This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Proposals to improve support for pupils
17/01/2003
New proposals to modernise the framework that provides pupils who need additional support for learning were announced today.
The draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) Bill seeks to revamp a system that has been in place for over 20 years. It also represents a move away from special educational needs (SEN) terminology to the concept of Additional Support Needs (ASN) which will apply to all children who face difficulties in accessing education.
At Grange Academy in Kilmarnock today Education Minister Cathy Jamieson said the proposals had developed from constructive consultation with parents, children and professionals.
She continued:
"I want education to be a positive and inclusive experience for all young people. We must ensure that schools can provide a supportive environment, responsive to the needs of every pupil no matter what difficulties they might face in their learning.
"This draft Bill revises reforms current assessment and recording procedures for children with Additional Support Needs, ensuring that the whole systemeducation better addresses the needs of each individual child. It aims to modernise the framework which supports these children by moving away from the often-stigmatising definition of special education needs. It will strengthen the rights of parents, promote the participation of children, and continue to protect the needs of the most vulnerablechildren with complex needs.
"The new proposals will ensure a less bureaucratic approach which promotes more effective joined-up planning and provision of services among education authorities, schools, social workers and health professionals.
"The views of young people, parents, teachers and other professionals have been central to the development of this draft Bill and its launch now marks the beginning of further public consultation. There will now be further consultation and I hope that people will use this opportunity to make their views known.
"The proposals reflect and take forward the good practice that is already being implemented by many local authorities and partner agencies.
"I am confident determined that the proposals will promote a more inclusive environment for all children to learn in, ensuring that all young people have an equal opportunity to benefit from educationall pupils who need additional support for learning have their individual needs addressed, and have an equal opportunity to benefit from education."
Dr Kay Tisdall, Director of Policy and Research with Children in Scotland, welcomed the Bill:
"Our members have called for some time for substantially improved special educational needs legislation. The Executive has sought to consult widely on these proposals, including supporting Children in Scotland and partners in on-going consultations with children and young people. Children in Scotland will be examining the Bill closely, to ensure that it will deliver the co-ordinated, child-centred framework that we have asked for."
Also published today is Moving Forward! Additional Support for Learning which sets out the wider strategy for meeting the needs of children who require additional support for learning. It locates the relevant policies within the national priorities for education and the wider commitment to integrated services.
The draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill proposes:
- A move away from Special Educational Needs terminology to the wider concept of Additional Support Needs which will include all children who, for whatever reason and at any time, face difficulty in accessing and benefiting from education. The aim is to identify and address their needs whether their barriers to learning are social, cognitive, linguistic or due to disability or family/care circumstances
- Education authorities will be obliged to identify and take steps to address the support needs of all children for whom they provide education. Other agencies, particularly health and social work services, will also have a duty to help
- Parents and young people will be able to get more involved. Education authorities will have to publish their policies, arrangements and provision for additional support needs in education. Parents will also be provided with a named contact person who can give them information and advice on the system
- The Record of Needs will be discontinued - a new Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) will be introduced for children with complex or multiple barriers to learning who require additional support from outwith the education authority. The CSP will focus on the educational outcomes for the child and the support required to achieve these, rather than focusing on the weaknesses and deficiencies of individuals
- A new independent tribunal will be established to hear appeals relating to CSPs. It should be a simpler, quicker and user-friendlier appeal system. Parents will be able to appeal any part of the CSP including the provision of services to support the child. (This cannot be appealed in the current system)
- New mediation services will be available for all parents of children with additional support needs to help resolve any conflicts or disputes there may be with the school or education authority
- The current statutory Future Needs Assessment will be discontinued. Instead there will be a greater focus on planning and preparing a child with additional support needs for any transition between schools to ensure support is continued where it is needed. For the leaving school transition, the emphasis will be on preparing the child for life beyond school and working with other agencies to plan support
- Placing requests will be extended to allow all parents of children with additional support needs to request a place at an independent special school. This is currently limited to those children with a Record of Needs
Today's publication marks the start of a ten-week consultation on the draft Bill which will involve seminars and focus groups for interested parties.
These seminars will take place between now and the end of February at the following venues:
- Tuesday February 11 - Caledonian Stadium, Inverness
- Wednesday February 12 - Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre, Aberdeen
- Wednesday February 19 - Parkhead Stadium, Glasgow
- Thursday February 20 - Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh
- Monday February 24 - The Royal Lodge Conference Centre, Bridge of Allan, Stirling
- Wednesday February 26 - Cairndale Hotel, Dumfries
Grange Academy at Kilmarnock has more than 1,100 pupils aged 11-18. The school has particular expertise in teaching pupils who experience learning difficulties including hearing and visual impairments. It provides support including specialist teachers and one-to-one tuition when needed. The school has a unit for impaired hearing and many pupils who are not hearing impaired have learned British Sign Language (BSL) to enable them to communicate with hearing impaired friends and there is also a choir which uses BSL.
Children in Scotland is the national membership agency for those working with children and their families.
For further information, contact Moira Cameron at Children in Scotland on 0131 222 2410.