Requesting a Co-ordinated Support Plan

The one statutory plan in the Scottish system

A CSP is only required where a child needs significant support from education and at least one other agency (health or social work) over an extended period.

Your rights: The authority must decide whether to open a CSP within a reasonable time and give written reasons if it declines (s.2–3, 2004 Act).

Common pitfall: Parents often assume 'no CSP' means 'no entitlement to support' — it doesn't. Most support is delivered without one.

Your voice: If you believe more than one agency should be involved long-term, say so explicitly in writing — this is often the detail that determines whether a CSP is opened at all.

• Ask the education authority in writing to establish whether a CSP is needed

• Push for clarity on which other agency is involved long-term

• If refused, ask for the reasons in writing