Support for parents

Additional Support for Learning Awareness Campaign Launched for Parents

A campaign to raise parents' awareness of Additional Support for Learning has been launched by the Scottish Government.

The Just Ask campaign seeks to highlight the wide range of issues ASL can provide help for and encourage parents to approach their child’s school or local authority for more information.

Additional support for learning can be provided for pupils affected by issues as diverse as divorce, bereavement, caring for family members, dyslexia, medical problems and learning disabilities.

Many parents are unaware of the breadth of help available, particularly when a child is facing a tough time out with school, and how to access it on behalf of their children. 

Infomercials exploring a range of issues and the help available have been developed and are being shown at teatime on STV.  The daily magazine show, The Hour, is also supporting the campaign with a series of features on young people who have benefited from ASL help.

A website - www.infoscotland.com/justask - has also been developed for parents and advisers from Enquire, the national advice line on additional support issues.  Information packs are also being distributed to organisations which have contact with parents such as parent councils, GP surgeries, Citizens Advice Scotland Bureaus and leisure centres.

Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years, said: “There are many reasons why young people might struggle with their learning – from conditions such as dyslexia and autism through to circumstances often beyond a child’s control, including bereavement and divorce. Thankfully, there is a wide range of support that schools, councils and charities provide – just at the point that a child or young person may need it.

“Sometimes children are not able to ask for help themselves. That’s why the Just Ask campaign is encouraging parents to stop and think about what issues might be affecting their child’s learning and the key role that they, as parents, have in helping their child to get the extra help they need.

“All children deserve the opportunity to learn and develop and to receive additional support when they need it. This campaign will build awareness of the support available to make sure this happens.”

The Just Ask campaign will run from November until March 2010.

For more information on the Just Ask campaign visit www.infoscotland.com/justask.  Parents can find out about the services available through the advice service Enquire (www.enquire.org.uk).