What the ASL? The Enquire Podcast

Enquire

The go-to podcast for all things Additional Support for Learning in Scotland. Join us for short, insightful conversations as we explore how to support every child’s learning journey.

Episodes

  1. 10/09/2025

    Financial Support and ASL - with Family Fund

    We are joined by Salena Begley MBE from the charity Family Fund, who talks to us about how the work they do to support families on a low income raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person in Scotland. This episode covers: Challenges to financial wellbeing facing families of disabled or seriously ill children, including unavoidable additional costs related to disability or ill-health The inadequacy of social security How the Cost of Caring report - research from Family Fund into the additional costs for families and the impact on health and wellbeing - could be used to inform policy development The interplay between schools meeting a child’s needs and the impact on employment, and in turn, financial wellbeing How schools, and other professionals, can provide access to support in a non-stigmatising way, including signposting to Family Fund Salena Begley MBE is Partnership Engagement Manager (Scotland) for Family Fund. She was awarded an MBE in 2017, for services to Child Welfare. Family Fund is the UK’s largest grant-making charity for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person. Their Scotland programme, provides grants and support to families in Scotland, assisting with a range of items such as clothing, furniture, sensory toys and digital devices, to family breaks and days out. Find out more at: https://www.familyfund.org.uk/grants/schemes/scotland-core-programme/ Enquire provides a range of advice and information for parents and carers of children and young people with additional support needs relating to additional support for learning, from the age when they are eligible for funded childcare to when they leave school. Visit: https://enquire.org.uk/

    29 min

  2. 10/02/2025

    ASL and Technology - with CALL Scotland

    We are joined by Paul Nisbet who talks to us about the benefits and potential of technology to support learners with additional support needs. This episode covers: The different types of technology available to aid with alternative and augmented communication Who is responsible for providing technology to facilitate learning and communication Assessing need using the SETT framework (Student, Environment, Task, Tool) Accessibility, access and inclusion Exploring opportunities with existing technology and the right support, including how to use assistive technology in the mainstream Paul Nisbet is the former Director of CALL Scotland, based at Moray House, University of Edinburgh. CALL Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government to provide help to anyone who would benefit from using technology, providing a range of information and resources, including devices. CALL Scotland also works with a number of local authorities across Scotland. Visit the CALL Scotland website: https://www.callscotland.org.uk/   Visit the Enquire website for more information and advice about support in school and additional support for learning: https://enquire.org.uk/

    33 min

  3. 09/10/2025

    Support Planning

    In this episode, Ellenor and Mark from the Enquire helpline chat about support planning at school. They discuss when support for learning might be needed and what this should look like.  They also cover: When individualised support and formal planning may be needed The different plans that might be used What a Co-ordinated Support Plan is and who may be eligible for one How schools or local authorities decide what type of plan a child needs Routes to explore if you feel your child should be on a formal support plan but the school disagree Reviewing support plans. Find out more: Different stages of support planning - enquire.org.uk/parents/getting-support/how-support-is-planned Co-ordinated Support Plans - enquire.org.uk/parents/getting-support/co-ordinated-support-plans-overview

    18 min

  4. 06/26/2025

    Supporting Young Carers in School - with Carers Trust Scotland

    We are joined by Kelly Munro from Carers Trust Scotland. She talks to us about what being a young carer means, tackling stigma and making school a safe, supportive space. Kelly is the Education Officer (Primary and Secondary) (Scotland) with the Carers Trust, a national organisation working to increase awareness and improve support for young carers. This episode covers: Recognising what makes someone a young carer Addressing and tackling stigma around being a young carer, or the circumstances that lead to caring responsibilities Young carers and the law, specifically The Carers Act 2018 Connecting with peers at the Scottish Young Carers Festival Caring responsibilities being recognised as an additional support need Building positive relationships, including nominating a Young Carers Champion in school Find out more: Carers Trust Scotland - carers.org/our-work-in-scotland Enquire - enquire.org.uk

