A series of legislative amendments are to introduce a set of new rights for children with additional support needs (ASN), the Scottish Government has announced.

Parents of these children will now be able to submit an out-of-area placing request, to ask for their child to be moved to another local education authority. In addition, parents of children with a co-ordinated support plan will be able to lodge an appeal with a tribunal if such a request is not successful.

The changes to the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 also include new local authorities offering dispute and mediation services when a child has been moved.

"The Scottish Government wants all children, including those with additional needs, to have the opportunity to learn and develop, with access to the most effective and appropriate education services," Children's Minister Adam Ingram said.

"Across Scotland we have good provision for ASN children; however there are times when parents believe that their child's specific needs would be best catered for through facilities available in a different local authority. The changes we are introducing today will ensure that such requests are considered."

"Our key focus is on giving ASN children and their parents the best support that we can and I believe that these positive changes will help achieve just that," he added.

Extra funding was made available in August of this year by the Scottish Government, supporting two voluntary organisations that provide advocacy for parents of children with additional needs.