THE number of pupils with additional support needs (ASN) has risen by almost 70% in six years, figures show.
Almost 199,100 youngsters had some form of ASN in 2018 – including mental or physical health problems, autistic spectrum disorders and communication issues – according to the annual Scottish Government Pupil Census.
This is a rise of almost 70% – more than 81,000 learners – on the 118,000 recorded in 2012 and means more than one quarter of school children are within the ASN umbrella.
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC) says the change is partly driven by increased recognition and diagnosis of issues, as well as “continued improvements” in recording.
However, it has called on local authorities and the Scottish Government to do more to support those with ASN, stating that the spend-per-pupil on the group has fallen by £883 over the same period.
A spokesperson for the SCSC said: “It is clearly positive to see that we are becoming increasingly good at identifying and recording those with ASN, such as autism, dyslexia, mental health problems and learning difficulties.
“Greater clarity in these figures allows resourcing to be targeted in a more appropriate manner.
“However, what is key is that we provide those requiring it with the care and support that they need, if we are to genuinely close the educational attainment gap.
“This is clearly difficult in an environment of austerity and budget cuts, with evidence of cuts in the number of ASN teachers and support staff.”
According to the census, which covers publicly funded primary, secondary and specialist schools, there are now almost 17,400 young people with autistic spectrum disorders in Scotland’s schools following a rise of 100% over six years.
However, youngsters with recognised social, emotional and behavioural difficulties make up the largest proportion of ASN pupils, totalling almost 43,700.
At almost 640%, the highest percentage increase was in young carers, with more than 3200 young learners now known to have such responsibilities.
And the number of pupils requiring support for mental health problems has more than trebled between 2012 and 2018, up 252%.
Labour education spokesperson Iain Gray, a former teacher, said ASN pupils are being “badly let down”, while the Conservatives said the “alarming figures should jolt the SNP Government into action”.
However, a Scottish Government spokesperson said councils spent £5.22 billion on education in 2017-18, up slightly on the previous year’s figure. Funding allocated for ASN provision increased in real terms, it is claimed.
The spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring that all children and young people receive the support that they need to reach their learning potential. We have recently published revised guidance on the presumption to mainstream education, alongside online resources to support school staff in their delivery of support to pupils.
“Education authorities are responsible for identifying and meeting the additional support needs of their pupils.
“This includes the employment and provision of appropriate resources, including teaching and support staff, to meet children’s needs.”
On young carers, the spokesperson told The National: “It is important that young carers’ need for additional support from school is being identified and provided for.
“These children and young people often have extra responsibilities which can impact on their learning – the provision of additional support can help them to continue to engage in their education whilst also balancing their other responsibilities.”
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