Overall, there was agreement during the session that the legislation is good, but there are concerns about its implementation. There was discussion about the many layers of legislation and policy that apply to supporting children with additional support needs, which are making things increasingly complex for practitioners. There was a general sense in the room that the system is under pressure.
With regard to where things are stretched too far, the main issues that were raised were to do with inconsistency in implementation in different areas, and accountability. The point was made that a lot currently falls to parents on accountability, and there were therefore concerns about parents who are marginalised and possibly unable to take the action that is required to access their child’s rights.
There was discussion about the sufficiency of resources in the additional support for learning system, and about transition for children with additional support needs—not just from school but into primary and between primary and secondary—particularly in relation to planning and preparation.
We discussed exclusion from school. Some attendees expressed concerns about both formal and informal exclusion, in particular about the recording of informal exclusion and the provision of education while children and young people are not in school.
We discussed the participation of children and young people in all elements of school life, such as being included in trips and play and not segregated from their peers. We also talked about how the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 interacts with getting it right for every child and the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, and anecdotal evidence was given of schools and authorities acting as if GIRFEC and child’s plans have replaced the additional support for learning act and co-ordinated support plans.
On recommendations and levers of change, the view was expressed that we need to do more to hear from the users—from children and young people—about their experiences of service, and we discussed training and the capacity of the workforce to take on the training that is required.
Finally, we talked about leadership and the strength that is needed to take forward the aspirations that we have for children and young people.