Knowledge Base
Homeschooling and flexi-schooling
Both North and South Lanarkshire have information on their website about home schooling. If you decide to home school your child this becomes their registered school and they are removed from the roll of the school they previously attended. This means that you cannot formally choose to home school your child while waiting on the outcome of a placing request
Education
The Scottish Government’s policy is a presumption of mainstream which is what the local authorities also strive to follow. Unfortunately, this means that many children will not receive a place at a supported school and there is generally significant demand for spaces (in 2025 there were c1,000 applications for 200 places in North Lanarkshire). By law, education authorities must identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their
Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris can be a very exciting holiday for children, but is busy and noisy with a lot to see and do which can be overwhelming for children with additional support needs. The location means there are a number of options to get there, either a short flight or a drive and ferry for those who would rather not fly. This section gives
Holiday suggestions
The list below are venues other parents have suggested as meeting the needs of their families. All children are different; some love discos and noise, others prefer quiet, so we cannot guarantee that every venue will be right for you, but it may be somewhere to look for a break that you haven’t considered.
Swimwear, including swim nappies, and swimming pool suggestions
The brands below have been recommended by parents, many of whom have been looking for incontinence swimwear which caters for larger sizes than those available in supermarkets (such as Huggies Little Swimmers which only go up to size 5-6).
Swimwear, including swim nappies, and swimming pool suggestions Read More »
Identity bracelets and car signs
Some parents have purchased identity bracelets and accessories for their car to be able to alert emergency services that their child is non-verbal.
Wheelchairs and buggies
The WestMARC Wheelchair and Seating Service provides wheelchairs (manual and powered) and children’s buggies, with postural supports if required, to people requiring wheeled mobility that are living in the West of Scotland. Any new users must be referred by a healthcare worker (such as a Health Visitor, School Nurse or GP) or a social worker. The main hub in in Yoker but there
Seatbelt accessories
Buckle guards can be used to stop a child unbuckling their seatbelt while travelling in a car or bus. There are many available on sites like Amazon and require a small key to open them. For children who can still escape their seatbelt or open the guards themselves, a more heavy duty option is a Crelling harness. The manufacturer recommend that a seatbelt cutter is kept in the vehicle to ensure the