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

Recommendation 5: Workforce Development and Support (Teacher Education and Development & Pupil Support Assistants)

11 Actions are Completed

The ASL Project Board believes that the values of inclusion and inclusive practice should be a core part of every teacher and practitioner’s role. At the time of the Bute House Agreement, the Scottish Government committed to working with COSLA and partners to explore the development of an accredited qualification and registration programme for pupil support staff. ASL Project Board members have been actively engaging in this work, and the Scottish Government has established a working group to explore and consider possible options. To help improve equitable access to appropriate professional learning and information across Scotland, in 2021 the Pupil Support Staff Professional Learning Framework was developed and published by Education Scotland. This has formed part of the ongoing national work led by the Scottish Government to support Pupil Support Staff which includes the Pupil Support Staff Engagement Programme. This Framework is being refreshed to link with the Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities Professional Learning Framework. The Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities Professional Learning Framework and Pupil Support Staff Professional Learning Framework, currently provide a national provision for all educators and can be used and adapted for context by ITE universities, local authorities and ELC establishments.

We have the right foundations in place to support our priorities on professional learning opportunities. The GTCS refreshed their Professional Standards for Full Registration in 2021 to include a reference to additional support needs throughout, and they now make specific reference to autism, dyslexia and other neurodevelopmental needs. Guidance to support professionals in adopting and implementing these standards, is also in place and the Framework for Inclusion: National Framework for Inclusion (gtcs.org.uk), was also revised to reflect the refreshed GTCS professional standards.

The ASL Project Board continue to consider what additional professional learning opportunities can be offered to our teaching profession. ASL Project Board members acknowledge that there is more than one approach to addressing the issue of staff training and have remained committed to exploring options regarding initial teacher education, as well as taking further steps to improve the support available for teachers in other areas. ASL Project Board members are in the process of planning a mapping exercise to determine what professional learning is currently available across Scotland at a national, local, and school level. The Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities Professional Learning Framework, developed by Education Scotland in partnership with others, will be a key driver for supporting this work, and for exploring further options going forward. This Framework will continue to evolve by responding to feedback from teachers and practitioners, in addition to the changing education landscape.

For those working in an Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) setting, additional support needs have now been introduced as a standalone unit for the SQA’s Next Generation Higher National (HN) Childhood Practice Award pilot. This pilot will continue across 2024/25 and the ASL Project Board will be monitoring its progress and impact to inform its next steps in this area. The pilot is complemented by new ELC signposting tools that have been developed to highlight key support, learning and resources relating to ASL, and children’s speech, language, and communication development. In addition, there will be investment in a new programme of work to support early intervention in speech and language for children and their families over the next two-years. The Programme supports early intervention in speech and language for children and their families and builds confidence and capacity for those staff working in early learning and education settings. It also offers an opportunity to join up this area of expertise with other key public services, including health visiting.

The Scottish Government have recruited 6 FTE Early Language and Communication Leads, in collaboration with Education Scotland. These posts focus on facilitating and supporting multi-disciplinary collaboration across areas such as education, health and family support to improve outcomes for children and young people from pre-birth to starting primary school. They are developing national resources for speech, language, and communication development in young children, explore what is working well, identify gaps and share information and expertise. The Scottish Government are also funding two pilot projects with the Scottish Book Trust which aim to encourage ELC settings to build upon their language environments through an additional focus on reading and sharing stories. These focus on enhancing the literary experiences of young children in ELC settings and we continue to support young children’s speech and language development through our investment in universal national programmes such as Play Talk Read and Bookbug. Both programmes support children’s language, learning and social skills through the provision of play, talking and singing. ASL Project Board members will monitor the progress and impact of this investment to inform their next steps in addressing the needs of children and young people with speech, language and communication needs through Professional Learning and Development.