Policy and practice

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act (2004) sets out the legal framework for identifying, supporting and reviewing the additional support needs of children and young people.

Realising the Ambition: Being Me is grounded in research on how young children grow and learn. This guidance promotes an inclusive, strengths based approach across early years practice.

Section 3: What I need to grow and develop explores practices that are: 

• relational
• developmentally appropriate
• attachment-based
• trauma-informed 

These support every child to feel secure, valued and ready to learn.

Getting It Right For Every Child is Scotland’s national approach to promoting, supporting and safeguarding the wellbeing of children and young people.

Professional Learning

The Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities Professional Learning Framework strengthens both universal and targeted approaches to supporting all children and young people. It provides professional learning across four interconnected themes: 

• inclusion
• rights and equalities
• relationships
• wellbeing and care

Autism and inclusive practice contains materials to support group learning and reflection based on the Introduction to Autism and Inclusive Practice module. 

These materials can be used flexibly to help teams explore and deepen their understanding together.

Working Together - Equality and Equity Modules – Children in Scotland was developed with parents and education professionals. These modules support practitioners to:

• understand families’ perspectives
• develop positive and collaborative relationships

They include:

• practical tips
• reflective questions
• signposts to further support

Resources

How can we create a Language and Communication Supportive Environment in Early Learning and Childcare settings? is a practical guide. 

It explores communication and language development for babies and young children in the places where they play and learn. It looks at how this is nurtured through:

• interactions
• experiences
• spaces

Early Speech, Language and Communication Development: Which Factors are Associated with Better or Poorer Outcomes? outlines early factors linked to stronger or weaker speech, language and communication outcomes.

It highlights opportunities for prevention and early support within Scotland’s policy landscape.

The Autism Toolbox explores:

• common challenges autistic children and young people may experience
• case studies from Scottish settings

The toolbox offers ELC specific guidance.

The Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities Wakelet is a curated collection of links to online materials that can support inclusive practice and promote children’s wellbeing.