British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 - recommendations: SG response
Sets out a range of government actions in response to recommendations made by the Equalities, Human Rights, and Civil Justice report into the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015, the BSL National Plan 2023-2029, and BSL Local Plans by listed authorities.
5. Education and Access to Work
The BSL National Plan 2023-29 has children, young people and their families as one of its priority areas. The plan contains actions that tackle barriers for Deaf and Deafblind children to ensure they have the support they need at all stages of their learning, so that they can reach their full potential.
5.1 Recommendation 10/paragraph 69
The Committee agrees on the importance of Deaf BSL users with lived experience being qualified to teach BSL-using pupils. We further agree that investment will be necessary to achieve this and invite the Scottish Government to consider what actions could be taken to help increase the numbers of Deaf BSL users being qualified to perform such roles.
5.1.1 Decision
Partially accept
5.1.2 Scottish Government Response
We remain committed to tackling barriers and developing practical and viable support that Deaf people, making effective use of BSL, to become registered teachers.
BSL users can already become registered teachers. Currently 46 active Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses exist. Support is provided on a case-by-case basis for ITE students using BSL
We are committed to engaging with key professionals (General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS, Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course providers / Deans of Education, local authorities (LAs), Education Scotland) and lived experience stakeholders such as the BSL National Plan Implementation Advisory Group and Scottish Sensory Centre (and, if possible, teachers/learners) to review current challenges, support and guidance with a view to developing new/enhanced best practice guidance (for viable support).