Chamber and committees

What can you say about public sector reform in general that you think could help with that?

I think that it is important for the Government to show leadership on that.

It will not surprise the cabinet secretary to hear me say that we need to look at the legislation in terms of the plans that are available, as I made that point extensively in the passage—perhaps I should say, the non-passage—of my Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill.

A moment ago, we heard that individual plans are on the increase but they do not have a statutory basis. Before I move on to my substantial question, will the cabinet secretary say whether she thinks that there is a need to put some of those plans on a statutory basis so that parents have the right to redress?

I think that colleagues will probably deal with the issue in more detail, but thank you for that answer.

On the point about the committee being made aware that a range of services outwith education are required—the cabinet secretary has already highlighted this, so I think that the issue is understood—there are a number of services, such as speech and language therapy, child and adolescent mental health services, counselling services and social work services, that are required to be available for a young person. Is it the cabinet secretary’s intention that education should be co-ordinating those services to support children with complex needs?

It very much feels that way, and teachers have told us that. They can have 33 pupils in their classes, although the number goes down to an average of six in special schools. Class sizes, workload and non-contact time all have to be part of the solution, so I would like to hear the cabinet secretary say whether those things will be included in the action plan.

Finally, on the joined-upness of services, there is one educational psychologist to around 650 pupils, and there is a budget reduction of around £10 million in mental health. How does the cabinet secretary see all the joined-up provision working in the way that she describes without putting extra workload on teachers?

Thank you—I appreciate that. That brings me nicely on to my next question. Do you believe that local authorities are taking a rights-based approach? How is that reflected in resource allocations for pupils with complex needs, and in supporting families and young people to contribute to and challenge decisions of the local authority?

I will resist the temptation to talk about CSPs and resources, because other colleagues will talk about those. Why is communication breaking down and what do we need to change to ensure that everybody knows who should be communicating what, at the right point, and to whom?

Okay.

Good morning and, as the convener said, thank you for what you have submitted in advance.

I have a fairly open question to start with. Why do parents feel that they have to fight all the time? What are the root causes of the difficulties that they and children and young people face?

Good morning, and thank you for joining us and for sending the information to the committee in advance. It has been hugely helpful.

I have a broad opening question. Why do parents have to fight all the time? What is the root cause of the difficulties that they and their children and young people face when accessing education?