Education advocacy services given government cash
28 Aug 08
Funding for children's additional support needs advocacy
The Scottish Government is to support advocacy services for parents of children with additional support needs (ASN).
The two main voluntary services that support and represent parents in Scotland challenging their child's ASN educational provision are to receive £110,000 over the current financial year to help them with this work.
ISEA (Independent Special Education Advice) Scotland will receive £60,000 to continue providing advocacy support and representation for parents at additional support needs tribunals for Scotland (ASNTS).
Govan Law Centre will be given £50,000 to fund a six-month project to build up the voluntary sector's capacity to support parents at ASNTS.
ISEA Scotland's main grant funder, the Big Lottery Fund, did not renew its grant this year and ministers have intervened to allow the organisation to continue. The funding will run until the end of March 2009.
Children's Minister Adam Ingram said: "The ASN tribunal plays a vital role – listening to the two parties and finding a solution that is in the best interests of the child – and it is crucial that parents continue to get the necessary support."