New ASL classes agreed at meeting of Cabinet

In line with national trends, there has been a significant increase in the number of children and young people identified as having Additional Support Needs in East Ayrshire, and a corresponding increase in diversity and complexity of needs. This increase is attributed to greater awareness, earlier diagnosis and broader definitions of need, and also reflects the experience of every local authority in Scotland. 43% of all learners in Scotland receive additional support for learning, which is an eightfold increase since 2004.

A full review was therefore necessary to assess how well current provision was meeting the needs of our learners, to ensure equity and to identify areas that required development in line with local and national priorities.

The update presented to Cabinet included recommendations designed to support the long-term sustainability of ASN provision. It was agreed that new Additional Support for Learning (ASL) classes would be established at Nether Robertland Primary, Netherthird Primary and Newmilns Primary in advance of formal consultation for any future establishment as permanent ASL Centres, in response to growing need and also to meet the aim of developing locality-based models.

This means that children and young people can learn in their own communities rather than travelling significant distances to access the appropriate support required. This model also has a positive impact on families - accessing learning in your own community removes the additional stress and logistical challenges of coordinating transport, attending meetings and maintaining regular contact with a child's school.

In addition to the new ASL classes, Cabinet also agreed that Grange Hearing Impairment Department should be renamed Grange Academy Deaf Education Centre, recognising that 'Hearing Impairment' is not terminology accepted or used by many deaf and hard of hearing people.

Councillor Elaine Cowan, Spokesperson for Education, and Children and Young People said: “There are seven Education Groups in East Ayrshire, based on the secondary school catchment areas, and the review highlighted that not all education groups had dedicated ASL centres across both the primary and secondary sectors. This has had a significant impact on children and young people and Cabinet recognises that it is important that children have access to local ASL centres to reduce travelling time, which can be very unsettling for children and young people with Additional Support Needs, and have an opportunity to build relationships within their own communities.

"Cabinet also agreed to redesign the central East Ayrshire Support Team, which was established in 2010 when only 14% of the school population were identified as having Additional Support Needs. With the most recent figures confirming that 43% of learners nationally are now identified to require additional support for learning, while assessed needs have become more complex, often requiring more enhanced support, it was the right time to look at the EAST team and make appropriate changes.

“The new agreed model removes a centralised approach to determining assessment and interventions and gives Head Teachers the autonomy to direct staff to meet the assessed additional support needs of learners within their establishment.

“The decisions taken by Cabinet, which were fully informed by the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, will have a positive impact on children and young people, their families and Education Services."