ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS TRIBUNAL FOR SCOTLAND

Providing independent and expert ruling in a user friendly way

 

Welcome to the Additional Support Needs Tribunals for Scotland

As of 14 November 2005, the Scottish Government brought into effect some important changes to the law affecting children and young people’s education in Scotland. These changes help children and young people who require additional support to benefit from education.

One of these changes was the establishment of our Tribunal service which hears cases brought by parents and young people concerning provision made for children and young people facing the biggest barriers to learning. These children have their needs identified in a co-ordinated support plan.

The law has changed as a result of new legislation called the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2004. This Act made provision for the establishment of new Additional Support Needs Tribunals for Scotland.

 

Latest News and Events

**Revised ASNTS Guide now available**

 
When the Additional Support Needs Tribunals for Scotland were first established, three guides were produced to provide information relevant to specific groups who would potentially be involved in making a reference to the Tribunals; parents, Education Authorities and young people. With 3 years operational experience, ASNTS has undertaken to simplify and rationalise the literature into one guide for all users. The new revised Additional Support Needs Tribunals for Scotland Guide can now be accessed by Link opens in new windowclicking here.
 
I hope that you find the new guide useful in giving an overview of what is involved in the Tribunals and the matters that can be dealt with.

It is our aim to update this guide as the process develops. You will be aware that the Scottish Parliament is considering a Bill to amend The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. We will amend the guidance in the light of any changes which are introduced by this Bill.

In keeping with our sustainability policy, no hard copies of this guide will be issued but if you require a copy of the guide in a printed format please call our helpline on 0845 120 2906 or send a request to inquiries@asntscotland.gov.uk

**Report from 10th November 2008 Tribunal User Group (TUG)**

 
A report summarising the recent Tribunal User Group (TUG) event held in Perth on 10th November 2008 can now be accessed Link opens in new windowhere.
 

**New Revised Reference Form**

 
Towards the end of last year (2007), the Secretariat consulted with a number of our stakeholders about changes to our Reference Form. Having regard to the responses which we recevied, the reference form has been re-designed and is now available for use.
 
There are now two ways in which you can submit a reference:
  • This form can be printed, completed by hand and posted to our office. To access the reference form,  click here.
  • Alternatively, the reference form can now be completed online and sent directly to our inbox, inquiries@asntscotland.gov.uk. At the moment it is necessary to save the form when you have completed it and then email it from your own email address. We hope to have a direct email link in the near future. The law requires that the form is signed so it will be necessary for anyone making a reference to print off and sign section 6 of the form and then post that section to the office within 10 working days. To access this version of the reference form,  Link opens in new windowclick here. 
 
If you are unable to complete the form online or do not have access to a printer, we can still issue printed copies of the reference form as before. Anyone requiring a printed copy should call our helpline on 0845 120 2906.
 
 

**THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS TRIBUNALS FOR SCOTLAND 2007/2008 NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD**

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 places a duty on the President to prepare a report, to be submitted to the Scottish Ministers, each year on the work of the Tribunals during the preceding year from 1 April to 31 March. The President has now submitted her report for 2007/2008 to the Scottish Ministers.

This report covers the second full operational year for the Tribunals and it will be of interest to all Tribunal users and those involved with children and young people with additional support needs.

You can download a PDF copy of the report be clicking on this  Link opens in new windowlink.

 

Tribunal administration contact details available. 

Member and convener details available.