Additional Support for Learning review - action plan: third progress report

Recommendation 4: Resources (Audit Scotland & Role of Grant Aided Special Schools)

0 Actions are Completed

The ASL Project board is engaging with Audit Scotland regarding audit work about children and young people with ASL needs. Audit Scotland scope for this planned work, to be conducted on behalf of the Auditor General for Scotland (regarding national government) and the Accounts Commission (regarding local government). The report will likely be considered by the Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit Committee in due course. The ASL Project Board will also consider the report in relation to its scrutiny and delivery of the ASL Action Plan.

ASL Project Board members continue to explore the opportunities that arise from the Commissioning strand of the Doran Review. Sharing the expertise of all professionals who support children and young people with complex additional support needs in specialist settings through the wider education system, is an important step towards supporting improvement in the experiences and outcomes of these children and young people. Education Scotland facilitates a National Complex Needs Network (NCNN) which focuses on medical complexity, in which all 32 local authorities and some independent establishments are members. Professional learning is a key area of focus for the NCNN and the Network is currently working with wider partners to develop professional learning resources, specifically to support tracking, moderation and assessment of learner with complex additional support needs. The Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities Professional Learning Framework provides strategic level direction and support on continued professional development on ASL.

We recognise that approaches to local commissioning can influence the experiences of children and young people with additional support needs. ASL Project Board members committed to considering how local commissioning can support enhanced support for children and young people with additional support needs, following the Doran Review considerations. Whilst work in this area continues to evolve and progress, local commissioning has developed considerably since the Doran Review, Strategic Equity Fund and Pupil Equity Fund have been in place. In addition, a greater alliance with the Third Sector has also become a key feature of local commissioning, enhancing collaboration, and consistency in provision.