A review into the provision of education services for young people with Additional Support Needs (ASN) in North Lanarkshire has been published.
This will involve a 12-point action plan to improve ASN delivery in North Lanarkshire.
The plan was agreed by councillors at a meeting of the Education and Families Committee last month.
The committee’s convener, Councillor Frank McNally, said: “This comprehensive review has outlined the steps required to transform the delivery of ASN education across our area.
“I welcome the work undertaken and am pleased that members of the committee have unanimously agreed to implement all 12 recommendations.”
The actions are covered in three key areas: Improving practice in managing additional support needs, empowering staff to meet needs effectively and management of resources in the future.
There are currently 8,000 young people in the area registered with additional support needs.
Most of these young people are educated within mainstream schools, however over 1,000 pupils attend one of the council’s 13 ASN schools.
The review involved consultation with teachers, trade union representatives, parents, young people and other groups involved in supporting ASN pupils.
Feedback from parents showed that while many were positive about the support their children received there were a number who felt that support, systems and curricular provision, could be improved.
Cllr Bob Burrows, convener of the ASN Working Group, added: “I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this comprehensive and detailed review.
“We are determined to ensure that our young people are fully supported by our highly-skilled and inspirational staff and the report is crucial in outlining how we will achieve this.
“I’m certain that the outcome of this review will ensure more effective support for pupils success in the future.”
