Additional Support needs (ASN)
Find Out how we support children with Additional Support Needs
We understand some children and young people require some additional support with their learning in nurseries and schools.
The Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 is designed to ensure that all children and young have more control to access support and services of their choosing.
In order to identify the support your child requires our Supporting People Framework offers a clear path to access help.
The Supporting People framework is used for all of our social care assessments for both children and adults. It has been drawn up using research and evidence-based practice, and informs how we can support you in a way that is clear and fair. Find out more in our step-by-step guide, from when you make contact to reviewing your plan
The framework does not replace universal services, ie Health, Education. Instead, it is the route by which parents can access services for their children with additional support needs, over and above those for which they normally provide in their day to day role and responsibilities as parents or carers.
Before accessing support through the Supporting People Framework, you will have exhausted community based resources and support. If your child requires additional support, in addition to community resources, an assessment will be required to determine if your son/daughter meets the criteria.
Parents and carers can also contact our children' services Request for Assistance team on 0141 577 8300.
(INSERT image of an assessment cycle- headed The Process of assessment)
Assessment of your son/daughter's needs is central to accessing the right support. We do this by starting with identifying exactly what your child's levels of need are and understanding and assessing any risks to the child and or family. From this, together we develop an outcomes focussed child's Plan
| Stage | Action |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Gather information (including from partner agencies e.g Education) |
| Stage 2 | Social Work Analyse information - e.g how does your son/daughter manage in a variety of environments, and/or any risks associated |
| Stage 3 | Family and Social Worker agree outcomes - develop your child's Plan |
| Stage 4 | Multi agency discussion takes place at the consultation group and agree a plan |
| Stage 5 | Once agreed, the plan is reviewed annually |
The Supporting People Framework has been developed to ensure that limited Social Work resources are delivered to those most in need. The ethos of the Framework is not to replace your parental rights and responsibilities - rather, it aims to enhance the existing support that your chid already receives from you, your family and wider community.
There are four categories within the Framework:
Low
Indicates that there may be some quality of life issues, but low risks to an individual's independent living or health and wellbeing with very limited, if any, requirement for the provision of social care services. There may be some need for alternative support or advice and appropriate arrangements for review over the foreseeable future or longer term. Using the My Life Assessment, this will be rated as a 1 or 2. Both indicate low risk but allow for application of professional discretion regarding upper and lower levels.
Moderate
Indicates that there are some risks to an individual's independent living or health and wellbeing. These may call for the provision of some social care services managed and prioritised on an ongoing basis or they may simply be manageable over the foreseeable future without service provision, with appropriate arrangements for review. Using the My Life Assessment, this will be rated as a 3 or 4. Both indicate moderate risk but allow for application of professional discretion regarding upper and lower levels.
Low/Moderate
These categories simply mean that your child does not currently meet the criteria to access supports and services. The nature of the Supporting People Framework recognises that over time and throughout their life, your child may move between categories, Eg from moderate/low needs, to substantial/critical needs. Eg children and young people with a confirmation of neuro diverse needs, who are not attending school. Education resources are available to support your child's access to education.
Substantial
Indicates that there are significant risks to an individual's independent living or health and wellbeing likely to call for the immediate or imminent provision of social care services (high priority). Using the My Life Assessment, this will be rated as a 5 or 6. Both indicate substantial risk but allow for application of professional discretion regarding upper and lower levels.
Critical
Indicates that there are major risks to an individual's independent living or health and well-being likely to call for the immediate or imminent provision of social care services (high priority). Using the My Life Assessment, this will be rated as a 7 or 8. Both indicate critical risk but allow for application of professional discretion regarding upper and lower levels.
Substantial/Critical
These categories apply to childen who's needs include the following:
► life limiting conditions
► at risk of being Looked After away from home
► require 2-1 support because of the risk to themselves or others
► are unable to manage their own personal and social care needs
► significant mobility needs and who are unable to independently access local community resources
Only those children who are assessed as having either substantial or critical needs, will be able to access supports and services.
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We recognise the many benefits to a child's emotional and physical well being of being able to access activities in their community. However, the majority of children would not meet the criteria of substantial or critical needs. As highlighted above, the Supporting People Framework is fluid and does not mean your child cannot access supports in the future, e.g younger children with social/communication needs.
