29 October 2003

The Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee today issues a call for evidence seeking views on the general principles of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill.

The Bill seeks to secure that children receiving a school education who have additional support needs will receive that support. The Record of Needs system for children deemed, within the current legal framework, to have special educational needs will be abolished, and Co-ordinated Support Plans for children requiring assistance from other agencies as well as the education authorities (e.g.; a health board) will be introduced. Provision will be made for dispute resolution either through new Additional Support Needs Tribunals or through mediation.

The Education Committee will be considering the general principles of the Bill and would welcome written evidence on the Bill from anyone having an interest. Respondents are invited to set out:
- whether they approve or disapprove of the Bill in principle;
- whether they consider that the Executive carried out adequate consultation with interested parties before the Bill was introduced; and
- any concerns they may have about particular elements of the Bill and suggestions as to how the Bill might be improved.

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill is published as SP Bill 11 and is available from the Stationery Office or on the Parliamentary website at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/bills/index.htm

Explanatory Notes are published separately as SP Bill 11-EN. A Policy Memorandum is also published separately as SP Bill 11-PM and both can be accessed using the above link. Evidence received may be published by the Parliament and will be treated as a public document unless indicated otherwise. All responses will be circulated to the Committee.

Evidence should be submitted by Thursday 20 November.

BACKGROUND NOTES

The Bill, which was prepared by the Scottish Executive, is published today, 29 October 2003.

Since evidence may be published, we would prefer responses to be sent by email to education@scottish.parliament.uk

If you have a computer, but no email, you can post your response to us on a 3½" disk, preferably in Word. If you cannot use email or a disk, your submission must be typed. Submissions should not exceed four sides of A4 paper. All responses become the property of the Scottish Parliament and we are unable to return documents.

Hard copy submissions should be sent to:
Paul Howell
Room 2.7
Committee Chambers
The Scottish Parliament
EDINBURGH EH99 1SP.

For further information, the media contact is:
Sally Coyne: 0131 348 5605
email: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk

For specific committee information, contact:
Peter McGrath, Senior Assistant Clerk: 0131 348 5238
email: peter.mcgrath@scottish.parliament.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000
For general enquiries, contact 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk

Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk