How can I contribute my views to the review?
We are keen to ensure that everyone with an interest in the review is given the opportunity to express their views. Firstly, you may wish to register your e-mail address. This will be used to update you on the review's progress and opportunities for engagement. These opportunities will include online discussion forums using the Engage for Education site as well as face to face discussions.
However, please feel free to also contact the review secretariat if you have particular views you wish to contribute.
Who else is involved in the review?
Please see the membership section of this site for details on who is involved so far.
How long will the review take?
The review is expected to make its recommendations to the Scottish Government in early 2012.
What do you mean by complex additional support needs?
Children and young people have additional support needs when they need support to help them minimise or overcome barriers to their learning and achievement of full participation in the life of the school. The spectrum of additional support needs ranges from those which are long term, profound and complex to those which are short term and may be quickly met.
For further information on support for learning please see:
http://enquire.org.uk/what-is-additional-support-for-learning
The Scottish Government wants to ensure that every child or young person has their additional support needs identified and met in order to allow them to access education and realise their potential. This review is specifically focusing upon children who may need additional support not typically available to all schools and authorities, and who may need to draw on regional or national provision.
Is this review about removing the Grant from the Grant-Aided Special Schools?
No. The terms of reference for the review clearly set out its scope. It is reviewing learning provision for all children and young people with complex additional support needs. Some of these children and young people will attend the Grant-Aided Special Schools. However its outcomes will clearly have implications for all services supporting this group. Those outcomes will be derived from the review process.
Is this review just replicating the Riddell Report?
No. The Riddell Report had many important things to say about Special Education and many of the issues addressed by Riddell remain. This review will take account of the conclusions of Riddell, however, the legislative and policy frameworks have changed significantly in the past ten years. Local Authorities and Independent Providers have also developed their services during this period and the Doran Review will take full account of all the historical and current issues in it's recommendations.
Will there be additional funding available to implement the review recommendations?
Given the pressure on public finances it cannot be assumed that additional funding will be available. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that every child in Scotland receives the support they need to access education and realise their potential. Currently, significant public resources are invested in achieveing these outcomes. The review will consider whether these resources can be more effectively targeted.
My child attends a Grant-Aided Special School/Independent/Local Authority School. What difference will this review make to them?
Any implications for an individual child will not be known until the review recommendations are known and the Government has responded to them. However, the remit of the review is to consider how the system around any child or young person with complex additional support needs can be improved to ensure they can access learning opportunities and realise their potential.
Do you have a question which has not been answered here?
Please feel free to contact us with your question.