There is no doubt that children and young people with additional support needs (ASN) are not properly supported in our schools and early years settings. UNISON believes strategies to improve this situation should not focus on one disability: all children with additional support needs should be able to access appropriate support.
Scotland does not need more targets and outcome measures. What it needs is effective action. UNISON believes that rather than new legislation and target setting there should to be a substantial investment in staff to both identify additional support needs and staff to meet those needs once they have been identified. This must include funding for staff training and their ongoing professional development. Recent revelations round health targets show that legislation by itself does not guarantee results.