Jenny Gilruth
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“I thank Pam Gosal for bringing this debate to Parliament and for sponsoring the recent round-table discussion on the topic, which I was pleased to attend, along with colleagues from across the Parliament. There is now a growing consensus on the issue.”
“Back in 2024, the Government published updated national guidance in which I was clear that any headteacher would have my full backing as Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills should they see fit to implement a ban, but that decision was ultimately left to headteachers’ discretion.”
“As a result of Parliament’s close scrutiny, I believe that we have produced a stronger bill that is consistent with the initial intentions behind it.”
“I thank Daniel Johnson for his commitment in bringing forward the legislation on restraint and seclusion that is before us today. I applaud his approach to working with the Government and I encourage more such good behaviour in the coming parliamentary session.”
“The Education, Children and Young People Committee’s stage 1 report and members’ speeches in the stage 1 debate highlighted clear support for the bill’s general principles.”
“That principle, which underpinned the national guidance that was issued in 2024, remains central today. The Scottish Government’s original intention was to conclude the review of our 2024 guidance before determining whether legislation was required.”
The complete record
Every one of 653 lines we hold for Jenny Gilruth, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 12 of 14.
“I accept that £29 million is not enough, but it is supplemented by the extra £1 billion of investment that has been put in place across the past year by central Government. One of the interesting points from the Audit Scotland report was about the transparency of spend in detail. I think that that point was raised by Stephen Kerr, and I will come on to talk about it in due course, as I want to engage with him specifically on it. There is significant investment coming from central Government to fund additional support needs, so I welcome that report and the need for transparency around the spend and how it is being used at a local level. That has been a key theme of today’s debate. Alexander Stewart also talked about positive destinations.”
“In recent years, we have seen the number of children and young people with a reported additional support needs rise significantly, to 40 per cent of Scotland’s pupils. Mr Stewart opened the debate by discussing SNP failures. I must gently correct his motion, which refers to a figure of 26.6 per cent, which I think dates from 2017. I accept that this presents a challenge across our education system. We have discussed the matter at length in the chamber and also at Mr Ross’s committee recently. I was not aware that I would be called back on that issue, but I look forward to going back to the committee to talk to it in more detail. Mr Stewart is absolutely right to talk about the increase in ASN and the need for additional funding. I spoke about the additional funding from Government, and I heard Mr Ross’s challenge.”
“I thank Mr Stewart for leading this afternoon’s debate on an incredibly important issue in Scotland’s schools. It has been lively at times and passionate, as it should be, but there continues to be a collective ambition across the chamber in relation to our vision for getting it right for Scotland’s children and young people. Towards the end of the debate, I found myself agreeing with contributions more often than not. There is a political consensus in this space that I will come on to talk to. As we are all aware, Scotland’s inclusive approach to additional support for learning is enshrined in the 2004 act, and it has broad support. As we have heard during the debate, we all accept that the landscape has changed dramatically since the act was introduced.”
“Will the member give way? Alexander Stewart: Yes. Jenny Gilruth: I am listening intently to Mr Stewart’s contribution. Can he explain why his party voted against the additional £29 million that was in the Scottish Government’s budget to support additional support needs in our schools? Alexander Stewart: The complete budget, including other aspects, was not good for Scotland. In any case, how can £29 million support 32 local authorities? It is a drop in the ocean when it comes to support for those individuals.”
“Jenny Gilruth: The legislative changes proposed in the consultation will strengthen the rights of children and young people in Scotland; I think that that is what the member is alluding to, and I am very supportive of it. The changes also build on our commitment under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The existing guidance, which the member also alluded to, encourages schools to discuss with both parents and children the question of opting out of religious observance. As the member will understand, the consultation analysis has not yet been published. However, I am more than happy to write to her about the timescales associated with the consultation in due course, when I have received that advice from my officials.”
“In an increasingly secular and religiously diverse country, it is critically important that young people of all faiths and none have their beliefs and choices respected in school. Parents have always had the right to opt their children out of religious observance, and all state schools are legally required to provide that opt-out to parents; however, pupils have no equivalent right, no matter their age, maturity or personal beliefs. Can the cabinet secretary provide clarity on the timeframes for when we might get the information that she mentions in her answer? Is it her view that we should conform to the UN committee’s recommendations?”
