New support offered to children with special needs

Children with special needs and their families are set to
benefit from a new integrated approach to support services and
assessment of their needs following an announcement by Cathy
Jamieson, minister for education and young people.

The announcement is the Scottish executive’s formal
response to a national consultation – ‘Assessing our Children’s
Educational Needs – the Way Forward’ – which drew together
the views of parents and support groups last year.

Jamieson said: “All children deserve the same educational
opportunities and all children deserve access to learning support
if they need it. I believe our proposals form the basis for
significant long-term improvements across Scotland for children
with additional support needs.”

Additional support services provided by social work and other
agencies will be introduced for children with behavioural
difficulties, but will also be available for travellers’
children and children for whom English is a second language such as
those from asylum seeker or refugee families. Parents will have
extended and strengthened powers of appeal against decisions made
about their children’s welfare.

The executive is to carry out a series of consultations
throughout Scotland prior to implementation.

 

 

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