Scottish children with additional support needs may not get the support they need
New figures published by the Scottish Government show a worsening of the ratio of specialist teachers for children with additional support needs (ASN).
Figures from the school staff census highlight that despite a 55.5 per cent increase between 2012 and 2017 in the number of pupils identified as having ASN, from 118,034 to 183,491. The number of specialist support staff for those with ASN has risen by only 6 per cent, from 12,992 in 2012 to 13,761 in 2017.
Care experienced children are automatically deemed to have additional support needs, unless otherwise assessed.
The ratio of specialist support staff for those with ASN has risen from one in nine in 2012 to one in thirteen in 2017, and the number of ASN teachers fell by 12.6%.
The Scottish Children's Services Coalition (SCSC) is calling on the Scottish Government to work with local authorities to provide the necessary resourcing to support those with ASN to help close the educational attainment gap and tackle social exclusion.