Creating the space for solutions to be found

Creating the space for solutions to be found

Additional Support Needs Mediation in Education

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 places a duty on local authorities to provide access to independent mediation for resolving disputes with parents and carers of children and young people with additional support needs. We call this Additional Support Needs (ASN) Mediation

What is mediation?

Mediation is a flexible way of solving problems or disagreements in a whole range of situations. It can help the people involved to find a way forward, working with an impartial, independent mediator.  The mediator is not employed by the Council, but provides services to Local Authority as an independent company, Resolution Mediation Scotland.

Mediation is:

  • Voluntary.  People are willing to come to the session because they want to try to settle the problem or disagreement, even if they don’t know how to do that.
  • Confidential.  This means that issues and ideas for solving the issues can be discussed, without worrying about them being used against you in the future.
  • Flexible.  Mediation will be carried out online using Zoom.  This means that you don’t have to meet face to face in person and allows you to meet from home.
  • Informal. The mediator is trained to make mediation sessions as supportive and as comfortable as is possible, for everyone involved.
  • Balanced so that everyone gets a fair chance to be heard.  Mediation provides an opportunity for you to say what’s important to you and your child and hear the other person’s views, who is representing the Local Authority.
  • Child focussed:  ASN mediation is focussed on finding a way forward, that best meets the needs of your child.
  • Speed:  taking part in mediation means you will agree solutions or the way forward, quicker and more easily than other methods.
  • Cost: the mediation service is free and is offered by the Council, through an independent company, to support you and your child.

Mediators are:

  • Even handed: they avoid taking sides, or deciding who’s right or wrong
  • Supportive: help people work out what needs to be discussed and what might be the options for a way forward.  The mediator will support people to discuss the options and agree the solutions
  • Understanding: The mediator understands it can be difficult to discuss your disagreement with the Council. The mediator provides a safe and supportive environment and ensures the meeting is carried out in a calm and respectful way

A mediator asks questions and listens, during the first individual private meeting with you. These meetings are all completely confidential. Then a joint meeting is organised, with the representative of the Council, you and the mediator. At the end of the joint meeting, you and the Council representative, agree on the way forward.

Often this agreement is put into writing so that it is clear what has been agreed. However, mediation is a flexible process, and if more meetings are required in order to find a way forward to meet the needs of your child, then this will be discussed and agreed with those involved.

The mediators are all accredited and have been mediating for many years and have additional training in ASN Mediation. They are all practitioner members of Scottish Mediation and are on their register of accredited mediators. They work independently from the Council, through Resolution Mediation Scotland.

You can contact Resolution Mediation Scotland directly, by phone or email to make an initial appointment or to discuss whether mediation may be the right route for you and your child.  You can also be referred by someone else.

Or click here to request Mediation

Anyone can make a referral to Resolution Mediation Scotland for mediation: the child, young person, parent, carer, the Local Authority or any organisation involved in supporting a child or young person and their family. Referrals can only be made with your permission, as mediation is a voluntary process.

Click here to request Mediation

You can email them at info@resolutionmediationscotland.co.uk or you can text or phone them on:  07577060801 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm


or you can click here to request Mediation