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Question reference: S4W-17977

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 28 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 5 November 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of instances in which its directorates have paid to promote government (a) ministers and (b) policies on social media.

(a) The Scottish Government does not pay to promote Scottish Government ministers.

(b) The Scottish Government uses social media as a part of integrated marketing campaigns to engage and promote government public information and social marketing activity.

Details of the Advertising spend for the Scottish Government Marketing Unit are available on the Scottish Government website at the following link:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/People/Directorates/Communications/advertising-marketing/spend.

Question reference: S4W-17978

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 28 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 1 November 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has commissioned (a) polling, (b) research and (c) focus groups to consider public attitudes to the referendum on independence.

Question reference: S4W-17309

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 20 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 16 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) strategic forums and (b) stakeholder reference groups have been set up by its education directorate; who the members are; how regularly they meet; whether they are time-limited, and what their relationship is with each other.

Please see table below. Following clarification and for completeness, the response covers details of all groups in existence during the last three years.

Name of Strategic forums and stakeholder reference groups	Purpose	Who the members are	How regularly they meet	Is this time limited?	What is the relationship with other groups
Early Years Taskforce	To provide strategic leadership for the early years change programme and co-ordinate policy across Government and the wider public sector to ensure that early years spending is prioritised by the whole public sector. The Taskforce will guide and oversee delivery of the early years change programme and have an active role in implementation.	Bill Alexander, Director of Health and Social Care, Highland Council Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People Sir Harry Burns, Chief Medical Officer (Scotland) Mike Burns, Director of Social Care & Wellbeing, Aberdeen City Council, Association of Directors of Social Work(ADSW) Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People Paul Carberry, Operational Director of Children’s Services, Action for Children Scotland John Carnochan, Retired - Det. Chief Superintendent and Head of Scottish Violence Reduction Unit Douglas Chapman, Children and Young People Spokesperson, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) Malcolm Chisholm, MSP Edinburgh North and Leith Lesley Gibb, Service Manager, Early Years, Stirling Council, Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) Pre-5 Anne Houston, Chief Executive, CHILDREN 1st Sally-Ann Kelly, Acting Director, Barnardo’s Scotland Brian Livingston Executive Director of Finance and Resource, Fife Council Iain Livingstone, Detective Chief Constable, Police Scotland Dr Nancy Loucks, Chief Executive, Families Outside David Martin, Chief Executive Renfrewshire Council, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) Elaine Mead, Chief Executive, National Health Service (NHS) Highland David O’Neill, President, CoSLA Sue Palmer, Chair of the Scottish Play Policy Forum, Play Scotland Caroline Selkirk, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Tayside HQ Julie Wild, Early Years Lead on National Parent Forum of Scotland Malcolm Wright, Chief Executive, NHS Education for Scotland	Quarterly	Continuing	Various sub groups
Play Strategy Working Group	To develop a national play strategy for Scotland	Julia Abel – Inspiring Scotland Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People Kathie Cameron, CoSLA Lesley Fox, Smart Play Network Marguerite Hunter Blair, Play Scotland Ian McLaughlan, Scottish Pre-School Association Irene Miller, NHS Health Scotland Eric Mitchell, Capability Scotland Sian Neil, Education Scotland Julia Robertson, Creative Star Learning Alastair Seaman, Grounds for Learning Margaret Westwood, International Play Association Scotland	Short life group – anticipate 3-4 meetings	Continuing through implementation period
Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) Programme Board	Providing Governance and direction to the GIRFEC Programme with members contributing to deliver the programmes action plan. It also functions as a senior stakeholder reference group	Aileen Campbell MSP Michael Burns, ADSW Kathy Cameron, COSLA Martin Crewe, Barnardo’s Lorraine Currie, NHS Grampian Alistair Delaney, Education Scotland Calum Irving, Voluntary Action Scotland (VAS) Sharon Johnston, Stirling Council Carol Kirk, ADES Rosemary Lyness, NHS Lanarkshire Karen Anderson, Care Inspectorate Michelle Miller, SOLACE Allan Moffat, Police Scotland Ralph Roberts, NHS Shetland	Quarterly	The Board is crucial to the on-going implementation of the GIRFEC Programme and will remain so for at least another two years	Sub Groups on Communications and Implementation
Scottish Children’s Rights Monitoring Group	To regularly monitor progress and plan future activity linked to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.	Scottish Government Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People Together Scotland	Quarterly	Continuing	Links to Advocacy Steering Group
Advocacy Steering Group	To support the Scottish Government in delivering its commitment to improve the quality, consistency and availability of advocacy support for children and young people.	Scottish Government Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People	Quarterly	Continuing	Links to Scottish Children’s Rights Monitoring Group
Scottish Child Protection Committee Chairs Forum	This is an independent working group that supports the Scottish Government in developing and implementing child protection policies, guidance and frameworks. The role of the group is to provide advice to the Scottish Government on local child protection related issues. Facilitate communication between the child protection committees and their agencies.	Child Protection Chairs (CPC) Chairs, lead officers and Scottish Government	Quarterly	Continuing	None
Ministerial Short-Life Working Group on Child Sexual Exploitation	A Working Group set up to consider child sexual exploitation issues and with a view to reporting to Ministers about this.	Children’s Charities, Police Scotland Local Authority Care Inspectorate Scottish Government	Series of meetings from April -December 2013.	Expected to conclude by end 2013	None
