What guidance has been given to local authorities about the extent to which parents of a disabled child may choose the mainstream school th…

The Scottish Executive has not issued any specific guidance on the extent to which parents of a disabled child may choose the mainstream school that they wish their child to attend. Parents of any child are entitled to make a placing request to their education authority as regards the school to be attended by their child. Placing requests for disabled children, in common with all other children, have to be considered under the framework in the Education Act 1980 (as amended), and education authorities can turn down those requests only for reasons set out in the legislation. However, section 15 of the Standards in Scotland's Schools Etc Act 2000 includes a requirement for education authorities to provide for all children in mainstream schools, except in certain specified circumstances. The Scottish Executive is currently preparing guidance for local authorities on this presumption in favour of mainstreaming.