British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 - recommendations: SG response

9. Access to BSL training

9.1 Recommendation 17/paragraph 93

The Committee recognises that whilst online learning of BSL is better than nothing, it is not ideal for the reasons set out above. We therefore invite the Scottish Government to respond to suggestions that a BSL tutor course is developed for the whole of Scotland (including through online learning where appropriate).

9.1.1 Decision

Consider further

9.1.2 Scottish Government Response

We recognise the requirement for improved access to BSL training. We note the difficulties that some Education Authorities have with employing BSL tutors to support children and young people in their council area due to shortages in the BSL tutor workforce. We also recognise the importance for family and friends to learn BSL alongside a Deaf or Deafblind person.

The Scottish Government will consider the Committee’s proposal to develop a new course and engage with existing providers of BSL training to scope out the remit and scale of a new national provision. In doing so we will commit to carry out a review of courses and services on offer and the barriers that exist to accessing them.

9.2 Recommendation 18/paragraph 94

In respect of amendments to the Education (Scotland) Bill made at a late stage, the Committee invites the Scottish Government to consider what further steps can be taken to ensure that the inclusion and promotion of BSL is included at the earliest stage of the policy development process.

9.2.1 Decision

Accept

9.2.2 Scottish Government Response

The Scottish Government adopts a mainstreaming approach to BSL to ensure it receives a cross-portfolio reach. As set out in the 2025/26 Programme for Government, in December 2025 we will publish a new Mainstreaming Strategy which will support Scottish Government, and the wider public sector, to focus on mainstreaming equality and human rights. We recognise that although a Strategy provides direction, it does not achieve change on its own. Therefore, to support this Strategy we have launched a key resource; an online Toolkit, which contains guidance, advice and best practice examples to support the public sector to mainstream equality and human rights.

The Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy, Action Plan and Toolkit will reinforce the importance of Equality Impact Assessments (EQIAs) as a key driver of change. By promoting early and meaningful use of EQIAs, we aim to ensure that equality and human rights - including the inclusion of BSL - are systematically considered across all areas of government policy and practice.

We are funding Communication Inclusion People and Disability Equality Scotland to develop an Inclusive Communication Toolkit. This toolkit is designed to provide structured, practical support to public bodies, helping them mainstream inclusive communication and meet the general equality duty.

The toolkit is being co-produced with people who communicate in diverse ways, public bodies and other expert organisations. The toolkit itself aims to be fully inclusive by using inclusive language and will have BSL, captions and voiceover embedded in all videos. It will be rolled out in early 2026.

9.3 Recommendation 19/paragraph 95

We welcome the DFM’s agreement on the importance of Deaf children learning BSL at a young age and agree that sufficient numbers of suitably trained teachers are necessary to achieve this. We therefore await the findings of the recent consultation on competences of teachers of sensory impaired pupils with interest and look forward to considering them further, along with the Scottish Government’s intended next steps, in evidence with the DFM in due course.

9.3.1 Decision

Accept

9.3.2 Scottish Government Response

The consultation on revisions to the guidance on appropriate qualifications and teacher competencies for teachers of children and young people who are blind or partially sighted, D/deaf, or D/deafblind included recommendations on BSL skill levels that Teachers of Deaf children and young people should attain to effectively support learners who are Deaf.

Once a full analysis of consultation responses has been completed, we will publish this and consider next steps.

9.4 Recommendation 20/paragraph 96

In respect of feedback from Deafblind stakeholders that there is a lack of parity of esteem for tactile BSL, the Committee welcome the DFM’s recognition that the Act was intended to improve the lives of all BSL users in Scotland, including those who use tactile BSL, and invites the Scottish Government to consider what further actions are needed to ensure such a parity of esteem.

9.4.1 Decision

Accept

9.4.2 Scottish Government Response

We have set out some of the steps we are taking to ensure equal consideration is given to tactile BSL in our response to recommendation 38. We will continue to engage with the BSL National Plan Implementation Advisory Group, including Deafblind Scotland, as well as the Deafblind community, to strengthen actions within the BSL National Plan 2023-29 for Deafblind BSL users.