Committee
Education Committee, 25 May 2005
25 May 2005 · S2 · Education Committee
Item of business
Additional Support for Learning (Code of Practice)
That is very helpful. Thank you very much.Point 2 in Lord James Douglas-Hamilton's letter deals with another concern that has been raised by the National Autistic Society. The society is concerned about whether parents or children can access multiple assessments. The position seems clear. The minister stated:"there is nothing to preclude the parent from requesting a range of multidisciplinary assessments."—Official Report, 1 April 2004; c 7358 Perhaps the issue is the use of the term "multidisciplinary assessments". In his response to Lord James, the minister mentions that the code states that"a range of assessments is required".I do not think that there is any difference of opinion about the right of parents or children to request a multidisciplinary approach. However, perhaps the issue could be clarified, because parents are reading the either/ors as alternatives rather than as additional.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
LD
The major item of business today is consideration of the Scottish Executive's draft code of practice on additional support for learning, entitled "supporting...
The Deputy Minister for Education and Young People (Euan Robson):
LD
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the draft code. I will say a few words to inform the committee on three issues: how the code fits with the Education...
The Convener:
LD
Thanks for that. It is probably appropriate for the committee to express its thanks for the extensive consultation that has taken place, which is very much i...
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
Con
I thank the minister very much for his reply to my letter, which if I understand it correctly—and I believe I do—contains a large number of concessions and i...
Euan Robson:
LD
I thank Lord James Douglas-Hamilton for sending us the important points in his letter. We were able to address a number of them, as he has kindly acknowledge...
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
Con
I thank the minister very much for his generous response.
The Convener:
LD
I have a small query on point 9 in Lord James Douglas-Hamilton's letter, which is about the validation of requests to the external independent adjudicator. T...
Euan Robson:
LD
We will not validate requests personally. I am sure that there will be a resource in the Education Department for the proper professional scrutiny of the req...
The Convener:
LD
The process sounds slightly bureaucratic. Is that not the sort of matter that you would get the adjudicator or his office to deal with?
Euan Robson:
LD
No. The process will not necessarily be particularly bureaucratic. We can ensure that the advice from officials is turned round rapidly. If this is a matter ...
The Convener:
LD
Do any other members have comments on Lord James Douglas-Hamilton's letter and the points that arise from it?
Mr Kenneth Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab):
Lab
I refer in particular to the first three points in Lord James Douglas-Hamilton's letter and the minister's response. I believe that the three points echo poi...
Fiona Hyslop:
SNP
It is.
The Convener:
LD
It has been circulated.
Mr Macintosh:
Lab
So we got it in time.On the first point, on transitional planning, Lord James Douglas-Hamilton's letter and the minister's reply refer to paragraph 8 of chap...
Euan Robson:
LD
We will amend that paragraph because we do not want to give a misleading impression. We will take that point on board. Forgive me, but I do not have the prec...
Mr Macintosh:
Lab
That is very helpful. Thank you very much.Point 2 in Lord James Douglas-Hamilton's letter deals with another concern that has been raised by the National Aut...
Euan Robson:
LD
Your point about the either/ors is well made. We will try to ensure that there is no confusion by making appropriate amendments. Paragraph 33 on page 29 stat...
Mr Macintosh:
Lab
I think that it does, minister. I have written in my notes that we should add a "for example".
Euan Robson:
LD
Yes. Essentially, we are agreed. We will check the precise form of words.
Mr Macintosh:
Lab
Point 3 in Lord James's letter is the final point from the National Autistic Society and is about home education. After reading your letter, I think that you...
Euan Robson:
LD
Yes, I think that we are saying what you have just rather eloquently summarised. I will take that specific point away and look at it in the light of the poin...
Ms Byrne:
SSP
I am delighted that you have added the words in paragraph 33 of chapter 3 that clarify the assessment situation as far as requests are concerned, but I still...
Euan Robson:
LD
It is important that parents know what assessment to ask for. In the guidance for parents that I mentioned earlier, we can incorporate an appropriate series ...
The Convener:
LD
The guidance talks about education authorities providing information, as opposed to Executive pamphlets. I presume that, if your pamphlet is good enough, edu...
Euan Robson:
LD
Yes, there would be no exclusions on the use of the leaflet; however, I would hope that education authorities would be prepared to make information available...
Ms Byrne:
SSP
Will there be advice about where parents can seek advice on the right type of assessment? If someone does not have that knowledge, where are they going to ge...
Euan Robson:
LD
I give an assurance that the guide will talk not only about the types of assessment but about how to determine those and where to go for them. It will not be...
The Convener:
LD
I presume that there would be discussion between the school, or whoever, and the parents that would lead to a mutual understanding of what was required. Is n...
Euan Robson:
LD
Yes, indeed. We would look to ensure that schools had the information readily available to inform staff and parents. I presume that the code will be availabl...