Minutes: 28 June 2023

1. Additional Support for Learning:

The Committee heard evidence from—

Laura Caven, Chief Officer, Children and Young People Team and Co-Chair of the Additional Support for Learning Project Board, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA);

Laura Meikle, Head of Support and Wellbeing Unit and Co-Chair of the Additional Support for Learning Project Board, Scottish Government;

Fran Foreman, Project Board Member and Senior Education Officer – Inclusion and ASN / Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities, Education Scotland;

Scott Mulholland, Chair of the ADES Children and Young People’s ASN Network, Project Board Member and Assistant Director of Education, South Ayrshire Council.

2. Evidence Session (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 1.

The Committee agreed to consider an approach paper for its inquiry at a future meeting.

3. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

The Committee agreed —

• Its approach to its pre-budget scrutiny for 2024-25.

• To hold a one-off evidence session on Equally Safe (Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls) at a future meeting.

• To take evidence from The Promise and other organisations on The Promise Oversight Board’s Report Two at a future meeting.

• Its approach to Stage 2 of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill.

• To consider further matters relating to its work programme at its Business Planning Day.

The Committee also considered correspondence from Give Them Time and Magic Breakfast.

The Committee agreed to write to Give Them Time regarding its correspondence.

The Committee agreed to note the correspondence from Magic Breakfast and agreed to write to the Scottish Government and COSLA regarding breakfast provision offered within schools.

4. Work programme (In Private):

As Member in Charge of the Bill, Pam Duncan-Glancy left the meeting for this item. The Committee considered its work programme in relation to the Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill and agreed next steps in relation to its consideration of the Bill at Stage 1.