Scottish Autism Toolbox Policy Overview Robin McKendrick Support for Learning Division Schools Directorate Scottish Government May 2009
Scottish Government’s five strategic objectives
a wealthier and fairer Scotland
to be achieved by enabling businesses and people to increase their wealth and more people to share fairly in that wealth
a healthier Scotland
to be pursued by helping people to sustain and improve their health, especially in disadvantaged communities, and by ensuring better, local and faster access to health care
a safer and stronger Scotland
delivered by helping communities to flourish, becoming stronger, safer places to live, through offering improved opportunity for a better quality of life
a Smarter Scotland
achieved by expanding opportunities for Scots to succeed, from nurture through to lifelong learning, ensuring higher and more widely shared achievements, and,
a greener Scotland,
seeing improvements in Scotland's natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it by all.
National Outcomes
investing in effective services for all children to ensure every child gets off to the best start in life
having an international perspective to promote an understanding of Scotland and our place in the world and challenging our ambitions against the achievements of other countries
having high aspirations and challenging all to aim high
being egalitarian and embracing the Scottish tradition of the democratic intellect as part of our approach to learning
ensuring education and learning are at the heart of the community, supporting communities and promoting community self-reliance, focussing on the child and the learner, providing support and learning journeys that respond to individuals’ needs and potential.
Additional Support for Learning (Scotland) (Act) 2004.
The Equality Act 2006.
ASL Bill 2009
it clarifies the definition of 'additional support' by specifying that it is not limited to support provided in an educational environment.
it extends the rights of parents and young people to enable them to request a specific assessment, such as an educational, psychological or medical assessment, at any time.
C ame into effect on 1 August 2003
Duty on EAs to provide education in a school other than a special school unless such provision would:
not be suited to the ability or aptitude of the child;
be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for the children with whom the child would be educated; or
would result unreasonable public expenditure being incurred which would not ordinarily be incurred
Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000
Mainstreaming presumption is simply a presumption—it is not an inflexible rule.
The right balance must be struck between children's rights to be educated in a mainstream environment, which can bring the educational and social benefits and;
Need to respond sensitively in the cases of children who require a form of specialist provision.
Disability Discrimination Act
Unlawful to discriminate against disabled pupils and prospective pupils in the provision of:
admissions and exclusions,
education and
associated services in schools .
DDA: Education & Associated Services
Includes:
Curriculum;
Teaching;
Classroom organisation;
Grouping of pupils;
Homework;
Access to school facilities;
School trips;
Breaks and lunch;
Interaction with other pupils;
Exclusion procedures.
DDA
In particular the Act requires providers of education:
Not to treat disable pupils less favourably.
To make reasonable adjustments.
Definition of Disability
‘ physical impairment’ includes sensory impairment;
‘ mental impairment’ includes learning difficulties and an impairment resulting from or consisting of a mental illness.
Definition can include a wide range of impairments, including hidden impairments such as dyslexia, autism, speech and language impairments and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
An impairment does not of itself mean that a pupil is disabled. It is the effect on a pupil’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities that has to be considered.
Inclusion: Policy context
Early Years strategy.
Curriculum for Excellence
More Choices More Chances.
GIRFEC.
Happy Safe and Achieving Their Potential Harm:
Domestic Abuse.
Young Cares.
Looked After Children.
The Equality Act 2006: guidance for schools
Race Equality Statement
Curriculum for Excellence
Curriculum for Excellence - seeks to enable all to become:
successful learners,
confident individuals,
effective contributors, and
responsible citizens.
Overview
Inclusion
ASL/GIRGEC Interface
What is GIRFEC?
Meets the needs and promotes the well-being and potential of all children.
What is the ASL Act?
Aims to ensure that all children and young people with additional support needs receive the necessary help to ensure they benefit from school education.
ASL/GIRGEC Interface
Seek to enable all to become:
successful learners,
confident individuals,
effective contributors, and
responsible citizens.
Curriculum for Excellence -
Inclusion
ASL/GIRGEC Interface
Do the Principles of ASL and GIRFEC fit together?
GIRFEC – Principles
Meet the needs of all children in a proportionate and timely way.
ASL
Focus’ on children’s learning in the broadest sense.
Sits within the overall GIRFEC approach
Inclusion
Autism Toolkit – The origins
“ Education for Pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorders” – HMIE –
“ make school make sense - Scotland” NAS
Both published October 2006
Formation of Working Group announced.
Working Group
Consultant and service user
NAS/SSA
HMIE
Professional Services Manager/Psychological Service/Head teachers
EIS
National Centre for Autism Studies
Chair of Social and Educational Inclusion at Aberdeen University
Robin McKendrick, Support for Learning Division, Sc more
Robin McKendrick, Support for Learning Division, Schools Directorate, Scottish Government. Talking About Autism: Scottish Autism Toolbox conference. Friday 29th May 2009, Jordanhill, Glasgow. less
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