Parents, young people and children will often be unfamiliar with the tribunal process and may want someone to represent them before and at the hearing. This could be a family member, friend, someone from a representative organisation or someone with a legal qualification. If a party decides to have a representative this should be confirmed in writing and under the Tribunal Rules all communications from the ASN Tribunal will only be sent to that named representative.
Either party can choose to have a representative or change a representative at any point prior to the hearing but it is important that the party informs the Operations Team Leader in writing without delay, where this happens.
Let’s Talk ASN Scotland is a free service for the parents of children with additional support needs who may require support in relation to a dispute or potential dispute with an education authority. The service also covers young people (aged 16 or 17 years) with additional support needs themselves. Let’s Talk ASN Scotland is a joint initiative of Govan Law Centre and Barnardo's. It is funded by the Scottish Government.
The service can be used by anyone who has the right to make a reference to the ASN jurisdiction. The Let’s Talk ASN Scotland service offers specialist independent advocacy throughout the process, and all cases are supervised by an experienced education law solicitor.
To contact the service, or to find out more:
Let’s Talk ASN Scotland, c/o Govan Law Centre, 18-20 Orkney Street, Glasgow, G51 2BZ
0141 445 1955
My Rights, My Say is a free support service for children aged between 12 and 15 years.
They provide:
• advice and information about a child’s rights
• advocacy to support a child to have their voice heard when talking to their school
• independent support to make sure the child’s views are heard in formal process (such as assessments)
• support to enhance professional practice in listening to children’s views
• legal representations to support a child making a reference to the Additional Support Needs Tribunal.
My Rights, My Say is a partnership between Enquire, Children in Scotland, Cairn Legal and Partners in Advocacy.
To contact the service, or to find out more:
0345 123 2303
When pupils feel listened to, respected and included in school life, they’re more likely to do well at school. That’s why we are fortunate that in Scotland all pupils have the right to have their say about what they need to get the most out of their education. And since January 2018, pupils aged 12-15 can now be even more involved, having a direct say in decisions about their support.
Reach, an online resource which helps pupils understand their rights to be supported, included, listened to and involved in decisions at school, has created 3 new animations to help pupils feel more confident about speaking up. They are called:
• It’s not easy to talk
• Help to make your voice heard at school
• Your rights, your say
The films also signpost pupils to ‘My Rights, My Say’, a service which can help children aged 12-15 share their views about the support they need and have a say when decisions about their learning and support are made.
Zain, a pupil involved in making the films, believes that “the messages [in the films] for young people are really important if they are struggling, so they know that help is available.”
To view the films visit Reach at www.reach.scot
