Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government are not currently able to offer support in the funding of adult Dyslexia assessments. Dyslexia is covered by the Equality Act 2010 and, as such, employers have a legal duty to ensure employees are not discriminated against. Employers must make reasonable adjustments to the workplace to enable the member of staff to carry out their role to a satisfactory standard.

There is no requirement to have had a diagnostic assessment in order for reasonable adjustments to be put in place in the workplace.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33237 on 10 December 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Dyslexia can be recognised as a disability within the scope of the Equality Act 2010, where the impact is substantial and long-term. Where this is the case, employers have a legal duty to make “reasonable adjustments” to help individuals with dyslexia.

Access to Work is a UK Government scheme which helps to fund additional support not covered by reasonable adjustments within the workplace. The Scottish Government continues to press for devolution of this programme, however it remains reserved to Westminster at present. Whilst Access to Work does not fund Dyslexia assessments, The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have advised that a formal assessment of dyslexia is not required in order for dyslexic people to receive support through Access to Work to enable them to enter and sustain employment. However, if customers do have an assessment that provides information to help with identifying what support they need, this should be accepted and reviewed by Access to Work advisers.

As part of a commitment in A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People: Employment Action Plan, we have established a Public Social Partnership involving employers, government and disabled people’s organisations to develop, test and implement solutions to the barriers employers face in hiring and retaining disabled people.

Scottish Government also continues to work with Dyslexia Scotland on employment policy which impacts upon Dyslexic people. This includes involvement in the Scottish Access to Work Stakeholder Forum. Part of the funding the Scottish Government provides to Dyslexia Scotland also enables the organisation to support adults with dyslexia, including the Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit.

I outlined in the answer to question S5W-33085 on 25 November 2020 that decisions on whether to prescribe vitamin D for people in care homes are made on an individual basis taking account of residents’ needs and any contraindications with other medication that care home residents are taking. Where individuals are likely to benefit, it is recommended vitamin D should be prescribed.

The Scottish Government will work with stakeholders including NHS Boards, professional bodies and care home providers along with the UK Government and devolved administrations to consider and review emerging evidence for care home residents and guidance will be developed as appropriate.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The Scottish Government is guided by the consensus of scientific evidence as presented to all UK nations by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN).

We note the study in France. SACN and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published the outcome of reviews on vitamin D and COVID-19 in June this year. Both found no compelling evidence to suggest vitamin D can improve COVID-19 outcomes, or that vitamin D supplementation can prevent acute respiratory tract infection in the general UK population. SACN’s statement is at:

https://app.box.com/s/g0ldpth1upfd7fw763ew3aqa3c0pyvky

The summary of NICE’s review is at:

https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/es28/chapter/Key-messages

We will continue to be guided by SACN as the evidence base on vitamin D develops.

Current advice for all age groups on the use on vitamin D is available at: www.gov.scot/publications/vitamin-d-advice-for-all-age-groups .

The Scottish Government will work with stakeholders along with the UK Government and devolved administrations to consider and review emerging evidence for care home residents but decisions on whether to prescribe vitamin D for people in care homes are made on an individual basis. Clinical advice has been sought and we have asked the Clinical and Professional Advisory Group for Care Homes to consider this matter. Guidance will be developed and issued to care homes as appropriate.

Information on the number of doses of vitamin D supplements held by the NHS is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. It may be available upon request from individual health boards.

As Universal Credit remains a reserved benefit, The Scottish Government does not produce or hold this management information and your request should be directed towards the UK Government.

People who have been diagnosed with dyslexia and require support to return to work may be eligible for Fair Start Scotland.

Fair Start Scotland is the first fully devolved national employment support service and supports those further removed from the labour market. The service provides flexible support to individuals, taking into account personal circumstances and removing barriers to accessing work. The most recent statistics published show that large numbers of people with health and learning related barriers have already been supported, with over 24,000 people participating in the service and over 7,000 people moving into work.

The Scottish Government publishes quarterly statistics on Fair Start Scotland. The most recent publication can be found at the link below.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-devolved-employment-services-statistical-summary-7/

Each year, Skills Development Scotland publishes an annual progress report for the Apprenticeship Equality Action Plan detailing the actions it has taken to ensure that individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, including individuals with dyslexia, can access work-based learning opportunities such as Apprenticeships and achieve equitable outcomes.

This year’s report was published on 9 November 2020 and highlights the work undertaken in 2019-2020, to help individuals access Scotland’s Apprenticeship Family of offerings and to support employers develop inclusive approaches to recruitment. It also summarises Skills Development Scotland’s planned activity for 2020-21 and can be viewed at: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/47244/equality-action-plan-2020.pdf.

At present, a national assessment of the impact of undiagnosed dyslexia has not been undertaken. However, we continue to work with Dyslexia Scotland on different aspects of Disability Employment Policy, including involvement in the Scottish Access to Work Stakeholder Forum.

Dyslexia Scotland receive funding through The Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention & Adult Learning and Empowering Communities (CYPFEI & ALEC) fund, as well as further funding of £200,000 p.a from the Support and Wellbeing Unit in Scottish Government to provide information, advice and support to people with dyslexia and those who support them.