Additional Support Needs Mediation

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of Additional Support Needs mediation in Scotland. Under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, or ASL Act, local authorities are mandated to provide access to independent mediation for disputes with parents and careers of children and young people with ‘additional support needs’ (ASN) when and if they arise. Other mechanisms are available for parents of children with ASN who are in disagreement with the school or education authority, including independent external adjudication, education authority appeal committees, and the ASN tribunal. There has been some confusion among both parents and educationalists about which method of dispute resolution is most suitable for different issues. The chapter first charts the history of ASN mediation in Scotland before explaining what additional support needs are by presenting two case studies. It then considers the ASN mediation process, along with issues suitable for ASN mediation, and the importance of involving the child or young person in mediation. It also describes the status of ASN mediation in Scotland in 2008 and how to contact an ASN mediator.