Children and Young People's Neurodevelopment Support Fund 2026-2027: supporting guidance

Governance and Reporting

Local authorities should ensure appropriate arrangements are in place to oversee the planning, delivery and review of activity supported through this funding. Consideration should be given to how funded activity contributes to the outcomes set out in this guidance, and supports local priorities for children, young people and families.

In planning and reviewing activity supported through this funding, local authorities are encouraged to engage with Children’s Services Planning Partnerships. This can support understanding of local need, alignment with wider planning for children and families, and shared learning across services and sectors.

To support ongoing improvement, local areas should consider meaningful and proportionate monitoring and evaluation of funded activity. Consideration should be given to what information is already available through existing education, health and community systems, alongside feedback from children, young people and families. This information can help local areas demonstrate the positive impacts being made, understand what is working well, identify gaps or emerging needs, and inform future service development.

A learning-cycle approach is encouraged, supporting local areas to reflect on delivery, outcomes and experience, and to use this learning to strengthen support for children, young people and families over time and to ensure that the combined investment is improving outcomes for them.

This guidance does not include specific reporting requirements which will be agreed between COSLA and Scottish Government and issued separately to local authorities.