Education Support Services - Statutory Support Services

It is recognised that the needs of the majority of West Lothian's children and young people will be met as a result of the delivery of high quality teaching and learning through the Curriculum for Excellence.

For those children and young people who require additional support in order to fulfil their learning potential, a Continuum of Support framework is in place in West Lothian to ensure that their needs are understood and supported effectively.  Education Services Continuum of Support (PDF) [486KB] (opens new window)

As detailed in the 'Presumption to provide education in a mainstream setting' guidance from the Scottish Government, the educational needs of the majority of pupils with additional support needs can be met within a mainstream setting. 

All West Lothian parents are asked to engage in the first instance with their catchment mainstream school. Should additional planning or consideration of special placement be required the school will facilitate a child's planning meeting to support the completion of an Assessment of Wellbeing. 

This meeting will be attended by appropriate professionals (e.g. Educational Psychologist, and/or health professionals) to ensure assessment can be undertaken if the child reaches the threshold for consideration of specialist placement as per the continuum of support. Scottish Government Publication_Guidance_Presumption to Provide Education in a Mainstream Setting (opens new window) 

By adopting a structured framework, the council in conjunction with partnership input will identify and asses the level of support and subsequent specialist placement deemed appropriate.

As part of the child planning process requirements for the child/young person will be reviewed at key points of transition i.e. ELC through to Primary education, Primary through to Secondary provision, Secondary Broad General Education (BGE) through to Secondary Senior Phase and Senior Phase education to post school pursuits. This robust assessment pathway is categorised as follows:  Pathways to Support Specialist Learning_Education Support Services_August 2023 (PDF) [110KB] (opens new window)  

Aim of CAST Sessions:

•           robust and collaborative approach;

• input from senior leaders from Primary Schools and Secondary Schools;

• link Educational Psychologist involvement;

• Education Support Services involvement;

• sharing models of support;

• make informed decisions; and

• strategic planning 

Please Note - Outcome of applications for additional support needs pupil placement will be made within the last week of April each year.

A CSP is an education plan prepared by local authorities for certain children, and young people (school pupils aged 16 - 18 years), who have additional support needs.

The Plan outlines:

• the child's additional support need

• educational objectives that have been set for them to achieve

• the support they need to meet these objectives

A CSP is for those children and young people who have complex needs and require a substantial level of support from other agencies (e.g. Health or Social Policy), to help meet their educational objectives. These children may require a CSP to ensure that their support for learning is co-ordinated across all agencies. Guidance on CSPs is detailed within  Education Services Continuum of Support (PDF) [486KB] (opens new window)

Find out more about home education in West Lothian:

• Improving wellbeing, inclusion and attendance for all children and young people, promoting confidence, independent thinking and resilience. Fundamental to this is working with families and partners to support the highest possible levels of engagement. 
• Ensuring every child and young person experiences varied, vibrant and challenging learning experiences which are built on the provision of exceptional learning, teaching and assessment. Fundamental to this is the design and implementation of a curriculum that creates the conditions, culture and ethos for ALL 4 capacities to thrive and be equally valued.