Short-life Working Group on Co-ordinated Support Plans (CSPs): Final Report

Scottish context for inclusion

Scottish education is based on the belief that education is a human right and that all children and young people should be supported to reach their full potential.

• Children's rights and entitlements are fundamental to Scotland's approach to inclusive education. The legislative framework and key policy drivers support this and will be further strengthened through the Scottish Government's commitment to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into law to the maximum extent possible within the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
• Scotland's education system is designed to be inclusive for all children and young people in Scottish schools, including those who require additional support. The four key features of inclusion highlighted below are the cornerstone of the child centred approach to Scottish education^[1].

• The Education (Additional Support for Learning) Scotland Act 2004 (as amended) (the 2004 Act) provides the legal framework for supporting children and young people with additional support needs.
• The 2004 Act supports Scotland's 'needs led' system which is designed to place the child and young person at the centre. Support is not dependant on a diagnosis. The 2004 Act also provides that a child or young person who is looked after^[2] is assumed to have additional support needs unless they are assessed otherwise.^[3]
• Following the Independent Care Review, which was completed in 2019, The Promise provides the vision to support the change needed to make sure that all children in Scotland grow up loved, safe and respected. Plan 21-24 has five priority areas and key milestones: The right to a childhood; Whole family support; Supporting the workforce; Planning; Building capacity.