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.