Highland parents encouraged to seek additional support for their children

Highland parents are being urged to ‘just ask’ for assistance if their child could benefit from extra help at school.

A nationwide tour will visit Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness on Thursday, 19th November to offer information and advice to mums and dads about the wide range of support available to help their kids benefit from their school education.

Issues such as divorce, bullying and bereavement and learning disabilities can affect young people’s schooling and the Scottish Government is helping raise parent’s awareness of their rights to ask for additional support to overcome these issues.

The 30 stop tour will visit shopping centres in towns and cities across Scotland to offer information and advice on the Additional Support for Learning Act and the types of support children can receive.

An advisor will be on hand to speak to parents and reassure them of any concerns.  They will also be able to offer information on the next steps to take.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, said: “Some children may have additional support needs, short or long term, which require extra support within school, from education support services or partner agencies. This support needs to be based on appropriate assessment.

“It is important parents and carers, children and young people are partners to this assessment and the right support is provided at the right time.

“This campaign reinforces the good practice of the school, authority and partner agencies working together with parents and carers, ensuring children receive the right support to allow them to achieve their potential.”

Parents who can’t make it along to speak to an advisor in person can find out more about services available through Enquire (www.enquire.org.uk).

For more information on the Just Ask campaign visit www.infoscotland.com/justask.