Scottish Government

MOVING FORWARD!
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR LEARNING

Ministerial Foreword

A child's early years and time at school provide precious opportunities for learning. Opportunities missed at these times can have a major impact on a child's chances in later life. For this reason, we are determined that children, who need extra help, receive the right support at the right time.

Last year we consulted widely on proposals for change which would strengthen the current arrangements for identifying and meeting the needs of children who may need additional support for learning. We have now published proposals for change in our draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill. This document provides the context for these changes and sets them within an evolving framework of support for learning. It also links them to our national priorities for education.

Making the changes is not just about what happens in schools. We recognise the importance of joined-up working in delivering services for children who require additional support. These services must be well integrated and pull together. The agenda for change outlined in this document complements the positive steps being taken under the For Scotland's Children programme to improve the integration of children's services.

We are moving forward to a stronger framework for supporting learning. This framework is built around a commitment to inclusion and equality, and which welcomes diversity in our schools. We will work closely with staff who are in the frontline of delivering inclusive education for all Scotland's children. We will give children, parents and families a greater say in decisions affecting education so that all children can have the opportunity to develop and achieve to their full potential.

We still have much to do but I believe that our agenda for moving forward provides a basis for improving services to children who require additional support for learning and their families. This is what we all want and what they deserve.