Area Inclusion Groups

Some children and young people require more support in their education if they have additional support needs. Schools have lots of different strategies to support individual children and young people but sometimes they may wish to seek further and advice, and will make a referral to our Area Inclusion Group (AIG). Each area of the city has an AIG and the members of the AIG are headteachers from mainstream schools and Additional Support for Learning (ASL) schools. Schools submit referrals to the AIG for support and colleagues review these, offering advice. Sometimes a referral will lead to consideration of a pathway to an ASL school. When this happens your child's school should have spoken with you about this. However, this does not mean that a pathway will happen - just that it will be considered.

There are many factors the AIG must take account when considering what is appropriate support. We are improving our feedback to parents so that we can be clear and transparent about how we make decisions. These decisions are always taken in the best interests of children and young people and based on the evidence available to the AIG members.

The AIGs meet regularly throughout the year but if they take a decision to transition a child to a different provision this often does not happen immediately and needs planning for an enhanced transition.