How to request a Co-ordinated Support Plan assessment in Scotland

What to include

1. Describe the child’s additional support needs and how long they are expected to continue.
2. Identify the significant support provided or needed from education.
3. Identify another agency involved, such as NHS or social work, and the support it provides or may need to provide.
4. Explain why the support needs co-ordination across services.
5. Attach relevant reports or existing plans.

Important timescales

Current Scottish guidance says that if the authority does not respond to a CSP assessment request within eight weeks, that can be treated as a decision that no CSP is required. The eight-week period may extend to 16 weeks where the request falls within a school holiday period of four weeks or more. If the authority agrees to assess but does not reach a decision within 16 weeks, that failure can also be treated as a decision that no CSP is required.

If the authority says no

Ask for the decision and reasons in writing. Decisions that a CSP is not required, including certain deemed refusals caused by delay, can fall within the Additional Support Needs jurisdiction of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland. Check the current tribunal rules and seek independent advice before relying on a deadline.

Keep a chronology

Record the date of your request, the authority’s acknowledgement, all evidence sent, meetings, requests for more information and the final decision. This makes it much easier to identify whether a statutory time limit may have been missed.