“As the First Minister noted in the chamber last week, we have consulted a wide range of stakeholders on changes to legislation on religious observance and religious and moral education in schools. The public consultation closed on 26 January. We recognise that there is a wide range of views on the topic, and ministers will continue to discuss those issues with Parliament and other interested parties. We will consider all responses to the consultation and publish a consultation analysis report in due course, as well as outlining next planned steps. Carol Mochan: The 2022 census found that more than 60 per cent of school-age children in Scotland now identify as non-religious.”
“In response to the member, I have made it very clear that the distribution methodology that we use for our funding to local government will take into account the issues that he has raised. I recognise that the issue is particularly pertinent to the City of Edinburgh Council, because of the number of pupils in the area who attend private school. I hope that the member will take some comfort from my response today. I apologise that I am not able to give him the granular detail that he asked for originally, but that is because of the decisions that have been taken by the”
“In a response to me, the cabinet secretary has said that, already, 79 pupils from the independent sector have enrolled in the state sector. Moreover, in response to the Education, Children and Young People Committee, she gave the detail that around 40 per cent of all pupils who attend independent schools in Scotland are in Edinburgh. If we finally get clarification from the UK Government on Barnett consequentials, will she commit to allocating 40 per cent of that funding to the City of Edinburgh Council, which is the council that will be most impacted? Jenny Gilruth: I thank the member for his interest in the matter, which we discussed recently at a meeting of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. I also responded yesterday to the member’s parliamentary written question, giving the detail that he has alluded to.”
“The Barnett formula does not entitle the Scottish Government to consequentials that are raised under reserved powers. Block grant changes are calculated with reference to the UK Government spend in devolved areas. The UK Government had previously indicated the VAT revenue would be ring fenced and applied to the Department of Education budget to increase teacher numbers in England. His Majesty’s Treasury has now advised that there will be no ring fencing of that revenue. Although the autumn budget contained additional funding for the Department for Education, which led to Barnett consequentials, I am not able to confirm the proportion that was funded by VAT on school fees. Miles Briggs: This issue is becoming a growing concern in Edinburgh in particular.”
“As I alluded to in my initial response, in the coming weeks we will provide an update to the action plan that I published in August, and it will address consequences. I think that that will give Sharon Dowey greater clarity on consequences. However, I am happy to meet her on the issue, because the challenge that she and I heard about at the summit was very real. It is important that the Government and local government respond accordingly to that challenge. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I apologise to those who are seeking to ask supplementaries on that question—we do not have time. Employer NICs (Early Learning and Childcare) 8.”
“Jenny Gilruth: I thank Sharon Dowey for her question. She and I attended the same summit and heard the same stories, and I very much recognise the challenge. I absolutely agree with her that our schools should be places of learning. Most schools are places of learning, every single day, but I accept that there are challenges in some of our schools and classrooms. We need to respond to that challenge as a Government, but also at local level. Sharon Dowey’s point relates to consequences. I want to put on the record that our existing policy framework, including our national policy on exclusion, does not prevent the use of consequences. However, we have heard consistently, including at the summit that she and I both attended, that that is not necessarily people’s experience on the ground.”
“Sharon Dowey: Although violence in schools is rising, the Scottish National Party has left teachers, parents and the police feeling powerless to help young victims, whereas violent pupils feel safe in the knowledge that they are unlikely to face significant consequences. At a recent summit on youth violence, young people who were victims told us that they felt forgotten. They had to change classes, restrict their movements and change their subject choices, while the perpetrators faced no consequences for their actions. Schools should be places of learning, not places of living in fear. What specific actions has the Scottish Government taken since that summit to improve the safety of our youngsters in schools and to give teachers the power that they need to remove those who are causing disruption?”
“Violence towards pupils or school staff is completely unacceptable. We published our joint action plan with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities last August. The plan sets out 20 actions to be taken by 2027, including a number of actions to reduce violence in our schools. We have published new guidance on gender- based violence, updated our mobile phone guidance and our anti-bullying guidance, and provided extra funding to help support the training of support staff, who often deal with the most challenging behaviour in our schools. We committed to report annually on progress of delivery against the plan. The first progress report will be published in the coming weeks.”
“As part of our work through the ASL action plan, we are also developing for children, young people, parents and carers a national professional learning resource and accessible information and guidance on”
“Arrangements for a CSP need to be put in place to enable the crucial individual support and interventions to be planned in a co-ordinated way, where we have multiple agencies working together to support a child or young person. Members will be aware that the Education, Children and Young People Committee carried out an inquiry into additional support for learning last year. In response, I committed to including in the refreshed additional support for learning code of practice further clarity on the relationships between the CSP and other plans within a staged intervention model. That is hugely important in relation to communication with parents and carers.”
