additional support needs. The most appropriate schooling may be within an additional support needs class or a specialist school. Before a decision is made, we will work with you to ensure the best for your child.

Pupil Support Service

The Pupil Support Service is part of a multi-agency support team which help children who are experiencing significant challenges in their lives. We want to make sure education is available, regardless of personal circumstances. This includes supporting children who find inclusion in school and their communities problematic.

We have well-developed procedures to identify, assess and respond to the additional support needs of our children. We encourage everyone to be involved in any decisions. School staff work in close partnership with a range of other agencies to support children and young people.

If you have concerns about your child’s progress or their additional support needs, speak to the Headteacher in your child’s school.

You can also contact Enquire – the Scottish advice service for additional support for learning. Enquire offers independent, confidential advice and information on additional support for learning through:

• their website – www.enquire.org.uk
• a telephone helpline – 0345 123 2303
• an email enquiry service – info@enquire.org.uk