1.1.2 Additional Support Needs

In Scotland pupils who may require additional support under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, as amended, have a barrier to learning as a result of one or more of the four factors giving rise to additional support needs:

  • Learning environment
  • Family circumstances
  • Disability or health need
  • Social and emotional factors
Described image
Figure 3 Barriers to Learning
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This is diagram highlights the four factors which give rise to additional support needs.

Figure 3 Barriers to Learning

Additional support is a broad and inclusive term which applies to children or young people who, for whatever reason, require additional support, long or short term, in order to help them make the most of their school education and to be included fully in their learning. ‘Additional Support Needs’ is the standard terminology used in Scotland when children and young people need more – or different - support to what is normally provided in schools or pre-schools to children of the same age. The term additional support needs covers a wide range of factors and children or young people may require additional support for a variety of reasons.

Activity 3 Revealed task

Think about your understanding of additional support needs and why children and young people may need some additional support. You may choose to take notes in your reflective log.

Click ‘reveal’ to see a list which highlights that children or young people may require additional support for a variety of reasons. Please note that this list in not exhaustive.

Discussion

These may include those who:

  • Have motor or sensory impairment
  • Are being bullied
  • Are particularly able or talented
  • Have experienced a bereavement
  • Are interrupted learners
  • Have a learning disability
  • Are looked after by the local authority
  • Have a learning difficulty, such as dyslexia
  • Are living with parents who are abusing substances
  • Are living with parents who have mental health problems
  • Have English as an additional language
  • Are not attending school regularly
  • Have emotional or social difficulties
  • Are on the child protection register
  • Are young carers

Or any other reason.

Activity 4

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, as amended, states that a barrier to learning results from one or more of the factors giving rise to additional support needs, otherwise learning is inhibited.

What are the factors which give rise to additional support needs?

Discussion

Options:

Learning environment

Living environment

Family circumstances

Financial difficulties

A disability or health need

A disability

A health need

Social and emotional needs

Social needs

Emotional needs

Social deprivation

Learning activities

Play spaces

1.1.1 Inclusion and equality in educational policy

1.1.3 Overview of relevant legislation which supports inclusion.