“However, casework that is coming through my office indicates that many parents and carers in Motherwell and Wishaw are not aware of co- ordinated support plans. They are being offered a personal plan, an education plan or a getting it right for every child plan—any plan that does not have the statutory underpinning of a co-ordinated support plan. Will the cabinet secretary outline the importance of the local authority making CSP arrangements a priority for children and young people with additional support needs in my constituency? How can parents address the issue? Jenny Gilruth: Our education authorities have a legal duty to have arrangements in place to identify children and young people with additional support needs who require a co-ordinated support plan.”
“Local authorities oversee the delivery of education and have a statutory duty to identify, provide for and review their support for pupils with additional support needs. Spending on additional support for learning by local authorities reached a record high of more than £1 billion in 2023-24. In addition, the 2025-26 budget sets out a further £29 million of additional investment for ASN. Funding from that will go to councils across Scotland, including North Lanarkshire Council, and it will support local and national programmes that are focused on recruitment and retention in the ASN workforce. Clare Adamson: I thank the cabinet secretary for her answer and for underlining that the onus is on the local authority to identify the pupils.”
“That will include information on the value of adopting the agreed Scottish working definition of dyslexia, the dyslexia identification pathway within the toolkit, the free professional learning modules that are available for teachers to enhance their knowledge and skills and the professional recognition programme on dyslexia and inclusive practice. I would be happy to keep members and the cross- party group informed of the progress in that area.”
“On that note, will the cabinet secretary consider convening or being part of a round-table discussion including Dyslexia Scotland, Education Scotland, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland and any other relevant stakeholders to agree on a framework solution to support dyslexic children better in our education system? Jenny Gilruth: I very much recognise that more work needs to be done to ensure that consistent, appropriate and timely support is in place for our children and young people with dyslexia across Scotland. Following my meeting with Dyslexia Scotland in January, I discussed the matter with COSLA, and I have agreed to issue a joint letter to all education authorities on best practice for supporting children and young people.”
“As part of our partnership approach to improve the educational experience of children and young people with dyslexia, we work closely with Dyslexia Scotland and Education Scotland to support their work with local authorities and schools. The Scottish Government provides grant funding of £200,000 a year to Dyslexia Scotland to deliver work that has a positive and enabling impact on educational provision for children with dyslexia and those who support them. Fulton MacGregor: I recently joined the cross- party group on dyslexia, and I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work that it does. I have also had some positive discussions with Paul McNeill, who is an ambassador for Dyslexia Scotland, about the need for further supports for children in schools.”
“At the end of last year, I visited Roseburn primary school to see how enhanced support for learners with dyslexia from teachers and pupil support staff with the right skills and knowledge has made a huge difference in ensuring that children and young people with dyslexia are supported appropriately. We are currently exploring options to strengthen the existing opportunities for our education staff to take part in professional development on additional support for learning, including on dyslexia. We have also committed to undertaking an analysis of the learning hours that are attributed to additional support for learning content in our initial teacher education programmes across Scotland. Dyslexia Support (Pupils) 7.”
“Rona Mackay: Investment and meaningful support for dyslexic individuals and young people with additional support needs are fundamental to getting it right for every child, which is an important commitment made by this Government. However, too many dyslexic children are slipping through the net. That has been highlighted in a report that was published by Dyslexia Scotland in collaboration with the University of Glasgow. Can the minister confirm whether the recommendations in that report will be considered? Jenny Gilruth: I agree that the findings in the recent report are concerning, and we agree that those with dyslexia should be supported in educational and professional settings.”
“We are committed to improving the experiences of children and young people with dyslexia. The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 places duties on education authorities to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils. Our national approach to dyslexia focuses on early identification. We are working with Dyslexia Scotland and local government to continue to improve the frequency and consistency of early identification through the use of the addressing dyslexia toolkit and the dyslexia identification pathway. The 2025-26 budget also sets out an additional £29 million of investment for ASN, which I hope will be welcomed by members.”
“I recognise the challenge. I invite the member to interrogate the updated guidance that was published seven months ago. A range of schools across Scotland already have a full-scale ban, but some headteachers argue that a more nuanced approach is more suitable for their school. Fundamentally, my position as cabinet secretary is that I trust Scotland’s headteachers to get it right for the children whom we entrust to their care every day. If Ms Gosal has a specific concern in relation to the updated guidance that we published in August, I would be more than happy to correspond with her or to meet her on that point. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will need briefer questions but also briefer responses, cabinet secretary.”
