Parents, teachers and councils are being offered the chance to work together to make sure disabled children are fully involved in school life.

The Scottish Executive believes most children with special education needs should be taught in mainstream schools.

It is launching the Inclusive Learning Network to give parents of disabled youngsters, and their teachers, information about how best to meet pupils' needs.

It will run in six council areas.

Inclusion issues

The families of pupils and their teachers can often find teaching special needs children in mainstream schools to be a difficult and frustrating experience.

The Equity group already offers support and advice on inclusion through a helpline.

It is now launching the Inclusive Learning Network to give parents of disabled children and their teachers training and information about how best to meet pupils needs.

The �150,000 executive project will run in six council areas.

It is hoped the strategies and case studies it produces will help other schools and parents deal with their own inclusion issues.