Elections 2026: Manifesto pledges on Additional Support for Learning
What are political parties saying about Additional Support for Learning in their manifestos ahead of the 2026 Holyrood Elections?
In the Children in Scotland Manifesto for the upcoming Holyrood elections, we set out our position on Additional Support for Learning in Scotland.
Additional Support for Learning refers to the system of support available to children and young people who need extra help to benefit from education, as defined in Scottish legislation.
In our calls on education and development, we’ve set out the need for continued increase in funding for specialist provision of children with additional support needs and a renewed Additional Support for Learning Action Plan which aims to realise the Inclusion Ambassadors Vision Statement.
Across party manifestos, there is broad recognition of the pressures facing the education system and the need to strengthen support for children, young people and families. Across manifestos there are a range of policy ideas that could, if implemented correctly provide meaningful support to children and young people. There is an urgent need for the new Scottish Government to progress with activity around additional support for learning, and to ensure a continued focus on delivery on the Inclusion Ambassadors Vision for Additional Support for Learning.
Here’s a summary of what they had to say…
Conservative and Unionist Party
The Conservatives propose increasing staffing levels, including additional classroom assistants to support pupils with additional needs. They indicate that they would review the current approach to mainstreaming and consider its impact on learning and behaviour.
The party also refers to directing support through existing funding streams and giving headteachers clearer authority over disciplinary measures.
Labour Party
Labour proposes increasing staffing capacity, including additional classroom assistants and support staff in specialist settings. The manifesto highlights concerns about children with high needs not receiving adequate support and sets out plans for expanded training on neurodiversity and additional needs.
Labour also proposes a national neurodevelopmental pathway, improved transitions to adulthood, and implementation of legislation relating to restraint and seclusion.
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats propose increasing pupil support staffing and expanding access to specialist services such as speech and language therapy. They also commit to maintaining the value of Pupil Equity Funding and reducing waiting times for neurodevelopmental assessment and support.
Additional proposals include improving teacher contract stability and promoting smartphone‑free school environments.
Reform UK
Reform UK states that it would restructure aspects of the education system, including replacing Education Scotland. The party indicates that special needs provision would be reformed, although detailed proposals are not set out.
Scottish Greens
The Greens outline commitments relating to funding, training and access to support for children with additional needs. Their proposals include multi‑year funding for third sector organisations, targeted support for inclusive out‑of‑school provision, and recognition and accreditation routes for additional needs assistants.
They also propose mandatory training on autism and ADHD and reforms to coordinated support planning.
Scottish National Party (SNP)
The SNP sets out proposals to strengthen national systems and workforce support for additional needs. The manifesto indicates plans to adopt a national neurodevelopmental pathway and to integrate this with a new staged intervention model for additional support needs. It also commits to ensuring that children with additional needs receive appropriate specialist provision within their school.
Further proposals include access to behaviour‑specialist teachers and enhanced training for teachers working in special school settings.
Click here to read the Children in Scotland 2026 Manifesto.