“Ms Gosal, it was quite clear that I had asked you to come to your question. You were well over the time limit for questions. I had called the cabinet secretary to speak. At that point, I would be grateful if you resumed your seat. Cabinet secretary, please continue. Jenny Gilruth: Thank you, Presiding Officer. It is because, as cabinet secretary, I have listened to parents and carers and teachers that we updated our mobile phone guidance in August last year, only seven months ago. In that updated guidance, I have gone as far as I am able to towards a full- scale ban. I remind the member that the Scottish Government cannot unilaterally ban mobile phones. Scottish ministers do not have the power to do that. I hear the passion from Ms Gosal on the subject of the use of mobile phones in schools. I had to contend with it myself as a teacher.”
“Parents do not get to choose what school their children go to and what policy is in place on mobile phones. I have stood here many times asking the Scottish Government why it is unwilling to act on that, why it refuses to listen to the voices of the many concerned parents and why it seems content to fail Scotland’s pupils— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Your question, Ms Gosal. Pam Gosal: I will once again ask the cabinet secretary if she will listen to reason and ban the use of mobile phones in schools— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Cabinet secretary. Pam Gosal: —and make sure that schools— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Cabinet secretary. Pam Gosal: —have single-sex toilets. Jenny Gilruth: As cabinet secretary— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Hold on, cabinet secretary.”
“The Scottish Government published updated mobile phone guidance in August. The guidance empowers headteachers to take the steps that they see fit to limit the use of mobile phones in their schools. That includes implementing full bans if they feel that that is required. A number of schools have updated or are reviewing their policies in the light of the national guidance, which has now been in place for seven months. Pam Gosal: I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. Parents from my area of Bearsden have reached out to say that current guidance on the use of mobile phones does not go far enough, as phones can be used to distribute harmful content and distract pupils during class time. Even more shockingly, a teacher that I spoke to said that phones were used to film female pupils using unisex toilets.”
“The questionnaire was sent to 130,000 children, some as young as 14 years old, and they were asked highly intrusive and inappropriate questions, including to detail their sexual experiences. Most parents were not even aware of what their children were being asked. The letter sent out to parents, informing them of the survey, did not explain about the detailed questions on sexual history, mental health and other sensitive topics. As the SNP adopted an opt-out model for parents and pupils, many children were exposed to that inappropriate questionnaire without the active consent of their parents. Cabinet secretary, do you think that it is ever okay to ask a 14-year-old questions about their sexual history without the consent of their parents?”
“The Scottish Government is not collecting health and wellbeing census data from local authorities. That data was gathered once, between October 2021 and June 2022. Any survey or questionnaire collecting personal data must comply with the key principles set out in data protection legislation, which include the principles of fairness, lawfulness and transparency. Local authorities were provided with guidance and materials to produce privacy notices to fully explain the purpose of the survey and how the data would be used. Local authorities were responsible for the distribution of the privacy notices to parents and carers in advance of the survey. The Scottish Government therefore does not hold that data. Meghan Gallacher: Three years ago, the Scottish National Party was embroiled in scandal over the shameful school sex survey.”
“I was struck that its briefing said: “the poverty-related educational attainment gap is already well established before a child starts school ... we need to do more to make sure children from poorer backgrounds are not behind from day one.” I welcome Save the Children’s intervention and the support that it has given the Government in funding the commitment to tackle the attainment gap. The Scottish Government’s attainment challenge was a 10-year investment programme, which has transformed how we fund our schools. This morning, I visited Fair Isle primary school in”
“The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s report tells us that, by 2029, one in five children in Scotland will remain in poverty. In a wealthy country such as Scotland, that should shame us all. It is not good enough and it is why, collectively, all politicians, the Government, councils, services, the third sector and education systems alike must work together to eradicate child poverty. We all know that child poverty is different, because children are developing and are learning how to speak, play, read and write; fundamentally, they are learning how to communicate. Most of Scotland’s children encounter education services for the first time at the age of three. However, we know that the ages from zero to three are the formative years—they are the years that really matter. Save the Children wrote to members ahead of the debate.”
