Help for kids with additional support needs is dropping like a stone

Responding to the embargoed report from Audit Scotland which warns that “The Scottish Government and councils must fundamentally rethink how they plan, fund and staff additional support for learning as part of core school education in Scotland”, Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP said:

“Stats from our schools show the number of pupils diagnosed with additional needs is at an all-time high meanwhile the level of support falls well short.

“It doesn’t take a genius to work out that this is a big problem for both pupils and teachers. It is no wonder that so many young people are disengaged, stressed and distracted.

“The SNP government need to ensure additional support for learning is adequately supported and teachers feel supported to intervene on bad behaviour.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats would prioritise the building of top-class leadership in our schools, developing support networks and career opportunities for teachers and pupil support assistants and encouraging specialist ASN training. Those are simple steps that the government could take to reverse the battering that education has taken on their watch."