CAMPAIGNERS have warned that there is a lack of specialist teachers, support staff and resources to support children and young people in schools with additional support needs (ASN).
Figures released by the Scottish Government on Tuesday showed the number of pupils with ASN, such as autism, dyslexia and mental health problems, reached a record high of 259,036 in 2023, representing 36.7% of the pupil population.
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC) said this represents a doubling in numbers over the past decade, as the 2013 figures showed 131,593 children had additional support needs.
The body called for an increase in resources to address the growing need which they say is having an impact on disruption and violence in the classroom.
There is a “lack of specialist ASN teachers, support staff and the resources needed” to support the rising number of children with additional support needs, SCSC said.
Concerns have also been raised over a declining number of pupils with complex needs receiving a co-ordinated support plan (CSP), despite reassurances from the Scottish Government that there would be no decline in the number of those receiving them.
CSPs are statutory education plans prepared by local authorities to identify and ensure the provision of services for children and young people with complex or additional support needs.
There has been a “significant fall” in the number of pupils with a co-ordinated support plan, the SCSC said, falling from 3279 in 2013 to 1318 in 2023, representing an almost 60% (59.8%) drop.
A spokesperson for the SCSC said: “While more children and young people are being identified as having ASN, this is against the increasingly challenging backdrop of a lack of specialist teachers, support staff and the resources needed to support them.
“Increased support is critical, especially post the Covid-19 pandemic and the damaging impact this has had on many of our children and young people, exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis, all of which is hitting the poorest, hardest.
“We are also concerned that despite an increase in the numbers of those with ASN, we are experiencing a decline in the use of CSPs, which are legally enforceable and designed to support those with the most complex needs.
“The Scottish Government, local authorities, health and other agencies need to work in collaboration with the private and third sectors to provide the necessary resourcing and support to address the needs of children and young people with ASN.
“They must also work together to ensure that those who are entitled to a CSP receive one.
“With those with ASN drawn disproportionately from poorer neighbourhoods, if we are to genuinely close the educational attainment gap, they must get the care and support they need when they need it.”
In Holyrood on Tuesday, Scottish Labour’s education spokeswoman, Pam Duncan-Glancy (above), accused Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth of providing a “real lack of detail” on how to support ASN pupils.
Responding, Education Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “It is worthwhile saying that we do have a record number of learning and support assistants in our schools and we have also supported that with £830 million in 2021-22.
“We have also ringfenced additional funding of £15 million every year to respond to the individual needs of children and young people and also that helps to support maintaining our record levels of investment in those areas.”
