Additional Support Needs pupils on the rise, as charity calls for Scottish Government action

More and more kids are being identified as having additional support needs - but a charity claims they aren't getting the help they need.

In Aberdeen City and Shire more than 21,000 children now fall into that category, but there's actually been a drop in the number of co-ordinated support plans.

CSPs are a legal document that outlines a child's complex needs.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition commented: “It is clearly of some concern that we are experiencing a decline in the use of CSPs, which is to support those with the most complex needs.

"This is despite an increase in the numbers of those requiring such support.

“The disparity in those with a CSP between those in the least and most deprived areas is also worrying, as if we are to close the educational gap, it is key that we target the resourcing to achieve those on those in the most deprived communities.

“We are also concerned about the disparities that exist between local authorities on such support, which clearly raises concerns about how such a policy is being implemented and a lack of standardisation of who is identified as having ASN and who get a CSP.

“It is vital that the Scottish Government urgently undertake a review of how CSPs are being implemented by local authorities."