The Scottish Government and all services for children, including schools and education authorities, should take cognisance of the main findings of this report. They should build on the key strengths as outlined in each section in order to address the areas for improvement. They should consider the following key points when taking action to improve services.
1. Develop additional guidance which defines more clearly the meaning of the term ‘significant’ in relation to additional support needs.
2. Establish clear transition pathways from children’s to adult services for all individuals at risk of missing out on the opportunities available for education and training and ensure effective through care and after care arrangements.
3. Give particular regard to the legal duty that local authorities have as corporate parents to looked after and accommodated children and consider provision of independent advocacy services for them.
4. Improve the quality and extent of local authorities’ communication with young people and their parents, and engage young people and parents more fully in decisions which affect any future support, including communicating about services for resolving disagreements.
5. Evaluate the impact of the actions which local authorities take to support children and young people with additional support needs, including action when disputes arise, as an integral part of quality improvement processes in authorities.
6. As intended by the legislation and embodied in good practice, plan support services more clearly around the individuals whose needs are being addressed.
7. Improve opportunities for joint training of education practitioners and professional colleagues working in social services and other partner agencies.