Is the current Highland Council approach for additonal support needs (ASN) working in our schools?
A child’s additional educational requirements should be put in place at the start of their education.
Currently in the Highland Council region, additional support needs (ASN) resources are allocated according to an algorithm based on school rolls, rurality, whether a child receives a clothing grant and the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.
This system was first introduced in 2023 but its effects started being perceived at the start if the current school year.
Tom Rhind wrote a letter to the Highland Council to ask for his one-to-one support to be brought back. With an ADHD and dyslexia diagnosis, you would think this support would be something that wasn’t removed in the first instance.
Federica Stefani spoke to Tom and his Mum, Claire, about their concerns. There has been no response from the Highland Council.
“They were extremely frustrated because on one side, there’s been no response, nor acknowledgement from the Council about their concerns and struggles, on the other hand, they (Tom and Claire) were also quite happy about the response from the members of the public that they had after publishing their story.
“They (Highland Council) are following national guidelines, I can see that it is a very widespread region; you want resources available to reach everyone
“To me, it’s heartbreaking how much they are going through.”