Child Protection and Disability Ministerial Working Group	Working group set up to take forwards actions to improve the ways that child protection practitioners support disabled children and young people, and also children in families where disability is a feature.	Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability Alliance Scotland Children’s Charities Local Authorities Enable Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Learning Strathclyde University WithScotland NHS	Quarterly	December 2013	Varied sub groups
Children’s Hearings Programme Board	To oversee and drive 10 key projects integral to children’s hearings modernisation.	Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration Children’s Hearings Scotland Scottish Government	Quarterly	To conclusion of programmes	Links to Children’s Hearings Improvement Partnership
Children’s Hearings Improvement Partnership	Multi-agency group set up (i) to identify strategic outcomes for the Children’s Hearings System ;and (ii) to pick up national operational issues, develop solutions and promote performance and practice improvement across the system;	Scottish Government Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration Children’s Hearings Scotland Police Scotland ADSW Children’s Hearings training representative COSLA NHS Safeguarder representative Scotland’s Commissioner for Children & Young People Care Inspectorate Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Children’s Panel Chairs Group representative Children’s Panel Advisory Group representative [Membership currently under review]	Under review	Currently under review. Decision on future November 2013.	Links to Children’s Hearings Programme Board
Looked after Children Strategic Implementation Group	Lead and drive forward programme of work to improve life chances for looked after children.	Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People Neil Hunter, Scottish Children’s Report Administration Robert Nicol, CoSLA Anna Fowlie, Scottish Social Services Council Romy Langeland, Independent Alistair Gaw, City of Edinburgh Council (ADSW) Carol Kirk, North Ayrshire Council (ADES) Karen Anderson, Care Inspectorate Duncan Dunlop, Who Cares? Scotland Alastair Delaney, Education Scotland Barbara Hudson, British Association for Adoption & Fostering Jennifer Davidson, Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS) Sandra Paterson Independent Alison Todd, Children 1st Jackie Brock, Children in Scotland Susan Elsley, Consultant Sally Egan, Scottish Child Health Commissioners Group, NHS Lothian	6 monthly A full review towards the end of year 3 of LACSIG (by Winter 2013) will be undertaken Various Sub Groups
Advisory Group for Additional Support for Learning	To advise Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Government on the implementation of Additional Support for Learning	Govan Law Centre Additional Support Needs Tribunal for Scotland Association for Directors of Education Scotland Enquire Skills Development Scotland Association of Heads and Depute Heads Scotland UNISON Children in Scotland Educational Institute Scotland Association of Scottish Principle Educational Psychologist Association of Directors of Social Work For Scotland’s Disabled Children National Parent Forum Scotland Education Scotland Additional Support for Learning (ASL) Resolve COSLA Allied Health Professionals Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People Association of Support for Learning Officers Scottish Government	Quarterly	No	Representatives link back to their organisations
National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychologists	Oversee the role and function of educational psychologists in supporting local authorities and providing advice to the Scottish Government in terms of addressing its national priorities for education	Scottish Government ADES COSLA British Psychological Society (BPS) Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) Association of Scottish Principal Educational Psychologists (ASPEP) Scottish Division of Education Psychologists (SDEP) Education Scotland Dundee University University of Strathclyde	6 months	No	None
Scottish Service Children’s Strategic Working Group	To work in collaboration with key stakeholders to support the education needs of children from armed forces families in Scotland	Scottish Government Ministry of Defence Royal Caledonian Education Trust Association of Directors of Education in Scotland Children’s Education Advisory Service	Quarterly	No	None
Scottish Traveller Education Review Group	To provide up-to-date guidance on the education of young people from Travelling families in Scotland	Scottish Government Education Scotland Scottish Traveller Education Programme COSLA	Quarterly	Yes – concluding date not yet agreed	None
Free school meals in Scotland under welfare reform - Short term working group	To consider the impact of the UK Government’s programme of welfare reform on free school meal eligibility in Scotland from April 2013, and to agree the objectives for legislative / policy change.	Scottish Government COLSA Local authorities Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE)	When required	Yes (tbc)	Yes, other welfare reform related forums
Guidance on the education of children unable to attend school through ill health – Review group	Advise on the review of the Guidance on the education of children unable to attend school through ill health.	Scottish Government ADES COLSA Action for Sick Children Scotland Local authorities Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) Education Scotland NHS Boards National Parent Forum	4 times/ year	Yes. Ends December 2013	No
Scottish Advisory Group on Behaviour in Schools	Provides advice to national and local Government about behaviour and relationships in Scotland’s schools and monitors development of positive relationships and behaviour policies.	Association of Scottish Principal Education Psychologists Association of Head teachers and Deputes in Scotland COSLA Education Scotland General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) School Leaders Scotland (SLS) Voice The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) Scottish Teacher Education Committee ADES Respectme National Parent Forum of Scotland (NPFS) Scottish Government.	Quarterly	No	N/a
Still Hungry for Success	Developing refreshed guidance for local authorities and schools to encourage and motivate further improvement in school food and drink provision and food education	Scottish Government ADES COSLA Education Scotland Food Standards Agency Scotland Scottish Food and Drink Federation NPFS Health Scotland Association of Service Solutions in Scotland Children in Scotland Association of Public Service Excellence Cordia Scotland Excel Highland Council (Primary Head Teacher) Glasgow City Council (Secondary Head Teacher)	6 times in 2013	Yes – to be complete by March 2014	N/a
Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport Excellence Group	Provides strategic advice to national government on how best to support local authorities and schools to further improve the quality and quantity of PE in schools and make better links between PE, Physical Activity and Sport.	Scottish Government Education Scotland Sportscotland NPFS COSLA Scottish Rugby Union Scottish Football Association University of Stirling (PE lecturer) Dumfries & Galloway Council (Quality Improvement Officer) Aberdeen City Council (PE Principal Teacher) Perth & Kinross Council (Active Schools Co-ordinator Falkirk Council (Secondary Head Teacher)	Quarterly	2014	n/a
Instrumental Music Group Short term working group	The remit of the Group was: To investigate the circumstances and practices of Local Authorities’ provision and policies for instrumental music tuition services and in particular, the practice of Local Authorities’ charging for such provision for pupils taking SQA exams as well as charging for instrumental music tuition in general. To consider the options for the delivery of instrumental music tuition through the use of community resources both in and out of school; and in light of this:- Provide recommendations to ensure greater clarity, transparency and fairness of Local Authority instrumental music tuition practices and the continued uptake and enjoyment of instrumental music opportunities in schools, irrespective of a young persons’ background or location.	Scottish Government ADES COSLA Education Scotland Creative Scotland Heads of Instrumental Teaching Scotland Scottish Association of Music Education EIS National Parent Forum Scotland Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Classic FM National Youth Choir of Scotland National Youth Orchestra of Scotland	Met once a month for 5 months	Yes	Set the work, through recommendations, for the subsequent Instrumental Music Implementation Group
Instrumental Music Implementation Group 18 month working group	The remit has still to be agreed at the first meeting, but it is proposed that this group will oversee and facilitate the strategic progression and implementation of the Recommendations in the report by the Instrumental Music Group by December 2014.	Scottish Government EIS COSLA Education Scotland Scottish Association of Music Education ADES Heads of Instrumental Teaching Scotland	Once a term between now and December 2014	Yes	Remit set by Instrumental Music Group recommendations
Strategic Commissioning Project Board	The Strategic Commissioning Project Board (SCPB) has been set up to support delivery of the strategic commissioning project. The project focusses on recommendations 7, 17-18(in part) and 19-21 of the Doran Review. Remit The SCPB will meet at the end of each stage of the project to review progress and approve the next stage of work. The SCPB recommends and agrees changes to the project as appropriate. Agrees the resources required for each Stage Plan. Sets the overall strategy and examines how the project links in with other initiatives. Approves completed products/outcomes. Responsible for communications between Project Management Team and external stakeholders.	Scottish Government Dr Stuart Aitken, CALL/Sense Scotland (SSC)/Enquire Susan Orr, ADSW Louise Gough, National Parents Forum Scotland Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People (SCCYP) Robert Nicol, COSLA Laura Forster, Scottish Council of Independent Schools Andrew Richmond, Scotland Excel Ian Ross, NHS Lanarkshire Neil Squires, Grant Aided Special Schools David Barr, Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) and Education Through Care Scotland (ETCS) member	Every 8-12 weeks	Yes To be reviewed April 2015	None
Commonwealth Games Legacy for Learning	Engage with key partners on the education and learning aspects of the Commonwealth Games Legacy programme	Scottish Government Education Scotland Scottish Qualifications Authority Association of Directors of Education in Scotland British Council Scotland Young Scot Glasgow Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Glasgow 2014 Sportscotland Glasgow City Council Universities Scotland Scotland’s Colleges	Bi-annual	Yes	Links to Game On Scotland and Legacy 2014
Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Working Group on tackling bureaucracy	Identify the main drivers around excessive bureaucracy relating to the implementation of CfE and make proposals for addressing the issues involved.	Scottish Government EIS ADES COSLA School Leaders Scotland (SLS) NASUWT Voice SSTA Association of Headteachers & Deputes in Scotland (AHDS) Education Scotland Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)	3 meetings planned	Ends Nov 2013	Links to CfE Management Board and SNCT
CfE Management Board, Learner Journey Subgroup	To ensure a coherent learner journey from the CfE senior phase into Higher Education, Further Education, training and employment.	ADES University of Edinburgh Universities Scotland Skills Development Scotland Education Scotland Scottish Government Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Headteacher, High School and Community College Open University Scotland NPFS SQA Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) Scotland Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Open University in Scotland Community Learning and Development (CLD) Standards Council for Scotland	Quarterly	Autumn 2015	Subgroup of the CfE Management Board.
Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy Project Management Board	Overall responsibility for providing leadership, strategic direction on the implementation of the SSLN. The Group is chaired by SG (Assessment and Qualifications Unit) and has a membership of SG Education analysts, Education Scotland, SQA and ADES.	The Group is chaired by Scottish Government (Assessment and Qualifications Unit) and has a membership of Scottish Government Education analytical services Education Scotland SQA ADES.	Quarterly	No	Members link to their organisations groups. Also links to the CfE Management Board
Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy Operational Project Team	Advisory group to the SSLN Project Management Board. Chaired by SG Analytical Services and has a membership of SG assessment policy, Education Scotland and SQA.	Chaired by Scottish Government Analytical Services and has a membership of : Scottish Government assessment policy Scottish Government Education Analytical Services Education Scotland SQA.	Every 2 months	No	Provides advice and recommendations to the SSLN Project Management Board
Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group (and a Working Group to advise on particular issues)	To consider all evidence relating to teacher supply and demand, including statistical modelling, and to prepare advice to Ministers on how many students the teacher education universities should recruit to their initial teacher education programmes	Representatives of the Scottish Government, CoSLA, the professional associations, the teacher education universities, Universities Scotland, the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council, the General Teaching Council for Scotland and Education Scotland.	The Advisory Group meets annually. The working group will have met 5 times in 2013	No	Receives input from range of sources and offers advice to Ministers.
National Early Phase Group (for Teacher Education)	To monitor the development of the new, enhanced university/local authority partnerships advocated in Teaching Scotland’s Future.	Representatives of the Scottish Government, the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, the teacher education universities, the General Teaching Council for Scotland, the professional associations, and Education Scotland.	3 or 4 times per year	No	Reports to the National Implementation Board
National Implementation Board (for Teacher Education)	To oversee the implementation of the recommendations of Teaching Scotland’s Future and proposals of the National Partnership Group.	An independent Chair from the University sector, representatives of the Scottish Government, the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, the teacher education universities, the General Teaching Council for Scotland, the professional associations, Education Scotland a representative from NHS Education.	8 times per year	We expect the Board to conclude its work in 2014	Receives input from a range of sources from across the sector.
Scottish Teachers Pension Scheme Negotiation Group (and a technical sub-group)	To consider scheme design for a new Teachers’ Pension Scheme to be introduced in 2015	Representatives of the Scottish Government, SPPA, the Government Actuaries Department, the professional associations, COSLA, Universities Scotland and Scottish Council of Independent Schools.	Group has met 11 times so far plus sub-group meetings with further meetings scheduled as required	Yes	No direct links
Strategic Implementation Group	The role of the SIG will be to oversee and facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of the Language Working Group’s report, Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 Approach, published on 17 May 2012	Scottish Government ADES NPFS COSLA EIS Education Scotland Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) GTCS.	3 times a year	Yes	The SIG membership was chosen to ensure that each member represents a stakeholder group; to achieve the remit and raise awareness of policy the SIG will engage with a range of stakeholder groups.
Standing Literacy Commission	Oversee delivery of SG’s literacy action plan published October 2010.	CBI COSLA ADES Education Scotland National Parent Forum Scottish Book Trust Scottish Library & Information Council.	Meets 3 times pa.	Yes	All curriculum groups exist to support implementation of Curriculum for Excellence or take forward Government manifesto commitments and interlink accordingly to ensure consistent and effective curriculum policy development.
CfE Management Board	Oversee the implementation of CfE	Representatives from Scottish Government SCIS Universities Scotland ADES College Development Network Scotland AHDS Education Scotland SLS NASUWT SQA GTCS EIS the Initial Teacher Education sector Skills Development Scotland (SDS) National Parent Forum Scotland A representative from COSLA also attends.	Quarterly	No	Links to the CfE Working Group on tackling bureaucracy and the CfE Management Board, Learner Journey Subgroup
Strategic Implementation Group – Support for Community Learning and Development.	The Group is responsible for overseeing implementation of the Strategic Guidance, overseeing progress, identifying issues and providing solutions and reporting to Scottish Government annually or on specific issues. The Strategic Implementation Group will act as the key reference group for the Strategic Guidance by: Monitoring overall progress in implementation of the Strategy Monitoring progress of the agencies represented on SIG in taking forward agreed tasks; Identifying and monitoring dependencies across delivery partners; Identifying potential barriers to success and related solutions; Providing advice and guidance on good practice to support effective implementation; Reporting to Scottish Government.	Maria Walker, ADES rep Alan Armstrong, Education Scotland Graeme Logan, Education Scotland Jackie Halawi, Education Scotland Neil Gunn, Dundee City Council Alasdair McKinlay, SG Denise Brock, Education Scotland Elaine Docherty, Education Scotland Elizabeth Morrison, HMI, Education Scotland Gareth Allen, Scottish Government Gita Sharkey, Scottish Government Graham Short, East Ayrshire Council Heather Stuart, Fife Council James Fowlie, COSLA Maria Walker, Aberdeenshire Council Robert Robertn, COSLA Rory MacLeod, Standards Council Yvonne Strachan	Quarterly	No - ongoing	Linked to Stakeholder reference groups
Stakeholder Reference Group – Quality assurance and quality improvement for CLD	The broad remit for the SRG, within the context of Quality assurance and quality improvement will include: communication and liaison with members/workforce/volunteers about progress in quality assurance and quality improvement consideration of current and future developments around quality assurance and quality improvement, its effective delivery and impact on improving outcomes for learners providing advice and guidance on good practice in quality assurance and quality improvement supporting the identification of dependencies across delivery partners and promoting links across providers.	Douglas Guest – Community Development Alliance Scotland (CDAS) Maggie Patterson – Community Learning and Development Managers Scotland (CLDMS) Emma Whitelock – LEAD Scotland Susan Walls – Learning Link Hugh Torrance – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Alison Hardie – Young Scot Gillian Lithgow – youth Link Scotland	Quarterly	No - on-going	Linked to stakeholder networks. Linked to Strategic Implementation Group
Stakeholder Reference Group- Support for Community Learning and Development -workforce development	The broad remit for the SRG, within the context of Support for Workforce Development will include: communication and liaison with members/workforce/volunteers about progress in support for workforce development consideration of current and future developments around support for workforce development, its effective delivery and impact on improving outcomes for learners providing advice and guidance on good practice in workforce development supporting the identification of dependencies across delivery partners and promoting links across providers	Fiona Ballantyne – Scottish Community Development Network (SCDN) Graham Hewitson – CLDMS David Howie – Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) Hilary Kidd – Learning link Alex Cumming – Duke Of Edinburgh Award (DofE) David Allan – Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) Tim Frew – Youth Link Scotland Michele Meehan – Young Scot Susan Wilson – Standards Council	Quarterly	No - on-going	Linked to stakeholder networks. Linked to Strategic Implementation Group
