Scottish Context

Scottish Education

Scotland’s education system is an inclusive one and designed to make sure that every child, young person and their families are provided with the right support at the right time to enable them to gain as much as possible from the opportunities which Curriculum for Excellence can provide. 

As we consider the educational provision for autistic children and young people in Scotland, it is important to acknowledge and consider the national agenda, legislative and guidance context that local authorities, educational practitioners and health care professionals work within.   

This image provides you with an overview of the Scottish education and equality context in mainstream education services in Scotland:

This will be explored in greater depth later on in this section of the Toolbox.  

Children’s rights and entitlements are fundamental to Scotland’s approach to inclusive education.  It is supported by the legislative framework and key policy drivers including, Curriculum for Excellence and the Framework for Professional Standards for teachers. Within the Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) framework there is an expectation that partnership working to ensure that children receive the right support at the right time.  This includes families, education, social work, health and third sector partners.  Services need to work together in a coordinated way to meet the specific needs and improve the wellbeing of children and young people.   

Further Professional Development

Select here to access the Professional Reflection and Planning Tool on this section – ‘Scottish Context and Inclusion Professional Reflection and Planning Tool’.  

Select here to access the National Framework for Inclusion (NFI) which provides guidance for teachers on inclusion and inclusive practice.  The NIF consists of a series of reflective questions linked to the Professional Standards for Scotland’s teachers.  Working together, the Professional Standards and NFI provide a structure for teachers to reflect upon the national vision of social justice and inclusion. 

Select here to access the free Education Scotland online module ‘Introduction to Autism and Inclusive Practice’. 

A free Education Scotland Professional Learning Activity ‘Introduction to Autism and Supporting Learners’ can be found here