This briefing summarises the recent review of additional support for learning provision in Scotland, ‘Additional Support for Learning: A Review of System Delivery for Learners’. UNISON members in pupil support roles play an essential part in delivering ASL, and this review highlighted what those members have been saying for years – there is a growing gap between the support children with additional support needs should receive, and what’s being delivered in practice by a system that just isn’t capable of meeting the scale or complexity of need.
The review correctly identifies some of the problems with ASL delivery but misses the mark in its failure to recognise the chronic undervaluing of and underinvestment in school support staff. Crucially, the review does not call for any substantial additional funding. Without this, the Scottish Government will continue to let down the 43% of children with additional support needs, and the staff supporting them. GIRFEC won’t happen unless things are right for the staff.