Stakeholder Reference Group – Strengthening the place of Community Learning and Development (CLD) in key policies and strategic planning	The broad remit for the SRG, within the context of Strengthening the place of CLD in key policies and strategic planning will include: communication and liaison with members/workforce/volunteers about progress in strengthening the place of CLD in key policies and strategic planning consideration of current and future developments around strengthening the place of CLD in key policies and strategic planning, its effective delivery and impact on improving outcomes for learners providing advice and guidance on good practice to support strengthening the place of CLD in key policies and strategic planning supporting the identification of dependencies across delivery partners and promoting links across providers	CLDMS - rep Barry Fisher – Dof E Penny Brodie – LEAD Scotland Fergus McMillan – LGBT Fiona Garven – SCDC Tam Hendry – Learning Link Jayne Stewart – WEA Margaret Mcleod – Youth Link Scotland Jim Sweeney – Youth Link Scotland Colin Ross, Standards Council	Quarterly	No - on-going	Linked to stakeholder networks. Linked to Strategic Implementation Group
Local Authority Skills Network. This group was created (and is hosted) by Education Scotland.	This group is one of two national skills networks. It focuses on skills development in schools. The related skills group is the World of Work (WoW) inter-authority network, which was not created by Education Scotland but is supported by us. The meetings are co-hosted between local authorities and Education Scotland. The WoW network focuses on the strategic development of employer engagement and learning in the context of the world of work.	Local authority officers engaged across a wide range of projects; Education Scotland. On-going input from: Scottish Government; Skills Development Scotland; Scottish Qualifications Authority.	It meets three times during the school session.	No
Corporate Inspection and Review Strategy External Reference Group	Provides views on approaches to inspection and review	Pat McVey, Ian Beach, Eileen Prior Greg Dempster, John Stodter, John Edwards, Ronnie Summer, Susan Quinn	Meets 1 /2 per annum	On-going
School Improvement Partnerships reference group	To advise and oversee the introduction of the school improvement partnership programme	Education Scotland EIS AHDS COSLA SLS Scottish Government Learning Directorate Glasgow University	As required	The initial work of the group has been completed – advising on the nature and detail of the SIP Programme. However, it is likely that this group will continue to provide oversight, advice and buy-in to the programme as it is implemented and potentially rolled out	None
Link officers for Rights, Support and Wellbeing	To update the group on new policy guidance/research, share practice and support the implementation of whole school approaches to promote positive relationships and behaviour.	Scottish Government Education Scotland Local Authority link officers for behaviours, attendance and exclusion	Quarterly	No	None
Diversity and Equality Network	To promote good practice, communicates and promotes professional dialogue on an improvement agenda in promoting diversity and equality and contributing to our upcoming National Good Practice Conference.	Education Scotland EIS Equalities Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Scottish Refugee Council Stonewall Youthlink, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights Scottish Government Learning Directorate	Twice a year	No	David Watt provides a link between this and the Tackling Sectarian-ism Network.
Tackling Sectarianism Network	To promote good practice, communicates and promotes professional dialogue on an improvement agenda in tackling sectarianism	Education Scotland Show Racism the Red Card, Nil By Mouth Scottish Communities Development Council Youthlink Youth Scotland, Voluntary Action Fund, Scottish Youth Parliament Bridging the Gap Church of Scotland Scottish Catholic Education Service Inter-Faith Council Sense Over Sectarianism Headteachers from schools in Glasgow and East Ayrshire Scottish Government Learning Directorate SG Community Safety	Twice a year	No	David Watt provides a link between this and the Diversity and Equality Network
The Education Psychology Service Network	To discuss the possibility of engaging in a VSE model with the profession. This would allow us to find an alternative model for gathering evidence of quality and to build capacity within the profession as we have stopped inspecting and finished with the Link EPS HMI.	Education Scotland Association of Principle Educational Psychologists Scottish Division of Educational Psychologists.	Quarterly	It will cease when we agree a model, probably another two meetings.	None
Glow Key Contacts	To work to advise on the development of services and content of Glow.	Representatives from local authorities and Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs).	Monthly	No	None
Modern Languages Primary Framework SLWG	The group is tasked with writing a framework for primary practitioners for P1-P7 modern language teaching. The group has met once & will meet a further 3 times before Christmas, in order to produce P1 teaching guidelines. P2-P7 guidelines will follow thereafter, with a publishing date of June 2014.	Anne McGachy ex HMI Christian Baert, SCILT Lynne Jones, SCILT Jane Keegan, Primary teacher, West Lothian Louise Dunn, Primary teacher, Renfrewshire Ann Robertson, EO modern languages, Edinburgh City Council Emma Sowerby, Primary DHT, Scottish Borders Jane Hassan, Primary teacher, South Lanarkshire Lorraine Sweeney, DO, South Lanarkshire	18th September, 7th October, 30th October and 18th November.	No	Linked to Strategic Implementation Group
Education Authority (EA) Assessment coordinators Forum	To provide on-going feedback on ES Assessment workstreams. It also plays an important role in providing a platform for EA collaboration and joint working	• Representative from each EA	The group meets 3 times a year	No	There are close links to ADES Curriculum and Assessment Group
