"Over the past few years, I have led a team consisting of staff, parents, young people and Health and Allied health professionals. We have worked on developing health and wellbeing, nutritional and feeding guidelines for our school that reflect the individual needs of young people and their families. In addition they take into account local policy, national guidelines and more importantly the significant social issues surrounding this area.
In the life of a young person with additional support needs, the core importance of nutrition and wellbeing can take on greater significance and require a different approach to ensure that all young people thrive, and have access to the same opportunities as their peers.
I feel the new Scottish Government guidelines reflect this core need and excitingly recognises innovative strategies, new approaches and tackling of issues within the area of additional support needs.
Over the development of these new guidelines, we have taken a more integrated approach to supporting young people and their families. In addition, we have ensured that the core principles in the guidance enhances the 4 capacities of Curriculum for Excellence which I feel gives huge potential for developments in the future.
I hope this encourages the sharing of good ideas and integrated practice that offers greater support to all our young people as we strive for excellence in our support and service to young people and their families."
Jim McCaffrey, Head Teacher at Hillside Special School in East Ayrshire
March 2011