Section 1 Foreword

Aberdeenshire Council has a firm commitment to meet the needs of all children and young people, including those who are vulnerable and have additional support needs. This Manual, including the successful support stories, will make an important contribution to assist all practitioners and managers to work together effectively in line with GIRFEC principles to meet additional support needs. This Manual has been written within the context of The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act, 2004 and the 2009 Act, as well as the agenda for Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) (Scottish Government 2009) – The presumption is that children and young people will be placed in a mainstream school unless their needs cannot be fully met. Irrespective of placement, they will be supported and met through effective joint working. The Manual also illustrates best practice and provision and practicalises the principles and philosophy of GIRFEC. In addition, since a key aim of Education and Learning is to assist schools and their partners to self-evaluate their own practice as well as joint practice,this manual provides Prompts for Reflection and makes reference to a range of relevant materials which can further support schools and partners to evaluate the degree to which they are meeting the support needs of children and young people. Staff in Education and Learning and their partners in Health,Colleges and other agencies are urged to read and use this Manual so that in partnership,all children and young people can be supported very effectively. back to top