Policy and legislation for children who require additional support

Introduction

Having a good understanding of policy and legislation that can support you at work is an important part of your role as an ELC practitioner. Having a good understanding of Scottish policy and legislation will give you the confidence to develop policies in your settings that will help you and your colleagues to develop good practice.

Scottish Government legislation and policy is influenced by global policy – The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC, 1989). The UNCRC was launched in 1989 by the United Nations as a global initiative aimed at improving children’s lives, influencing how children’s education, health and childcare are shaped. Article 12 is the right for children to have their voice heard. In the context of ELC practice, listening to children – not just what they tell us through language, but by what they tell us through non-verbal communication – is a strongly held value.

This section will summarise key policy and legislation that relates to ELC in Scotland. You will then be encouraged to consider the connections between additional support for learning and wider policy, guidance and legislation for ELC settings. For instance, how does Scottish policy and legislation promote and maximise the inclusion of children who require additional support? You will be asked to consider how your values and your setting reflects the principles of inclusion in its policies.

Figure 6.1  Policies and procedure folders

The content of Week 6 links to module learning outcome (LO) 6:

  • LO6  Understand legislative duties that support children with ASN.

By the end of Week 6 you will be able to:

  • be familiar with and know where to find key policies

  • recognise the connection between policy and practice

  • be familiar with policies in your setting and local authority.

Continue to 6.1  Finding out about legislation and policies [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .

6.1  Finding out about legislation and policies