Tories to call for ‘immediate action’ on learning support

The Scottish Tories will call for “immediate action” from the Government on additional support for learning (ASL) in a debate this week.

The party will urge ministers to bring forward a review of ASL in schools after a report from Audit Scotland found 40% of children had additional support needs.

The party has questioned the Government’s presumption of mainstream education, where children with additional needs remain in mainstream schools unless exceptions apply.

Ahead of the debate on Wednesday, Scottish Tory education spokesman Miles Briggs said: “Audit Scotland’s report earlier this year on additional learning support was damning.

“It is clear there needs to be a fundamental review into how this support is being delivered in Scotland’s schools and that is exactly what our debate this week will urge all MSPs to back.

“Despite around 40% of Scotland’s pupils now requiring ASL support, Audit Scotland highlighted the SNP’s shocking failure to plan and resource accordingly to tackle this issue.

“Ministers have been asleep at the wheel while teachers and staff have faced unacceptable pressure and some of our most vulnerable pupils have been let down.

“We need to see immediate action to understand if the SNP’s presumption of mainstream education is what is best for ASN pupils and for resources to be put into a national programme of training in our classrooms.

“The SNP have stood by while children have been removed from diagnostic pathways and getting the support which they were desperately crying out for.

“Ministers who have presided over a general decline in Scottish education cannot continue to ignore these warnings and must now back our calls for a different approach.”

The presumption of mainstream education has existed in Scotland since 2003, having been enshrined in law by the Labour-Lib Dem coalition of the time in a vote in 2000, where only the Scottish Tories voted against.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “All children and young people should receive the support they need to thrive, and our inclusive approach to education is supported by a broad consensus, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

“Since the 2020 Morgan Review, we have delivered over 50 actions to improve educational experiences for children and young people with ASN, empowering them to become directly involved in decisions around their ASN, increasing learning opportunities for educators and creating parent support groups.

“Work continues to meet the challenges the growth in ASN presents and we are investing an additional £29 million this year to support the ASN workforce, in addition to record spend of over £1 billion by local authorities on ASN in 2023-24.

“Ministers will meet with the Auditor General shortly to discuss transparency of spend in greater detail.”

“Suggestions that the Government have inappropriately ‘removed’ young people seeking a diagnosis for a neurodevelopmental condition like autism or ADHD from CAMHS waiting lists are incorrect – CAMHS is not the correct service for children seeking a diagnosis for a neurodevelopmental condition, unless they have co-existing mental health condition.

“Long waits for mental healthcare are unacceptable and it is vital that people across Scotland receive support to meet their needs at the earliest opportunity.

“There has been a significant increase in demand for diagnosis of neurodevelopmental conditions and together with NHS Boards, local authorities and community partners we are working to improve access to the best possible care. However, a diagnosis is not required to receive support.”