Holyrood education officials want to know if the education system is doing enough for children with additional support needs (ASN).
The Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee today issued a call for parents, teachers, support staff and pupils to help investigate ASN provision across the country.
As part of the inquiry, the committee will assess public support for a long-standing presumption that “mainstream education” should be the default for students with ASN – except in rare circumstances.
According to Scottish Government statistics, more than a third of children and young people in Scotland’s public and grant-maintained schools have at least one identified ASN.
An ASN can be based on a variety of circumstances, including disabilities or health issues, family circumstances and social or emotional factors.
It is the responsibility of local authorities to identify, provide for and review these needs among its students.
The Parliamentary inquiry is asking for parents, teachers, support staff, carers, pupils and support organisations to express their views.
The committee also wants to know how people think COVID-19 impacted ASN services and hear more about what happens when local authorities enter into a dispute over services provided.
A report was released in 2020 assessing Scotland’s ASN provision and its shortcomings.
Known as the Morgan Review, the report found much room for improvement.
It stated: “Additional Support for Learning is not visible or equally valued within Scotland's education system.
“Consequently, the implementation of Additional Support for Learning legislation is over-dependent on committed individuals, is fragmented and inconsistent and is not ensuring that all children and young people who need additional support are being supported to flourish and fulfil their potential.”
The Morgan Review also found that changes to reporting standards have resulted in an increase in the number of ASN pupils over the past decade.
Scottish Government statistics released in March show that 34.2% of pupils had an identified ASN in 2022. That breaks down to 28.3% of primary pupils and 40.1% of secondary students.
The inquiry also looks to address Section 15 of the "Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000".
This piece of legislation requires all students to be educated in mainstream schools.
It allows for exceptions if mainstream education would not suit a child's aptitude, would not suit the child's classmates, or would incur "unreasonable public expenditure".
In such cases, which lawmakers decided should be rare, children will be allowed to attend a special school.
Sue Webber MSP, convener of the Scottish Parliament Education, Children and Young People Committee, said that there is “no quick fix” for the country's ASN provision.
“We would like to hear what people with additional support needs, parents and carers, teachers and support organisations make of the current system and the services that local authorities and schools provide.
“If you have experience accessing additional support for learning in mainstream education or a specialist unit, views on the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of additional support for learning, or have been involved in discussions about the support a child or young person receives, please get in touch.”
The consultation opens today, October 25 and will run until December 31, 2023.
There will be public information sessions early next year, once the committee has collected views from the public.
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