Additional Support Needs (ASN) Review
Perth and Kinross Council · 18 December 2024
Back to Scrutiny and Performance Committee — 18 December 2024 and its agenda
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Perth and Kinross Council Scrutiny and Performance Committee 18 December 2024 ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS (ASN) REVIEW Report by Strategic Lead – Legal and Governance (Report No. 24/369) 1. PURPOSE OF REPORT 1.1 The purpose of this report is to confirm the agreed scope of the review of Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision across schools within Perth & Kinross Council; and to update the Scrutiny & Performance Committee as to progress and next steps 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: (i) Confirm the agreed scope of the Scrutiny Review (ii) Note the progress to date (iii) Asks officers to bring back an overview and update report to Scrutiny Committee in January 2025 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT INTRODUCTION Section 4: Background/Context Section 5: Scope Next Steps Annex Appendices 4. BACKGROUND/CONTEXT 4.1 During a Scrutiny & Performance Committee meeting held 22 June 2022, the Convenor, Councillor Colin Stewart, issued a call for review topics. 4.2 During this meeting, Councillor Caroline Shiers proposed a broad topic review of Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision across schools in Perth and Kinross, to better understand the challenges and to help the organisation align budget to need.
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5. SCOPE OF THE REVIEW 5.1 A small core group from the Scrutiny and Performance Committee convened on 2 occasions ; • 24 August 2023: To determine what should be included in the scope • 06 February 2024: to agree the topic brief which would form the focus of the review. The agreed area of focus was on how schools make the necessary adjustment to meet additional support needs. 5.2 This area of focus resulted in the following scope for review: To determine how effective the Council is at ensuring that adjustments made for children and young people with additional support needs are: • applied properly and consistently over time in practice. • communicated well when pupils move schools or transition from nursery to primary/primary to secondary. • applied in a way that benefits both the council and the child through early interventions. 6. REVIEW PROCESS TO DATE 6.1 5 November 2024: presentation to members from Fiona Mackay, Service Manager Inclusion and Additional Support. This presentation gave a comprehensive overview on the current landscape of ASN within Perth & Kinross Council . It also provided members with information as to the progress of the ASN Transformation Programme. 6.2 A range of school & partner visits were arranged and attended by Councillors as follows: A variety of supporting documents and information were provided to facilitate the visits. 6.3 13 November 2024; workshop for members of the Scrutiny & Performance Committee supported by officers assess the information gathered to date and to reaffirm the scope of the Review. Date School / Partner 6/11/24 Milnathort PS 6/11/24 Crieff LMG (Primary & Secondary) 11/11/24 St John’s RC Academy 11/11/24 Perth Academy & Viewlands PS 26/11/24 Perth Autism Support (PAS)
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7. NEXT STEPS 7.1 Athe request of members, a visit has been planned with Parent to Parent. This is a service, contracted by the Council through a Service Level Agreement, which offers support and advocacy for parents of children and young people with additional support needs. This will provide Committee members with the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the challenges surrounding ASN from a parental perspective. 7.2 A follow up meeting between Committee members and the Chief Executive of Perth Autism Support to be convened. 7.3 A comprehensive overview report reflecting the work to date will be presented by the Service at the next Scrutiny and Performance Committee Meeting on January 29, 2025. Authorised Name Designation Contact Details Lisa Simpson Strategic Lead – Legal & Governance Services legalservices@pkc.gov.uk
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes/None Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement Yes Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial No Workforce No Asset Management (land, property, IST) No Assessments Equality Impact Assessment No Strategic Environmental Assessment No Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) No Legal and Governance No Risk No Consultation Internal No External No Communication Communications Plan No 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement 1.1 This section sets out how the proposals relate to the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement in terms of the following priorities: (i) Giving every child the best start in life; (ii) Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens; (iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy; (iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and (v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations. This report relates to Objective No. (2.1). Corporate Plan 1.2 This section sets out how the proposals relate to the achievement of the Council’s Corporate Plan Objectives: (i) Giving every child the best start in life; (ii) Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens;
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(iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy; (iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and (v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations. This report relates to Objective No. (2.1). 1.3 The report also links to the Education and Learning; and the Children, Families and Justice Services Vision, Values and Priorities in respect of the following key Priority area: • Learning and Achievement 2. Resource Implications N/A 3. Assessments N/A 4. Consultation N/A 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS N/A 3. APPENDICES N/A