New briefing: from vision to delivery – reforming Scotland’s additional support for learning system

Date: 7th September 2026
Category: Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

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Children in Scotland has published a new briefing calling for changes to Scotland’s additional support for learning (ASL) system to improve outcomes for children and young people with additional support needs.

Around 40% of learners in Scotland are now considered to have some form of additional support need. However, Children in Scotland says there is a gap between policy and what happens in practice, meaning some children are not getting the support they need and face barriers to their right to education. The briefing highlights concerns including inconsistent support across local authorities, pressure on schools, limited training for education staff and long waits for assessment. It also warns that children can face pressure to get a diagnosis to access support, even though the law does not require a diagnosis.

Drawing on the experiences of children and young people, Children in Scotland is calling for a stronger focus on individual needs and early support. Its recommendations include improving early identification and intervention, better training for education staff, reviewing support planning and decision-making, and developing a national system to measure whether children’s needs are being met.

Read the new briefing from Children in Scotland