Enquire parents’ leaflet
The smallest type in this leaflet is 18 point.
Do you think your child might need extra help with
learning?
Don’t just think it, Ask Enquire
Enquire: the Scottish advice service for additional
support for learning
Getting help
As parents and carers you want your child to get the most
from their learning. If you think your child might need
extra support but don’t know how to make this happen,
or you don’t think the support your child is receiving is
quite right, Enquire is here for you.
What we do
Enquire is the Scottish advice service for additional
support for learning. We offer independent and
confidential advice and information through our website,
by email or by telephone. We help parents and carers
understand their child’s rights to extra help at school.
What you can expect from us
Enquire advisers have the time to:
 listen to your questions and concerns
 explain your child’s rights to extra support
in school
 advise you on the way forward.
Additional support for learning isn’t just a good
idea, it’s the law
All children get support to learn and develop in school.
However, some children need more help than others.
The Additional Support for Learning Act sets out the duties
on education authorities to support children and young
people; providing the framework to identify and meet
their learning needs.
How to get in touch
Phone us on 0345 123 2303
Email us at info@enquire.org.uk
Visit our website www.enquire.org.uk
If you are looking for local information about education or
support to access education services, visit Enquire’s map
of services at www.enquire.org.uk/find-a-service
Helpline opening hours
Monday to Friday 10am – 4.30pm
What does ‘additional support for learning’ mean?
There are many reasons why a child might need extra
support in school.
These include:
 having a learning difficulty or disability (such as
Autism or Dyslexia)
 finding it difficult to control their behaviour
 making themselves understood
 having a mental health problem
 being bullied
 caring for someone at home
 being particularly able
 changing schools a lot
 being a young parent
 having a difficult family situation
 being looked after or in care
 having a family member in prison.
Some children and young people need a lot of support.
Others only need a small amount for a short time.
Support can be provided in many ways.
A child does not need a formal diagnosis to be entitled to
support but it can be helpful to meet their learning needs.
What your rights include
As a parent or carer you have certain rights under the law.
These include:
 the right to ask your education authority to find out
if your child has additional support needs
 the right to information and advice about your child’s
additional support needs
 the right to have a supporter or advocate with you at
any meeting with the school or education authority.
The law puts responsibilities on education authorities
to make sure your child’s needs are met.
If your child is 16 years old or over, they have the same
rights listed here as you.
Parents should always be involved in the planning
of their child’s additional support for learning.
What parents have said about Enquire
“I was happy with the advice I was given and it made me
feel empowered at my son’s school meeting.”
“As a parent you can feel isolated, as it appears that all
the professionals dealing with your child know more than
you. Contacting Enquire allowed me to access information
about my child’s rights and what help and support should
be available to him.”
How can Enquire help?
Enquire can answer any question about additional support
for learning. For example, if you:
 think your child is struggling in pre-school
or school and might need extra help
 want to find out how to ask for an assessment
 are worried about the level of support your child
is receiving
 want to place your child at another school but are
not sure how to do this
 want to know more about learning plans
 would like to query your child’s exclusion from school
 have questions about your child changing school
 want advice on resolving a dispute between yourself
and the school or local authority
 want to know more about how schools may support
children with additional support needs.
Contact Enquire - we can advise you on your next steps
“I called several times and found the advice I received
invaluable in resolving a complex problem.”
Enquire publications
We have guides and factsheets for parents and carers
including:
The parents’ guide to additional support for learning
Factsheets which look in more detail at a range of topics
relating to additional support for learning.
We also provide information and advice to children and
young people including:
 guides for children and young people
 website – www.enquire.org.uk/yp
 blog – www.enquire.org.uk/youngpeople/wordpress
Enquire is managed by Children in Scotland
and funded by the Scottish Government
Enquire, April 2015