Additional Support for Learning Project Board minutes: January 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Scottish Government (SG) (Chair)
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
• Education Scotland (ES)
• Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES)
• Grant Aided Special Schools (GASS)
• UNISON
• Education Institute of Scotland (EIS)
• Children in Scotland (CiS)
• SG Early Learning and Childcare Team (SG ELC)
• National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT)
• Connect
• Association of Scottish Principal Education Psychologists (ASPEP)
• SG Supporting Learners’ Team (SG)
• Audit Scotland (Observer)

Apologies

• SOLACE
• Social Work Scotland
• ADES Early Years
• ENABLE

Items and actions

Welcome and introductions

The Chair welcomed members to the meeting of the Additional Support for Learning (ASL) Project Board (PB). Members were thanked for coming to the meeting. The Chair welcomed Connect who were attending for the first time representing parental views. Apologies were noted.

The Chair noted that one of the ES representatives would be retiring. Members thanked them for their time and work for the ASL Project Board and wished them well.

It was also noted that the current SOLACE representative and AHP representative would be moving roles, and no longer sitting on the Project Board. It was noted new representation would be sought. Members noted their thanks for their work on the Board.

Update on current ASL policy and financial position

SG introduced this item to the Board. It was noted that this session provides the Project Board with an opportunity to reflect on the current position of ASL policy, as we approach a pivotal stage towards the end of Parliament’s term in May 2026. The number of children and young people with an identified ASN continues to rise and significant challenges remain across the system. Today’s session presents the Project Board with an opportunity to consider what they currently do and how they can help address these issues.

SG updated on the £29m of additional funding that has been allocated in the draft Scottish budget. The Budget Bill is still to go through parliament, with the conclusion of the process to end on 25th February. SG and COSLA have been in discussion to consider how that resource could be best invested. It was noted that broad principles have been agreed at official level, which will be presented to COSLA leaders on the 31st January.

A joint SG and COLSA assurance board is to be established with the view to achieve longer term shared objectives. £1 million of this additional investment will be reserved for national work. SG noted that consideration was being given to directing that funding towards improving data recording, professional learning and support to statutory advice services.

ASL immediate priorities

Members were presented with a paper setting out questions to prompt discussion in relation to short term and medium term priorities. In smaller groups, Project Board members discussed the questions set out in paper 1 relating to ASL priorities.

Members noted moving forward the child’s focus must be at the forefront of work relating to the ASL Action Plan. Members discussed complexities in relation to data recording, and noted the NMF will be welcome in seeking to improve this, whilst acknowledging significant resourcing will be required to progress this work.

It was noted more consideration should be given to how work on ASL is connected to early interventions, ELC, and transitions at all levels from ELC to adulthood. Members were also keen to have more focus on attendance and exclusions in schools from an ASN perspective, noting SAGRABIS are looking at this area more broadly.

There was discussion around the challenges parents face in understanding their rights and accessing the necessary support for their child. It was noted that progression of developing a Comms strategy would help address this.

Members were thanked for their contributions.

Communications

SG introduced this item to the Board. In the ASL 3rd progress report, 3 priority areas of focus were identified moving forward. One of these areas was Communications, which has been challenging to progress. Members were to split into groups to discuss questions set out in paper 2.

Members agreed that the target audience for a comms strategy was vast, and noted that audiences could be grouped into specific needs of information. It was proposed a venn diagram could be developed to help the group the audiences, with children and young people at the centre.

It was proposed that the comms strategy could highlight 5 key messages from the ASL PB, or a key message per grouped audience. Members agreed that help from outside of the ASL PB would be required to develop this comms strategy.

Members emphasised that the focus for parents and carers should be on creating a clear and simple message to help with their concerns. Information they receive should also come from a trusted source, noting information won’t resonate if it has been cascaded through several sources.

There is also an opportunity to learn from other comms programmes that have worked well such as the Promise. Members noted it was important to continue to seek links and connections for this strategy.

Members noted the Inclusion Ambassadors could provide valuable views on what mediums work best in reaching children and young people.

It was noted that lots of communications are done by signposting to existing services. There is still a lack of knowledge for these services, more promotion of them could be done. It was also noted that school handbooks are not always updated, though a recent letter from SG and COSLA sought to address this.

Case studies highlighting effective practice in meeting the needs of children in with ASN in ELC were promoted via a national online practitioner webinar, which included parental input. They were well received by the sector however, some staff find it difficult to find time to attend events during their working day.

Members were thanked for their input. It was noted this information would be collated and shared with members to support development of a comms strategy.

Any other business

No further business was raised and the Chair brought the meeting to a close.

Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be hosted by COSLA on the 25 March as a hybrid meeting.

 

Scottish Government

January 2025