NEYLAF - National Early Years Local Authority Forum	To provide a forum for local authority early years officers to meet to debate current issues and share effective practice, to promote and support high quality early learning and care.	• Local Authorities leads • Education Scotland	Twice a year	No, however the role of the group and timing of meetings is periodically reviewed	Several members of this group are also members of the ADES pre-5 group,
Scottish Bologna Stakeholders Group	Advise Ministers and officials on Scottish input to the European Higher Education Area	Chaired by Scottish Government, the group comprises of Scotland-based Bologna experts: Gerard Madill Dugald Craig Andy Gibbs Natalia Kozlowska Representatives from Education Scotland HE Academy National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Scotland Colleges Scotland SCQF Partnership SFC SQA Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Student Participation in Quality Scotland UK Higher Education International and Europe Unit Universities Scotland University and College Union.	Bi-annual	No	None
Disabled Students Advisory Group	Support the development of policy towards disabled students	Representatives from Colleges Universities Disability organisations NUS	Quarterly	No	None
PACE Partnership – Is both a Strategic forum and stakeholder reference group	Established on 23 June 2009 to bring together the Scottish Government with 18 other organisations to oversee the continuous improvement programme to enhance the operation of PACE	The Scottish Government Skills Development Scotland Department of Work and Pensions Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) Scotland Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards Citizens Advice Scotland CBI Scotland COSLA Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Scotland HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Scotland’s Colleges Scottish Chambers of Commerce Scottish Enterprise Scottish Funding Council Scottish Qualifications Authority STUC Scottish Training Federation Universities Scotland	Twice per year with sub-group meetings as required	No	None
National Delivery Group – A Strategic forum and stakeholder reference group	The NDG has been in existence since September 2006. The group's agenda revolves around 3 inter-linked themes :- Learning and making this central and not peripheral in taking employability forward; Sharing formally and informally across areas Identifying common challenges, to facilitate better service delivery at the local level. NDG is responsible for taking forward the SEF action plan.	Prof. Alan McGregor (Chair) The Scottish Government Employability lead officials from each of Scotland’s 32 Local Authorities, and their partners. National organisations with an interest in employability, for example Jobcentre Plus and Skills Development Scotland.	Quarterly	To be reviewed Jan 2015	Links into the Scottish Employability Forum (SEF) and MCMC leads.
Scottish Employability Forum - Is both a Strategic forum and stakeholder reference group	The first meeting of the reconstituted Scottish Employability Forum (SEF) took place on 31st January 2013. The intended aim of the new SEF is to provide a single Forum where all parts of Government can come together, with key stakeholders and delivery bodies, in order to address unemployment within the context of economic recovery. The newly constituted SEF is jointly chaired by Scottish, UK and local Government.	Cabinet Secretary For Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth Cllr Harry McGuigan, COSLA Cllr Douglas Chapman COSLA Colin Borland, Federation of Small Businesses Crawford Gillies, Scottish Enterprise Dr. Andrew Scott, Scottish Government Elma Murray, North Ayrshire Council Helena Craw, Working Links John McClelland CBE, Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Funding Council Laurie Russell, Social Enterprise Scotland Michelle McCrindle, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Board Member Mike Kirby, STUC Minister for Youth Employment Paul De Pellette, Ingeus Paul McKelvie OBE, Scotland Commissioner to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) Professor Alan McGregor, National Delivery Group Professor Lorne Crerar, Highlands and Islands Enterprise Richard Cornish, Job Centre Plus Rt Hon David Mundell MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland Rt Hon Michael Moore MP Tony McElroy, Tesco	Bi-annually	No	Provides strategic direction for NDG & TSEF
Third Sector Employability Forum Stakeholder forum	Third Sector Employability Forum (TSEF) works to develop the capacity of the sector in relation to both policy development and the delivery of employability services funded by the Scottish and UK Governments.	Membership is made up of various Third Sector organisations throughout Scotland	Bi-annually	No	Feeds into the Third Sector Employability Forum - Executive Group
Third Sector Employability Forum – Executive Group Strategic forum	The Executive group represents the wider TSEF on employability issues, provides support and advice, and work together with the wider forum to influence the employability agenda in Scotland and the UK.	Liz Catterson, Chair Alan Boyle, West Fife Enterprises Alastair Cameron, Claverhouse David Cameron, ENABLE Scotland Blyth Deans, the Lennox Partnership Fraser Kelly, Social Enterprise Scotland Finlay Laverty, Princes Trust Scotland Donna Mackinnon, SCVO Tommy McDade, Barnardo's John Reid, Access to Employment Robin Turner, Routes to Work Margaret Wallace, SCVO Stephen McConnachie, DWP	Quarterly	To be reviewed March 2014	Feeds into the Scottish Employability Forum (SEF) and National Delivery Group (NDG)
Energy Skills Action Group Strategic Forum	- Look at skills issues across all energy sectors - Deliver actions set out under the Skills Investment Plan (SIP)	Frank Mitchell (Chair) – Scottish Power (SP) Energy Networks Ken Robinson – Howden Group Jim Smith – SSE Renewables Sheila Duncan – SP Energy Networks Jim Brown – College Energy Partnership Barrie Sheppard – Energy Technology Partnership Niall Stuart – Scottish Renewables John MacDonald - OPITO Bryan Buchan – Scottish Engineering Bill Murray – Offshore Contractors Association Scottish Government Skills Development Scotland Scottish Funding Council	Quarterly	It is not currently time limited – although is kept under review	It reports to the Scottish Energy Advisory Board and works with relevant industry leadership groups.
National Reference Group For Data Governance Stakeholder Reference Group	Bring together local authority and other public partner representatives to develop data sharing practice’s and process’s to support youth transitions and the implementation of the information sharing duty within the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Act 2013.	Skills Development Scotland Scottish Government Local Authority representatives College representatives	Quarterly	No	Provides the strategic lead for information sharing and links with Opportunities for All Network and the MCMC Leads.