    35 min

  5. 06/03/2025

    Children's Rights - with My Rights, My Say

    In this episode, we find out more about the My Rights, My Say service. My Rights, My Say is a partnership service, delivered by Enquire, Children in Scotland, Partners in Advocacy and Cairn Legal. It works to support young people aged 12-15 with additional support needs to be involved, engaged and supported in their education. Lucy and Susies chat about how the My Rights, My Say service works, how it has evolved over the years and how it has helped children and young people with additional support needs share their views and have their voices heard.   Find out more: Enquire - enquire.org.uk My Rights, My Say - myrightsmysay.scot Partners in Advocacy - pia.scot Children in Scotland Children's Views Service - childreninscotland.org.uk/my-rights-my-say Cairn Legal - cairnlegal.co.uk

    30 min

  6. 06/03/2025

    Preparing for Meetings

    In this episode, Ellen and Mark from the Enquire helpline chat about preparing for meetings. At Enquire we know parents and carers can find meeting with the school difficult, for many different reasons. We discuss why meetings might take place and offer some top tips on how to feel prepared. We also provide advice for during and after the meeting, with the intention of ensuring everyone is working together to support your child in the best ways available.   Find out more: Working with the school - enquire.org.uk/parents/working-with-school Preparing for meetings - enquire.org.uk/parents/working-with-school/getting-the-most-from-meetings Parents' right to be involved - enquire.org.uk/parents/working-with-school/parents-rights Your child's rights - enquire.org.uk/parents/rights/your-childs-rights Local authority information - enquire.org.uk/resources My Rights, My Say - myrightsmysay.scot

    34 min

  7. 06/03/2025

    Supporting Families - with Parenting across Scotland

    Parenting across Scotland Chief Executive, Amy Woodhouse, talks to us about their Parent Evidence Review, the need to take a holistic view when addressing issues families face and working together to share expertise when it comes to children and young people with additional support needs.   Find out more: Enquire - enquire.org.uk Reach - reach.scot Parenting Across Scotland - parentingacrossscotland.org

    32 min

  8. 06/03/2025

    Dyslexia and Support at School - with Dyslexia Scotland

    Hannah from Enquire and Cathy Magee from Dyslexia Scotland discuss how dyslexia can impact children and young people at school, as well as how these needs can be supported. This episode covers: what dyslexia is and the impact it can have on children and young people’s learning how families and schools can work together to meet the needs of dyslexic pupils the steps that families can take if they are concerned about their child’s support at school.   Find out more: Enquire - enquire.org.uk Reach - reach.scot Dyslexia Scotland - dyslexiascotland.org.uk Dyslexia Unwrapped - unwrapped.dyslexiascotland.org.uk

    28 min

  9. 06/03/2025

    Taking Control of Transitions - with ARC Scotland

    In this episode Hannah from our helpline team talks to Tracey Francis from ARC Scotland. They chat about supporting young people with additional support needs to prepare for life after school. Tracey shares her expertise about what can be done to get transitions right and explains how their new app 'Compass' can help everyone understand the transitions process better, and find the best information at the right time for them.   Find out more: Enquire - enquire.org.uk Reach - reach.scot ARC Scotland - arcscotland.org.uk Compass - compasslaunch.scot

    28 min

  10. 06/03/2025

    Working Together - with Resolve & Partners in Advocacy

    Welcome to Enquire’s first What the ASL? Podcast – half an hour with experts, discussing all things Additional Support for Learning (ASL)!   In this episode we talk about working together. We are delighted to welcome Sandra Mitchell from Resolve: ASL Mediation and Sarah-Jane from Partners in Advocacy. We chat about what it means to work together – the importance of relationship building, how to communicate more effectively, and what to do when disagreements arise.   Find out more: Enquire - enquire.org.uk Reach - reach.scot Resolve: ASL Mediation - resolvemediation.org.uk Partners in Advocacy - pia.scot

    29 min
  • 10 Episodes

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The go-to podcast for all things Additional Support for Learning in Scotland. Join us for short, insightful conversations as we explore how to support every child’s learning journey.

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