Improving Our Schools: Special Educational Needs: The Programme of Action

Foreword

The Scottish Executive is committed to developing policies aimed at improving the education and life skills of all children in Scotland's schools. Our policies are inclusive and apply fully to children with special educational needs.

We set out in this document a report of action we have already taken in the SEN area. This includes establishing a national SEN Forum to advise Scottish Ministers; and a national information and advice service for parents, families and carers of children. We have provided additional resources to support the inclusion of children with SEN in mainstream provision, to enable staff to develop their skills and expertise, to support local authorities' speech and language therapy provision, and to help voluntary agencies develop innovative approaches to assist the education of children with special educational needs.

We report on new legislation and guidance and highlight some areas which the new national SEN Advisory Forum will be considering.

I hope that you find this overview of the action that Scottish Ministers are taking helpful. I welcome your views and suggestions on what more we can do to strengthen our support for children and young people with special educational needs.

SAM GALBRAITH MSP
Minister for Children and Education