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Mediators step in for special needs

A pioneering national pilot mediation service could make peace between Scotland's parents and local authorities. The service, being launched next month, is aimed at parents of children with special educational needs who would like to resolve conflicts with their local authority over provision for their child. Issues that can become contentious include school placement, assessment and record of needs procedures, allocation of resources, respite care and exclusion from school.

The service, being launched next month, is aimed at parents of children with special educational needs who would like to resolve conflicts with their local authority over provision for their child. Issues that can become contentious include school placement, assessment and record of needs procedures, allocation of resources, respite care and exclusion from school.

The mediation project, set to be piloted in a number of local authorities around Scotland, is being run by Enquire, the national special educational needs information and advice service, which is based at Children in Scotland and funded by the Scottish Executive.

It aims to provide a formal way for parents or carers, schools and local authority departments or services to resolve differences. The process should also work to promote a positive relationship between them.

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