Next steps for Additional Support for Learning provision: Access, funding and improving outcomes.

Activity: Participating in or organising an event typesParticipation in conference

Description

This seminar brings together policymakers and key stakeholders to discuss the next steps for Additional Support for Learning (ASL) provision in Scotland. The agenda includes discussion on best practice for identifying pupils with additional support needs and ensuring they receive appropriate support - with a contribution from Professor Sheila Riddell, Chair, Inclusion and Diversity and Director, Centre for Research in Education Inclusion and Diversity, University of Edinburgh. Delegates will discuss the way forward for tackling the key issues around resources, access to support, and the early identification and assessment of children with Additional Support Needs (ASN), as the Government prepares its response to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skill Committee report on these matters. With The Scottish Government’s preparing to finalise its draft 10-year strategy on Complex Additional Support Needs - and following recently-announced £10m package to support complex ASN - attendees will look at what more might be done to ensure that young people with complex additional support needs are being provided with support in an appropriate setting. Further sessions discuss policy priorities for improving the provision of ASL, including opportunities for supporting and expanding the workforce and reducing variation in local authorities’ approaches to ASN, as well as the relationship between ASL and the wider attainment gap. Overall, areas for discussion include: • Getting the right support: identification, assessment and accessing services; • Priorities for Scotland’s 10-year strategy for Complex Additional Support Needs; • Supporting the ASL workforce: resources, teacher numbers and professional development; • Developing a unified approach to ASL: reducing regional variations and embedding best practice; • Encouraging greater parental involvement in ASL provision; and • Next steps for developing ASL provision in Scotland. A key output of the seminar will be a transcript of the proceedings, sent out around 12 working days after the event to all attendees and a wider group of Ministers and officials in The Scottish Government; as well as Scottish Parliamentarians with a special interest in the subject. It will also be made available more widely. This document will include transcripts of all speeches and questions and answers sessions from the day, along with access to PowerPoint presentations, speakers’ biographies, an attendee list, an agenda, sponsor information, as well as any subsequent press coverage of the day and any articles or comment pieces submitted by delegates. It is made available subject to strict restrictions on public use, and is intended to provide timely information for interested parties who are unable to attend on the day.
Period24 Apr 2018
Event typeConference
LocationEdinburgh, United KingdomShow on map