“The cornerstone of our Government’s approach has been investment in a more dignified and generous social security system. Our best start grants support families from birth and during the transition into nursery and primary school. Our Scottish child payment supports children up to the age of 16 and provides unparalleled financial support for families. Such policies are helping to keep an estimated 100,000 Scottish children out of poverty this year alone. Next year, we will again invest more than £3 billion in policies across Government to tackle poverty and the cost of living crisis. Although the Scottish Government’s investments have provided a much-needed safety net for families that are on the brink of poverty, we should not be having to do that in 21st century Scotland.”
“The number 1 priority for the Government is the eradication of child poverty. It is an aspiration that I would hope that every MSP shares, and it is why the Government’s motion seeks to be inclusive and recognise that there is more to do. We may differ on the proposed action that we take to get there, but ensuring that Scotland’s children grow up in a nation that is free from the scourge of poverty should be something on which all of us can find common cause. Last week, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported that Scotland’s child poverty rate is forecast to fall by January 2029, “bucking the trend of rising ... poverty” across “the UK.” That is clear evidence of the difference that our policies are making, but we know that more must be done.”
“I honestly believe that our best days lie ahead, but it is clearer now than ever that only Scottish Labour can deliver the new direction that Scotland needs. 15:45”
“If the Government is serious about a college- first approach and about universities becoming and remaining beacons for the world, as it says it is, its action is far removed from its rhetoric. If it is serious about skills and growing the economy, it is short-sighted to be leaving in limbo crucial initiatives such as developing the young workforce groups that are working in schools and are dedicated to embedding practical work-based learning in the curriculum and providing opportunities for pupils to access pathways into employment. Ultimately, despite record funding being delivered by the UK Labour Government, the SNP budget will not bring about the transformation that is needed in education to ensure opportunity for all. Scotland really can be a land of opportunity.”
“Despite the rhetoric on a world-class skills system and warm words on a college-first approach, too many young people from the poorest backgrounds are losing out on opportunities. Colleges Scotland said that the Government’s draft budget “imposes an unsustainable financial burden on the college sector, creating a substantial risk of curriculum reductions, campus closures and reduced opportunities for learners.” There is no change in direction for universities, either, with a proposed 0.7 per cent real-terms cut that comes on top of previous funding cuts, which universities have all warned will lead to drastic action to address deficits, including job losses, recruitment freezes and restructuring plans. I also wonder how the real-terms cut of 3.2 per cent to student support will help with the trend of more students dropping out.”
“For example, we still do not know what fundamental change will be made to support for learning in relation to the scaffolding for children and young people, such as having access to CAMHS, educational psychology or speech and language therapy. The Government has given no indication that it understands that those aspects are crucial to addressing the problem. I am afraid to say that the SNP’s failures in education do not stop at schools. The Government’s original commitment to the whole family wellbeing fund was £500 million over the life of the parliamentary session, but that commitment has stalled. At a time when families are screaming out for help, the Government cannot get its act together to spend the money that families need.”
“That £29 million on ASN is less than £1 million per local authority, at a time when the situation for young people with additional support needs is intolerable. A commitment to effectively stay the same as we were in 2023, with conditions attached but without reform or the resources that are needed, will be little comfort to staff in schools, pupils and parents who are desperate for a change of direction. The draft budget, as we are told regularly by the cabinet secretary—and as she has just pointed out—includes £29 million to fund the Government’s ASN plan. The updated additional support for learning plan, which was published in November, lacked the detail on timescales and the appropriate delivery that would let us know what that money would do, and many recommendations of the Morgan review remain unaddressed.”
“Will the member take an intervention on that point? Pam Duncan-Glancy: I will take one final intervention. Jenny Gilruth: I have to bring the member back to the point that she made about the funding increase that the Government is providing to local authorities to fund teacher numbers. We are also providing additionality in the form of £29 million for additional support needs. I thought that the member would have welcomed that, and I am not sure why she is not able to support that provision in the Government’s budget. Pam Duncan-Glancy: I thank the cabinet secretary for pointing that out. Of course, none of those interventions would have been possible without the £5.2 billion increase that the UK Labour Government has delivered for people across Scotland.”
“It also provides professional learning for teachers, which is sometimes delivered in partnership with faith and belief groups. I think that that answers the member’s question about how good practice is shared. However, I am more than happy to ask my officials to engage further with the foundation and to consider, in particular, whether any further opportunities exist to link the foundation with work in relation to our anti-racism in education programme, as well as the package of curriculum reforms that are now well under way. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We can squeeze in question 8, as long as we have succinct questions and answers. Borders College 8.”
