A Scottish council has opened an investigation into complaints of ‘offensive and discriminatory’ comments by a senior officials discussing proposed changes to additional support needs policies, The Herald can exclusively reveal.
In a letter submitted to the council’s corporate complaints department, and copied to all elected members, parents demand an investigation of, and apology for, statements made during a public consultation event. The council has confirmed that the matter is being handled as a Stage 2 complaint.
The parents’ letter alleges that Kerry Drinnan, the council’s Service Manager for Additional Support Needs, stated that staff in Enhanced Provision units – specialist centres supporting pupils with complex needs – would be “paid more working in Tesco”.
It also alleges that Head of Education Deborah Davidson described children with additional support needs as “tricky”.
Both comments were made during a public meeting in Grangemouth to discuss the council’s proposed changes. Parents attending these events have told The Herald that they have been “nothing short of an embarrassment” and said that council officials “cannot answer even the simplest of questions or give any evidence or data to back up their plan.”
The complaint letter states that the officials’ remarks, which are described as “derogatory, demeaning and unprofessional”, serve to “demonstrate a clear lack of understanding, empathy, and respect for our children”. It notes that the comments “were made in a public forum and have caused significant offence and distress to families of children with additional support needs, as well as to the staff who work tirelessly to support them.”
The parents add that the incident has “severely undermined public confidence in the consultation process” currently underway.
Officials have proposed ending the system of bespoke Enhanced Provision units, of which there are currently 15 across the authority, and redistributing the resources across all 47 primary school in the area, with the goal of having all children educated in the school whose catchment area covers their home.
Although parents at public meetings have been told that no child will be forced to move school, material published by the council, and still available online as part of the consultation, clearly states: “Pupils who currently have a place in an Enhanced Provision may have to return to their local school with support.”
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Concerns have also been raised by political representatives including Central Scotland MSP Richard Leonard, who has written to the council advising that he shares a number of concerns raised by constituents. Mr Leonard has submitted a wide range of questions, and specifically highlighted the council's failure to complete an assessment of impact of its proposals on equity and poverty in the area.
The consultation is due to run until October 27.
Speaking to The Herald, Lisa Brown, one of the parents behind the complaint, said:
“These comments caused such upset because they reflect a profound disrespect for both the children and the staff who support them every single day.
“When Kerry Drinnan said Support for Learning Assistants ‘would be better paid working in Tesco,’ it wasn’t just a throwaway remark — it was insulting. These are highly skilled, compassionate professionals who carry out complex, emotionally demanding work with some of the most vulnerable children in education. To compare their role to stacking shelves devalues their expertise and sends a message that the council does not truly value the people who hold the system together.
“And when Deborah Davidson referred to ASN pupils as ‘tricky,’ it reinforced a damaging stereotype. Our children are not ‘tricky’; they are unique, individual, and often misunderstood. Describing them that way diminishes them and suggests they are a problem to be handled rather than children to be nurtured.
“For parents who have fought tirelessly for their children to be seen, supported, and respected, hearing such language from senior education officials is devastating. It tells us that the people making decisions about our children’s futures may not even understand or respect who they are.”
A spokesperson for Falkirk Council said:
“We will not be making any comment on this, as it is being handled via the due process as per the Council’s complaints procedure.”