Opportunities For All Network Strategic Forum	Bring together local authority 16+ Learning choices co-ordinators & other key partners to develop good practice in post 16 transition planning	Scottish Government officials Local Authority Opportunities for All co-ordinators	Quarterly	NO	Links with the National Reference Group for Data Governance and the MCMC Leads.
MCMC Leads Strategic Forum	Bring together local authority MCMC lead officers to develop multi – agency approach to supporting youth employment	Scottish Government Officials Local Authority More Choices, More Chances Leads	Biannual	NO	Links with the National Reference Group for Data Governance, the Opportunities for All Network, and the National Delivery Group.
Trade Union Working Party On Lifelong Learning (TUWPLL) Strategic forum	- to discuss Scottish Union Learning and wider issues relating to the STUC and the Lifelong Learning Agenda -Forum to allow STUC general council to interact with ministers and senior officials from SG - Provides opportunities for discussion between STUC and SG on issues related to workplace learning	Scottish Ministers, STUC and their stakeholders	Every 2-3 months	Ongoing commitment as part of STUC memorandum of understanding
Skills Utilisation Leadership Group	- Lead public, private and third sector work on skills utilisation	Angela Constance MSP Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning Brendan Dick, BT Scotland Crawford Gillies, Scottish Enterprise Professor Ewart Keep, ESRC Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance Dr Janet Low, Scottish Funding Council/Skills Development Scotland Skills Committee Hugh McAloon, Scottish Government Raymond O'Hare, OCSolutions (O'Hare Consulting Solutions) Alex Paterson, Highlands and Islands Enterprise Willy Roe, Skills Development Scotland Martin Sime, SCVO Grahame Smith, STUC Graeme Waddell, Energen Biogas Malcolm Wright, NHS Education for Scotland Col Baird, Scottish Government Euan Dick , Scottish Government	2-3 times per year	Yes – Disbanded December 2011	N/A
Community Jobs Scotland Advisory Group Stakeholder reference group	Engage with stakeholders involved in the delivery of Community Jobs Scotland	Scottish Government SCVO Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) SDS Scottish Local Authorities Economic Development Group (SLAED)	Every 6-8 weeks	To be reviewed December 2014
Strategic Group On Women And Work Strategic Forum	Following on from the Women’s Employment Summit in September 2012, SG working closely with STUC, has drawn up an action plan based on the feedback and recommendations from the Summit. A Strategic Group on Women and Work, chaired by the Minister for Youth Employment, has been set up to advise on and monitor the progress on the implementation of the action plan.	Professor Alice Brown, Royal Society for Edinburgh Professor Sara Carter, Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship Marjorie Strachan, Royal Bank of Scotland Professor Ailsa McKay, Caledonian University Caroline Stuart, Oracle Scotland Claire Telfer, Save the Children Ann Henderson, STUC Anne Douglas, STUC General Council	Quarterly	To be reviewed March 2014	Cross Government policy links Occupational Segregation Cross Government Group
Employability Fund Reference Group	provide advice on the Outcomes and Outputs for the Employability Fund being prepared by the Working Group; identify potential implementation/communication issues that may arise and offer advice on approaches the Working Group should use to take the work forward ; and provide constructive and timely feedback to the Working Group as it continues to develop an approach to the implementation of the Employability Fund.	Linda McKay, Principal of Forth Valley College, Alan McGregor, Chair of the National Delivery Group Maureen McConnachie, ex – Local Government Economic Development Paula Evans, COSLA.	Met once on 8 October 2012	Yes
Recruitment incentives co-ordination group Is both a Strategic forum and stakeholder reference group	Engage with key partners /stakeholders involved in the delivery of Youth Employment Scotland Fund.	Scottish Government DWP SCVO SDS SLAED COSLA FSB	Every 8 weeks	No	No
Modern Apprenticeship Group Strategic forum	The remit of MAG is to approve and re-approve Modern Apprenticeship Frameworks for Scotland.	Scottish Government SDS STUC SQA Scottish Training Federation Scotland’s Colleges And an observer attends representing Sector Skills Councils	Monthly	No	No
Women’s Employment Summit - Labour Market Information Group	Short life group to provide steering arrangements for actions following the Women’s Employment Summit.	Scottish Government Close the Gap (STUC) University of Strathclyde	As necessary	Yes – End 2013	Strategic Group on Women and Work
Labour Market Information Forum	Brings together stakeholders to share information about labour market information.	Scottish Government SDS SFC SQA HIE Scottish Enterprise Job Centre Plus	Quarterly	Ongoing	N/a
Labour Market Forum	To consider and define the key information required from labour market statistics for policy and research purposes, ensuring that the burden on data providers is minimised and data collected is fit for purpose.	Scottish Government Local Authorities Job Centre Plus SDS Scottish Enterprise Third sector organisations Universities	Annually	Ongoing	N/a
University Sector Advisory Forum	To provide expert input into key strategies for the higher education sector in Scotland	Representatives from: Universities Scotland NUS (Scotland) Ancient Universities Post-1992 Universities, Small Specialist Higher Education Institutions, Charter Universities chairs of university governing bodies EIS UNISON University and College Union (UCU) Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council Scottish Government	At least once pa.	No	None
Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce	Independent Commission tasked with making recommendations to the Scottish Government on steps required to better prepare young people for work through a comprehensive range of vocational further education and training opportunities, starting in the senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence. And further, to encourage and support more employers to engage with education and with youth employment more generally.	Sir Ian Wood – retired chairman of the Wood Group (chair) Linda MacKay – retired principal Forth Valley College (vice chair) Sue Bruce – Chief executive Edinburgh City Council Michael Davis – chief executive, UK Commission for Employment & Skills Sir Willie Haughey – executive chair of City Holdings Robin Parker – former President National Union of Students Scotland Christine Pollock – retired Director of Learning and Leisure, North Lanarkshire Council Grahame Smith – General Secretary, STUC	Monthly	Yes. 2nd quarter of 2014	Consult with a number of groups and representative bodies in education.