“The foundation rightly believes that the education of our young people has a key preventative role to play in ensuring that future generations are tolerant and understanding of, and have respect for, all faiths, including Hinduism. It would be helpful to know how best practice in that area is shared and delivered in Scotland’s schools. More specifically, how could the Scottish Hindu Foundation engage with our education system in a structured and constructive way to offer its insights, skills and lived experience and thereby play its part in contributing to the development of the tolerant, understanding and respectful society that we all wish to promote? Jenny Gilruth: I know that Education Scotland has regular meetings with the Scottish Hindu Foundation.”
“The Scottish Government is committed to eradicating intolerance, including through our education system. That is why diversity and equality are at the heart of policies that underpin education in Scotland, such as the national guidance on uniform, and on religious and moral education. In particular, I highlight the role that is played by our curriculum, which places a strong emphasis on supporting pupils to be responsible citizens in a tolerant and inclusive Scotland. A key example of that is the religious and moral education curriculum area, which helps pupils to understand their own beliefs, values and traditions, as well as those of others. Bob Doris: I recently held a round-table event in Parliament with the Scottish Hindu Foundation, which has been active in raising awareness of Hinduphobia in society.”
“I recently visited Balmullo nursery in Fife, where the local authority is using a variety of approaches to upskill the nursery staff in relation to speech and language. Therefore, the support that is provided need not necessarily involve the provision of speech and language therapists; it can include the provision of support to upskill staff in our ELC facilities. The extra investment in the budget will help to support that work, and I hope that the member will reconsider his party’s position on backing the budget. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Question 7 comes from Bob Doris, who joins us remotely. Religious Diversity (Schools) 7.”
“We are looking at how we can provide more funding to local authorities for specialist provision, including for speech and language therapists. The member asked about the national picture in relation to speech and language therapists. NHS Scotland’s speech and language therapist workforce has increased by 6.7 per cent over the past decade. I hope that he welcomes that improvement. However, I recognise the on-going challenge. It is worth recounting, again, the changes that we have seen in some of our youngest citizens post the pandemic. I have engaged with a number of early learning and childcare facilities on the issue, and I know that the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise does so regularly. A number of different approaches are being taken at local level.”
“Foysol Choudhury: Research shows that there are higher levels of disruptive behaviour among children who have been identified as having communication needs, while demand for speech and language services has increased since the pandemic. The most recent data shows that there is a 17 per cent vacancy rate for speech and language therapists, and that waiting times are reaching years. Given the on-going issues with behaviour in schools, how is the Scottish Government increasing the supply of speech and language therapists? Jenny Gilruth: I thank the member for his interest. He raises an important point about the role of specialists in our schools, which is why the Government’s budget provides an extra £29 million to local authorities specifically for such additionality.”
“Our additional support for learning action plan is being delivered in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland and our education partners to improve access to the support that children and young people with additional support needs require in order to reach their full potential. We recognise the importance of language development and are investing to support early intervention in speech, language and communication, including through the national early language and communication team, which is made up of seven senior speech and language therapists who have been seconded to Education Scotland. That team is working locally and nationally to support improved outcomes in early language and communication development for children.”
“I will be more than happy to engage with the member on the issue and with the organisation in question, but it is worth while recounting the significant investment that has come from the Government for mental health services in our schools. Pupils with Additional Support Needs (Support) 6.”
“Jenny Gilruth: I am happy to give that commitment today. I am somewhat surprised by the member’s assertion about the organisation that she named. Place2Be has previously received significant Government funding to provide mental health support to Scotland’s trainee teachers. The member might be aware of that programme, which operates through some of our universities. It has been transformational in providing mental health and wellbeing support to trainee teachers. The member alluded to the use of PEF, which I mentioned in my first answer. However, that is additional funding that comes from the Government and goes directly to headteachers to empower them to invest, for example, in mental health treatment in their schools. A number of schools across the country do so, and there is also the funding that I alluded to in my original answer.”
“The theme is “Know yourself, grow yourself”, which is about encouraging children and young people across the United Kingdom to embrace self-awareness and explore what that means for them. The Scottish Government’s failure to address the child and adolescent mental health services crisis has only exacerbated the issues that our children face, with thousands now waiting long periods for treatment after diagnosis. As has already been stated, headteachers across Scotland use PEF to provide mental health and wellbeing support in their schools. However, Place2Be is concerned that such funding has an uncertain future. Will the cabinet secretary commit to considering how best we can continue to fund wellbeing support so that we can raise attainment and deal with the mental health crisis in our schools?”