Analysis of Additional Support Needs (ASN) staff numbers in schools: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Information requested
Any Scottish Government analysis carried out regarding the number of ASN support staff in Scottish schools (including any briefings produced that cover this issue, or any projections of ASN support staff number over the next few years, minutes of any meetings where this matter was discussed). I would like this information from 01 September 2019 to 01 September 2020.
Response
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under section 25(1) (information otherwise accessible) and 38(1)(b) (personal data relating to a third party) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.
Statistics on selected categories of school support staff are published annually on the Scottish Government’s website. The latest statistics, for 2019, were published in March 2020:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/school-support-staff-statistics/
The additional funding announced on 23 July 2020 to assist with education recovery and the reopening of schools included funding that could be used for support staff. However, as this funding is not specific to additional support needs support staff and is a flexible resource which can be used for support staff or additional teachers, information relating to this announcement was considered out of scope of this request.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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