Question reference: S4F-01628

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 07 October 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 October 2013

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the findings of the Economic and Social Research Council regarding higher education.

Question reference: S4W-17306

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 20 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 4 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government when it last reviewed sex education in schools and whether it plans to do so in the future.

Relationships, sexual health and parenthood education was reviewed when Curriculum for Excellence was introduced into schools in 2010 and there are no plans for a further review. The Scottish Government, Education Scotland and Health Scotland are currently conducting a review of resources to support relationships, sexual health and parenthood education.

We have recently published draft revised guidance for teachers on the conduct of relationships, sexual health and parenthood education to take account of the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence and the bill on same sex marriage. We are engaging with key education stakeholders on the draft guidance. This engagement exercise ends on the 8 November 2013.

Question reference: S4W-17254

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 2 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many copies of its guide to the curriculum for excellence it has produced and what the cost was, also broken down into (a) print, (b) design and (c) distribution costs.

Question reference: S4W-17256

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 2 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the involvement of parents in children’s education and how it will ensure that children from poorer backgrounds are not marginalised in the process.

Curriculum for Excellence recognises the important role that all parents and carers have in supporting children’s learning and development. We are committed to promoting parental involvement at all levels and with all parents, in line with the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006. This includes engaging with the full range of partners who work with and can support parents, from Parent Councils to third sector organisations. Education Scotland provides support and resources to help build the capacity of schools to involve their whole school community.

We are committed to improving the education system and in particular to closing the attainment gap including for children from poorer backgrounds. We recognise that working with parents is one of the ways which can help us achieve this and are engaging with the third sector and others as part of our plans to improve attainment for all.

Question reference: S4W-17253

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 2 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to begin its consultation on class sizes.

I announced in March that I was keen to explore and debate, in partnership and consultation with COSLA and other stakeholders, the extent to which our policies on class sizes and teacher numbers can play a role in delivering improved outcomes and closing the attainment gap.

Discussions with COSLA are continuing and I remain committed to consulting on class sizes and plan to issue a consultation paper very soon.

Question reference: S4W-17257

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 2 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has had with (a) Barnardo's, (b) Children in Scotland, (c) NSPCC and (d) Children 1st since 1 January 2013 and what issues were discussed in each case.

Ministers and Officials from the Education and Lifelong Learning portfolio are in regular contact with representatives from each of these organisations. The specific ministerial meetings were:

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning met with Children in Scotland in June 2013 to discuss issues relating to raising educational attainment.

The Minister for Children and Young People met with the NSPCC in May 2013 to discuss the work which the NSPCC are doing in Scotland.

The Minister for Children and Young People chairs the Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) Programme Board which is attended by Barnardo’s. They met in February, April and September to discuss issues relating to the implementation of GIRFEC. Ms Campbell also chairs the Looked after Children Strategic Implementation Group, which is attended by Children 1^st and Children in Scotland. They met in March 2013 and discussed issues relating to looked after children.

The Minister for Youth Employment met with Barnardo’s and Action for Children in May 2013 to discuss the Draft Youth Employment Strategy.

Question reference: S4W-17255

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 2 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how it raises awareness of its website, Schools-Online, to parents and at what cost.

Education Scotland hosts the Scottish Schools Online website and raises awareness of it through links from various parts of the wider Education Scotland Online Service including Parentzone and the standard page footer. There are also links to Scottish Schools Online from within the schools area on the Scottish Government site.

There is no additional cost to Education Scotland for hosting the Schools-On-Line site.