Additional support needs provision

Request data on children with additional support needs and the support they receive.

The number of children recorded as having additional support needs (ASN) in Scotland has risen sharply. Local data can tell you whether support is keeping pace with demand.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of children with an identified additional support need, broken down by type of need (e.g. social and emotional, learning disability, physical disability, autism spectrum). 2. The number of children with a coordinated support plan (CSP) in place. 3. The number of requests for a CSP that were refused during the period. 4. The number of children waiting for an educational psychology assessment as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
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Who to send it to#

Your local council’s education department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

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Tips#

  • The Scottish Government publishes annual statistics on pupils with ASN, but local breakdowns and waiting time data are often not included. This request fills the gap.
  • Coordinated support plans are a legal entitlement for children who meet certain criteria. A high refusal rate may indicate the threshold is being applied too strictly.
  • If the council says this would exceed the cost limit, focus on items 2 and 4, which tell you the most about how the system is working.