• Getting extra help at school in Scotland 
• How are additional support needs identified? 
• What happens during an assessment? 
• Your rights 
• Getting an IEP or similar plan 
• Getting a CSP 
• Requesting a school 
• Getting help and support 
• Links, resources and article sources 

Getting extra help at school in Scotland 

Children in Scotland who need extra help at school are described as having additional support needs (ASN). In other parts of the UK, this is called special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). 

Many children get support without a formal plan. Schools are expected to use their existing resources to meet most children’s needs, usually in mainstream education. 

However, some children need more help. In these cases, an education plan may be used to describe what support they need and how it should be provided. 

Even if your child does not have a plan, the school still has a duty to support them. 
 

Types of education plan 

There are two main types of education plan in Scotland: 


Individualised Educational Programme (IEP) or similar 

An IEP is created by your child’s school. It helps them plan and track the support your child gets. 

Depending on where you live, this type of plan may have a different name, such as an additional support plan (ASP). 

IEPs and similar plans are not legally binding. 


Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) 

A Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) is created by the local authority after a formal assessment. 

It is legally binding, which means the support in it must be provided. 

A CSP is for children with complex or high-level needs that the school cannot meet on its own. 

Some children may have both an IEP and a CSP. 

How are additional support needs identified? 

Schools often identify a child’s needs through their usual checks and reviews. 

If this has not happened, you can talk to the school about your concerns and ask for a meeting. You can use our letter template to request a meeting.

If you feel your child’s needs have not been fully identified by the school, you can ask your local authority for a formal assessment. You will also need to do this if you think your child needs a CSP. 

You can ask for an assessment at any stage of your child’s education. It doesn’t have to be part of a request for a CSP. 

Who can ask for an assessment? 

An assessment can be requested by: 

• the school 
• parents or carers 
• your child (if they are over 12). 

A formal request in writing must be sent to your local authority, by email or post. 

What happens after you ask for an assessment? 

If the local authority agrees, they will arrange assessments and collect information about your child’s needs. 

If they refuse, they must explain why and tell you how to challenge the decision. 

You may be able to: 

• use mediation or dispute resolution 
• appeal if needed. 

What happens during an assessment? 

The local authority will collect information through: 

• tests and assessments 
• reports from services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, psychologists, health or social work. 

You can: 

• ask for a specific assessment or test 
• suggest professionals to do the tests (but this isn’t guaranteed to happen) 
• provide any reports you have commissioned privately. 

What happens next? 

Once your child’s needs are identified, the local authority must make sure they are supported. The law does not say exactly how this must happen. 

Support may be provided through: 

• an IEP or similar plan 
• a CSP 
• another type of plan. 

Parents should be told clearly what support will be provided. 

Most children do not get a CSP. But you can ask for one if you believe your child needs that level of support. 

Some parents find it hard to get the right support in place. In this situation, it is important to know your rights. 

Your rights 

The ASN system in Scotland is based on the: 

• Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 
• Additional support for learning: statutory guidance 2017 (known as the Code of Practice.) 

The Code of Practice explains how the law should work in everyday situations and what schools and local authorities must do.

Getting an IEP or similar plan 

If your child does not have a CSP, they may have an IEP or another type of support plan. These are created by the school. 

The school should involve: 

• you and your child 
• school staff 
• other professionals supporting your child. 

An IEP will usually include: 

• your child’s needs 
• targets for your child 
• the support they will get 
• who will provide the support. 

You should be able to give feedback, but you cannot formally appeal an IEP because it isn’t legally binding. 

IEPs should be reviewed regularly. This could be once a term, once a year, or more often. 

Other similar plans include: 

• Individualised learning plan (ILP) 
• Individualised behaviour programme (IBP) 
• Individualised educational and care programme (IECP) 
• Additional support plan (ASP). 

Getting a CSP 

Local authorities must identify children who may need a CSP. 

If you think your child needs one, you should ask (in writing) for a formal assessment. 

The local authority must: 

• reply within 8 weeks (or 16 weeks in the summer holidays) 
• if they agree, complete the assessment and plan within 16 weeks. 

If they refuse, you can appeal to the ASN Tribunal (First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Health and Education Chamber, also known as the ASN jurisdiction). 

Who can get a CSP? 

A child may get a CSP if they: 

• have complex or multiple needs 
• these have a ‘significant adverse (negative) effect’ on their learning and development 
• are likely to need support for at least 12 months. 

What should be in a CSP? 

A CSP should include: 

• your child’s needs 
• their learning goals 
• the support they will get 
• the school they will attend 
• when the plan will be reviewed. 

The support should match your child’s specific needs. You can see examples in our page on What can my autistic child get support with at school?  
You should be able to comment on a draft of the plan and challenge parts of it if needed. 

What happens next? 

The process includes: 

• a meeting with you, your child, the school and professionals supporting your child 
• a draft plan for you to review 
• a final plan. 

Once a CSP is in place, it must be reviewed regularly (usually once a year). 

You can ask for a review sooner if your child’s needs change. 

CSP timescales in brief 

• Assessment request: 8 weeks (16 in the summer holidays) 
• CSP issued: within 16 weeks 
• Appeal: within 2 months. 

What if you don’t get a CSP? 

If the local authority refuses a CSP, they must say why and tell you how to challenge their decision. 

You can: 

• discuss it with them or the school 
• appeal to the ASN Tribunal. 

You usually have 2 months to appeal. 

Requesting a school 

You do not need a CSP to ask for a school placement. Read more on our page about Placing requests. 

But if your placing request is refused and your child is in the CSP process, you can appeal to the ASN Tribunal. 

Getting help and support 

You may find it helpful to: 

• connect with other parents or carers 
• contact your local authority’s parent and carer forum 
• search our Autism Services Directory for support in your area 
• the charity Contact can help you find a local support group. 

You can also contact organisations that offer advice and support, such as: 

• Enquire and Govan Law Centre Education Law Unit for legal advice and advocacy services 
• National Parent Forum of Scotland. 

Links, resources and article sources 

National Autistic Society 

• Autism Services Directory: for services and support 
• Branches: offering support, information and social activities for autistic adults, children and their families in their local areas 
• Community: our online community is a place for autistic people and their families to meet like-minded people and share their experiences 

Other advice, information and support 

• Govan Law Centre’s Education Law Unit 
• Enquire advice service 
• Contact your local council in Scotland 
• Resolve a school dispute if your child has additional needs 
• Additional support, Education Scotland 
• My rights, my say 

Article sources 

• Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 
• Additional support for learning: statutory guidance 2017 (also known as the Code of Practice) 
• Additional support for learning, Scottish government 
• Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) 
• Additional Support Needs jurisdiction (the ASN Tribunal) 

This page contains examples of support, and information about specialist organisations, that comes from our direct experience of helping autistic people and their families, in addition to information based on a review of the evidence as described on Our advice and guidance content process page.