Here are a few questions that I have been asked in my capacity as a teacher. Please get in touch if there is anything you would like to know. I cannot promise to have all the answers but I can find someone who does! Equally, if there is anything which is incorrect or needs updating, please inform me.
“What is a child-planning meeting?”
A child-planning meeting is the term for meetings held for a child with Additional Support Needs in Scotland. It is centred around the Child’s Plan which is part of the GIRFEC (Getting it Right for Every Child) approach. This is a coordinated approach between professionals working with parents and the Named Person to support and promote the well-being of the child.
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/gettingitright/childs-plan
“Do you know any nurseries that are good for children with autism?”
All education authorities in Scotland have a legal obligation to provide an education for a child with an Additional Support Need (ASL Act, 2004), so there are no nurseries or schools which are ‘better’ at working with children with autism unless they have enhanced provision. These are units attached to schools with specialist teachers and smaller class sizes.
No child with ASN will be turned away from a mainstream nursery unless this is not deemed to be in the interests of the child and the school. However, as a teacher, the large percentage of children with ASN in mainstream schools and lack of specialist support is becoming more and more challenging. As a parent, inclusion of children with ASN relies on a strong partnership between parents and school or nursery. It is important to be able to self-advocate or have access to mediation.
“What is an IEP?”
This stands for Individualised Educational Programme in Scotland and is used to plan and monitor progress of a child with Additional Support Needs. It is important to know that this is not a legal document nor is the Local Authority duty bound to provide your child with one. The best information I have found about this is on the National Autistic Society’s website, so thank you to them for setting this out so clearly.
https://www.autism.org.uk/about/in-education/extra-help-in-school/scotland/individual-plans.aspx
Trudy 