Additional support for learning in Scotland: ASN, CSPs and your child's rights

Information only, not medical advice. Every child with PURA syndrome is different. Please talk to your child's own doctors and therapists before making decisions about their care. In an emergency call 999; for urgent advice call NHS 111. Our disclaimer.

How support works in Scotland

In Scotland, the law is the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. It says councils must find out which children need extra help to learn, plan for it and provide it. Children who need that help are said to have additional support needs (ASN). Most children with PURA syndrome will, because of their communication, movement and learning needs.

Here's the reassuring bit: your child has a right to the support they need at nursery or school with or without a formal plan (Enquire). Most support is planned by the school or nursery itself, and councils use different names for those plans.

The detail sits in the statutory guidance, the Supporting Children’s Learning Code of Practice. The Scottish Government consulted on a refreshed fourth edition in 2026, so check gov.scot for the version in force.

What a co-ordinated support plan (CSP) is

A CSP is the only legal education support plan in Scotland. The council must provide the support written in it, and review it at least every 12 months. It's used when several services need to work together, for example school plus speech and language therapy, physiotherapy or social work (Enquire).

If you disagree with what's in a CSP, or with how it's delivered, you can take it to an independent tribunal. That's the main extra protection a CSP gives you.

Who can get a CSP

Your child may be able to get a CSP if all of these apply (section 2 of the Act, Enquire):

1. The council is responsible for their education. 2. Their needs come from complex or multiple factors. 3. Those needs are likely to last more than a year. 4. They need significant additional support from education and from at least one other service, such as the NHS or social work.

Many children with PURA syndrome get regular help from NHS therapists as well as school, so it's often worth asking. The council decides case by case, looking at how often, how much and how intensive the support is. If your child doesn't qualify, the council still has to plan and provide the support they need.

How to ask for a CSP

Write to your council's education department (an email counts) and say clearly that you're formally asking them to assess whether your child needs a CSP. Enquire suggests including your details, your child's name, date of birth and school or nursery, how you'd like to be contacted, and the reasons you think a CSP is needed (Enquire).

The reasons matter most. Describe your child's needs and how they affect learning, the support they already get from school and from the NHS or social work, and the names of the professionals involved. Real examples help.

Young people aged 12 or over who can understand the process can make the request themselves. My Rights, My Say supports 12 to 15 year olds with this.

Timescales

The council has 8 weeks to tell you whether it will assess your child for a CSP (16 weeks if you ask during the summer holidays). If it agrees, it then has another 16 weeks to assess and produce the plan. You can ask for a particular kind of assessment, such as psychological, medical or educational (Enquire).

If you disagree

If the council refuses to assess, or decides your child doesn't need a CSP, it must write and explain why and tell you about your right to appeal. No decision after 8 weeks counts as a refusal too. You usually have two months from the decision to make a reference to the Additional Support Needs Tribunal, part of the Health and Education Chamber (Enquire).

Let's Talk ASN is a free advocacy and legal support service that can help you take a case to the tribunal (0141 445 1955). Enquire can also explain the other, less formal ways to sort out a disagreement.

Free, independent help

Enquire is Scotland's advice service for additional support for learning, with a helpline on 0345 123 2303. My Rights, My Say helps children aged 12 to 15 use their own rights. Contact can help with everything around school too, including benefits.

Living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland? The system is different: use the chooser at the top of this page.

Questions families ask

Can my child have a CSP at nursery?

Your child's right to additional support starts before school, and the CSP rules talk about education the council is responsible for. Whether that covers your child's nursery place depends on how it's provided, so ask your council or the Enquire helpline.

Does a CSP replace my child's other plans?

No. Schools and nurseries still plan day-to-day support. A CSP sits on top to co-ordinate support from education and other services, and it's the only one that's legally binding.

Is a CSP the same as an EHCP?

No. EHC plans are for England. They cover education, health and care, and many more children have one. A CSP is Scotland's legal plan and has stricter criteria.

Sources

Checked 1 Nov 2026. Rules, rates and services change, so always check the latest version.

Print the checklist

Take our one-page “what to ask” list to the appointment: EHCP and school or nursery meetings.

This article is part of our guide to Charities & family support. See all family support listings →