the Act recognises that Education Authorities may need to enlist the support of other agencies such as Speech and Language Therapy, Social Services, Health, to meet the additional support needs of a child. When there are a number of people involved there may be large meetings which parents and children are invited to attend.

The following People can help your child in school and you are likely to encounter some of them quite often:

Buddy – an older pupil who helps you at school and is there if they need to talk to someone.

Teachers / Support for Learning Assistants – people you’ll meet a lot! If they notice something’s wrong they may ask to talk to you. You can talk to your class or subject teacher about any problem or worry. Even if they are very busy it’s their job to try to help.

Careers advisor – helps you think about what you will do when you leave school. A careers advisor will be able to tell you what choices there are and can help you find out more about each one.

Speech and language therapist – helps you if you have difficulties with speaking or understanding what other people are saying.

Educational psychologist – helps to decide what you need to help you learn and may be involved in deciding if you need extra support at school and whether they need a co-ordinated support plan.

Welfare officer – can work with you and the school if things are not going as well as they could. For example, if skipping school is a issue, an education welfare officer may talk with you to find out why and help you sort this out.

School nurse or doctor – carries out medical checks on all pupils and gives extra medical and health support if they need it.

Advocacy worker – someone who helps you get your point of view across. You might find it helpful to have an advocacy worker for going to meetings about your education. They can help you work out what you want to say, and speak for you if you want.

Befriender – someone who is there to spend time with you doing things you like. A befriender is someone your own age or a bit older who goes with you to the cinema, or shopping or anything else you like to do.

Counsellor – you can talk to a counsellor if something has really upset you, or you are unhappy or finding it hard to cope with life. They help you to understand your feelings and find ways to cope. A counsellor may work at your local school.

Mediator – someone who helps with difficult conversations or disagreements by getting both sides together and making sure they both listen to each other. A mediator does not take sides. Some schools have peer mediators – pupils in the school who are
mediators. They can deal with issues like bullying.

Social worker – can help you with lots of different things, eg difficulties at home or controlling your child's behaviour. If you have a social worker, they are likely to be involved in deciding what kind of help you need at school. A social worker might work at your school.

Inclusion / Family Support Worker – there are lots of types of support workers. They can help you with day-to-day things like managing money, going shopping or getting ready for school in the mornings. They can help you in your house or you might meet them at respite breaks.

Tribunal staff – sometimes you or your child may go to a tribunal about a co-ordinated support plan. You can get more info about this from the website at www.asntscotland.gov.uk. Tribunal staff can talk to you about what you can go to a tribunal about and can help you fill out the right forms.

Youth workers – work in lots of different places. They often organise fun stuff to do, but they can also support your child if you are having problems. You can also find a youth café, service or club in your area.