- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 May 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 10 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out its proposed timetable for implementing the new musculoskeletal pathway, including how it will ensure that the views of third sector organisations are reflected in the process.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 10 May 2023
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Additional Support for Learning Review Action Plan – Update November 2022, when it expects that a national performance audit on outcomes for children and young people with additional support needs will be conducted.
Answer
The Scottish Government is working with local government partners on the Additional Support for Learning Project Board to deliver the recommendations of the 2020 additional support for learning review by March 2026. As outlined in our updated action plan , published in November 2022, we have committed to engaging with Audit Scotland on a national performance audit on outcomes for children and young people with additional support needs. This work will be undertaken by Audit Scotland, and is therefore for them to determine their timescales. I have asked officials to make Audit Scotland aware of your question.
Progress by the Additional Support for Learning Project Board can be followed through the published minutes . A further progress update is due to be published in May 2024.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Additional Support for Learning Review Action Plan – Update November 2022, what developments have been made to "align and clarify the relationship between statutory and non-statutory plans and to align those plans".
Answer
The Scottish Government is working with local government partners on the Additional Support for Learning Project Board to deliver the recommendations of the 2020 additional support for learning review by March 2026. As outlined in our updated action plan , published in November 2022, we have committed to revise GIRFEC policy and practice guidance, including a single planning process for children and young people.
On 30 September 2022, the Scottish Government published a series of refreshed GIRFEC policy and practice guidance to provide practitioners and professionals working with children, young people and their families with the confidence, clarity and practical support to continue to embed the GIRFEC approach.
The next phase of the GIRFEC refresh includes guidance on planning for children and young people. This is in the early stages of development and requires a collaborative and pragmatic approach between all stakeholders to ensure its success within a shifting legislative and policy landscape.
The statutory Supporting Children’s Learning Code of Practice already provides advice on the relationship between statutory and non-statutory plans. However, this matter will be considered further as part of our work to refresh the Supporting Children’s Learning Code of Practice which will take account of the refresh of the GIRFEC Policy and Practice Guidance.
A further progress update is due to be published in May 2024.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Additional Support for Learning Review Action Plan – Update November 2022, when it plans to update existing guidance on the qualifications required to teach children and young people with sensory impairments.
Answer
The Scottish Government is working with partners in local government, The Scottish Sensory Centre, Sense Scotland and the General Teaching Council for Scotland to update existing guidance on qualifications and teacher competencies for those who teach children and young people with sensory loss.
A public consultation on the updated guidance is planned for later this year.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Additional Support for Learning Review Action Plan – Update November 2022, what progress has been made towards refreshing the getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) approach, and what new guidance it anticipates will come out of this.
Answer
The Scottish Government is working with local government partners on the Additional Support for Learning Project Board to deliver the recommendations of the 2020 additional support for learning review by March 2026. As outlined in our updated action plan , published in November 2022, we committed to revise GIRFEC policy and practice guidance, and to consider a single planning process for children and young people.
The Scottish Government published a series of refreshed GIRFEC policy and practice guidance to provide practitioners and professionals working with children, young people and their families with confidence, clarity and practical support to continue to embed the GIRFEC approach.
We are now considering a single planning process for children and young people. A collaborative and pragmatic approach will be taken in the development of any new planning guidance and subsequent impact on statutory and non-statutory plans.
This work is currently on track and the progress is set out in our second progress report , published in November 2022.
A further progress update is due to be published in May 2024.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Additional Support for Learning Review Action Plan – Update November 2022, what additional measures will be included at the next review of the National Performance Framework.
Answer
The Scottish Government are committed to working with COSLA, ADES and our partners to deliver improvements in additional support for learning implementation and to ensure meaningful change for children and young people through our Additional Support for Learning Action Plan. The most recent ASL Action Plan update published in November 2022 confirms the progress made on this commitment, including that any updates will be made as part of the next review of the national performance framework.
Ministers are required by statute to review the National Outcomes within five years of their previous publication. The next statutory review of the National Outcomes is underway. Public consultation began on 14 March 2023 and the review is expected to conclude during term 3 of Parliament (2023-24).
The action plan update confirms that this work will be informed by the development of the national measurement framework. Work continues on the development of this, as was confirmed in the answer to question S6W-15807 on 22 March 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
The Scottish Government will continue to report on the progress of implementation of the ASL Action Plan through formal progress reports. The next progress report is due to be published in May 2024.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Additional Support for Learning Review Action Plan – Update November 2022, what communications have taken place with stakeholders, to date, to ensure that the independent review of qualifications and assessment "fully considers the needs of children and young people with additional support needs".
Answer
The Independent Review is continuing to seek views from stakeholders from across the education landscape on how a system of qualifications and assessment can uphold the rights of all learners, including those with additional support needs.
I am aware that Professor Hayward has met Angela Morgan, Chair of the Review of Additional Support for Learning Implementation, and has visited a range of schools where additional support needs have been specifically discussed. In addition, Professor Hayward has also spoken directly to young people with additional support needs.
The Review is scheduled to report to the Scottish Government by the end of May 2023.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Additional Support for Learning Review Action Plan – Update November 2022, whether it has made progress towards refreshing the Supporting Learners’ Code of Practice, and what its assessment is of how this will support schools and local authorities to fulfil their duties under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004.
Answer
The Scottish Government is working with local government partners on the Additional Support for Learning Project Board to deliver the recommendations of the 2020 additional support for learning review by March 2026.
As outlined in our updated action plan , published in November 2022, we have committed to refresh the Supporting Children’s Learning Code of Practice, to ensure that it fully supports schools and local authorities to fulfil their duties under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. This will help improve the support available for children and young people, who face barriers to their learning, to reach their fullest potential. The progress on this work was set out in our second progress report , published in November 2022 and has continued during this year.
A further progress update is due to be published in May 2024.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Additional Support for Learning Review Action Plan – Update November 2022, how the findings from reports by children’s services, Regional Improvement Collaboratives, and Annual Education Plans have been utilised in order to measure and improve additional support needs planning and outcomes at the local authority level, given that "this action has been underway for some time".
Answer
The Scottish Government is working with local government partners on the Additional Support for Learning Project Board to deliver the recommendations of the 2020 additional support for learning review by March 2026. All local authorities are considering the actions of the ASL Review, and will continue to consider the incorporation of actions within local improvement plans.
In addition, the Scottish Government is working with partners in ADES, COSLA and Education Scotland, to develop a national measurement framework which aims to support improved outcomes for children and young people with additional support needs.
This work will continue to be considered as part of the action plan and progress can be followed through the published minutes of the Project Board.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Additional Support for Learning Review Action Plan – Update November 2022, whether it is on track to share the evaluation of the engagement programme, and, if so, what (a) visions and (b) values have been agreed upon.
Answer
Education Scotland are leading on a national engagement programme for Pupil Support Staff, which sought the views of Pupil Support Staff, senior leaders, children and young people and parents and carers.
The 4 month consultation element of the programme was extended and closed in March 2023. Over 2,500 surveys were completed representing all 32 local authorities. Analysis and evaluation of all the programme responses is in progress as is the programme report and should be completed by July 2023.
The programme has provided the first national opportunity for Pupil Support Staff to share their views on a range of areas including whether they feel it would be beneficial to have their own workforce vison and set of values. They were also asked to collaborate on the development of any potential workforce vision and values using draft versions provided. A wide range of suggestions and comments were received and this feedback is currently being collated within the programme evaluation report.