Parents, Carers & Families

Useful Information

The Useful Links section of the website contains links to Aberdeen City, 3rd Sector, and National groups - each of their sites contain a wealth of information for parents, carers and families.  This includes Enquire, Govan Law Centre, SACRO ASN Mediation, and the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance Ltd.

There's a lot of information out there and we recognise this can be daunting.  If you are still not sure where to find what you are looking for, please contact your child's school or the ASN & Outreach Service so we can do our best to advise and direct.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an additional support need (or ASN)?

A: In Scotland, this is defined in law.  Enquire have a helpful Key Facts Leaflet that explains what an additional support need is and what this might mean for learning in school.

Q: I think my child has an additional support need.  What do I do?

A: Contact your child's school in the first instance and ask to speak with a member of staff who knows your child well i.e. Class Teacher, Guidance Teacher, Year Head.  Make some notes before you call so you have all the information you need to hand: Enquire have a helpful guide, "Talking to Your Child's School", which will help you gather information.  Although this is about Dyslexia, the prompts can apply to many different circumstances.  This will help discussion with the school so next steps can be identified.

Q: I am worried my voice is not being heard.  What can I do?

A: If possible, be open and honest with your key contact(s) to see if further discussion can take place.  Similarly, ask to speak with the school's Head Teacher or a member of the Senior Leadership Team.  If you are still not satisfied with the response, you have a number of options:

1. Contact the school's Quality Improvement Officer (QIO) for advice and guidance;

2. Contact a 3rd party organisation, such as Enquire Scotland, for advice and guidance;

3. Consider mediation, which can be provided by SACRO - this means an independent, trained, 3rd party will support negotiation between you and the school;

4. Consider appointing an advocate who can speak (represent views) on your behalf; and/or

5. Make a complaint using Aberdeen City Council's agreed process.

Jargon Buster

Like any industry, professionals might use technical language as a force of habit without being aware of it.  If you are unsure, please just ask.  Here are some common terms/acronyms used in education (click the links to find out more):

ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ASC - Autistic Spectrum Condition (also referred to as ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder)

ASL - Additional Support for Learning

ASN - Additional Support Need

BSL - British Sign Language

CfE - Curriculum for Excellence

CSP - Coordinated Support Plan

DHT - Depute Head Teacher

EAL - English as an Additional Language

ELC - Early Learning and Childcare (formally referred to as Nursery and sometimes (ante) pre-school)

GIRFEC - Getting It Right For Every Child

IEP - Individualised Education Programme

MAM - Multi Agency Meeting (sometimes called MAAPM - Multi Agency Action Planning Meeting)

PTG - Principal Teacher of Guidance (secondary schools only, same as a PTPS)

PTPS - Principal Teacher of Pupil Support (secondary schools only, same as a PTG)

QIM - Quality Improvement Manager

QIO - Quality Improvement Officer

SaLT - Speech and Language Therapy

SDS - Skills Development Scotland (Scotland's Careers Service) OR Self Directed Support

SfL - Support for Learning

SHANARRI - The Wellbeing Indicators (also see GIRFEC): Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Responsible, Respectful, Included