Policy, Process and Guidance

East Lothian Council is committed to ensuring that all children and young people have the right to be cared for and protected from harm and abuse; they have the right to grow up in a safe environment in which their rights are respected and their needs met. This policy is intended to assist all staff and associated colleagues to adhere to their legislative duties, apply their skills collectively and effectively to develop a shared understanding of their common objective – to support and protect children and young people, particularly those who are most vulnerable. 

An inclusive approach, with an appreciation of diversity and an ambition for all to achieve their full potential is essential to getting it right for every child and raising attainment for all.  The purpose of this document is to outline the ways in which East Lothian Council will meet the needs of children and young people who experience barriers to learning as a result of additional support needs, disability or factors impacting on their wellbeing. 

East Lothian Council believes that inclusion, equality and accessibility are essential components for schools to achieve equity and excellence in education for all our children and young people. This policy details the actions required by all learning establishments, and aspires to ensure the ongoing development of inclusive practices within the local authority.

The Accessibility Strategy is a statutory duty for local authorities, and schools and Early Learning and Childcare settings must take the Strategy into account in any management decisions and improvement planning. The Inclusion, Equality and Accessibility policy includes the authority’s Accessibility Strategy which covers consecutive three year periods.

Good school attendance is the foundation of our ambition for our children and young people to reach their full potential and is fundamental to Getting it Right for Every Child and raising attainment. The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to schools about positive approaches to promoting school attendance, school attendance procedures and alternative attendance arrangements. 

East Lothian Council is determined to create a safe, positive and inclusive environment where respect is shown to and is given by all its children, young people, staff and parents/carers. This is based on a shared approach of agencies working together and responding to the needs of learners early and effectively, in line with the principles of 'Getting it Right for Every Child'. 

All children, young people, staff, parents, carers and partners should feel welcomed and supported within a school which is inclusive and respectful for all. It is important that schools develop a culture of co-operation between teachers, support staff, parents, carers, children and young people, and the wider learning community. East Lothian Council’s aim is to create safe and secure environments where bullying is openly acknowledged, discussed and challenged as unacceptable behaviour, resulting in the reduction of incidents. 

This policy will support school communities to keep learners included, engaged and involved in their education and will improve outcomes for all East Lothian children and young people by; 

• Supporting schools to focus on developing positive relationships and a whole school ethos where children and young people feel included, respected, safe and secure;

• Supporting staff to deploy effective strategies which support pupils who may be exhibiting distressed or challenging behaviour; 

• Clarifying the position for all staff working in schools regarding the use of approved strategies for manging challenging or distressed behaviour. 

Included, Engaged & Involved: Child Planning Framework - Locality Team (CPF-LT) Practice Guidelines (February 2023. Updated September 2024)

The purpose of these guidelines is to support the provision of Child Planning Framework – Locality Teams (CPF-LT) across East Lothian Council by: providing clarity on the roles and responsibilities of members of CPF-LTs; ensuring consistency of practice across CPF-LTs and adhering to our commitment to Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC).

CPF-LTs are an integral part of East Lothian Council’s approach to Getting it Right for Every Child through the Child Planning Framework. They are part of a continuum of support to facilitate multi-agency, solutions orientated discussions around the wellbeing of identified children and young people.

As we work with children, young people, their families and other partners involved in their lives, we generate and gather information fundamental to ensure Getting it Right for Every Child, and raising attainment and achievement. In schools, we have a duty to record and retain relevant information about our children and young people’s wellbeing, attainment, achievement, additional support for learning needs, care experience, child protection and young carer status and needs.

The purpose of this document is to provide schools and early years establishments with guidance in relation to the storage, security and retention of pupil information.

East Lothian Council is supported by our colleagues within NHS Lothian to provide guidance on typical healthcare needs that practitioners will need to support within their schools and Early Learning and Childcare settings. This handbook is supplemented by accompanying appendices for reporting and specific protocols.