NDCS Scotland gives evidence to Parliament on ASL Act
NDCS Scotland has been invited to submit written evidence and give oral evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Education Committee, and have pressed upon the Committee the need for a wider review.
The Education, Culture and Lifelong Learning Committee has been designated the lead Committee, and at Stage 1 of the legislative process, is interested issues concerning the general principle of the Bill.
NDCS Scotland responded to the Committee's call for evidence by submitting a paper specifically concerned with the Additional Support for Learning Act as it impacts on deaf children.
We highlighted the fact that the majority of deaf children do not have a Coordinated Support Plan or an Individualised Education Plan under the framework; the impact that this has on the recording of deaf pupils in Scotland (as highlighted by our Pick a number campaign); the lack of information available to parents of deaf children about their rights under the Act; and the shortcomings of the Act as it currently exists in terms of the provision of early years for deaf babies and toddlers, and transitions support for deaf young people leaving school.
As a result of this written evidence, NDCS Scotland was invited to appear before the Committee on 28 November 2008 to give further evidence, and took the opportunity to encourage the Committee to consider endorsing our amendments around early years and transitions, and to look at the wider issue of access to statutory support plans.
NDCS Scotland is also part of a wider coalition of organisations, led by Govan Law Centre, representing children with additional support for learning needs in Scotland, and also submitted a joint written evidence paper as part of this group.
The Committee will now take further oral evidence from a range of organisations, including the Scottish Government, the Additional Support Needs Tribunal, and local authorities, before delivering its Stage 1 report on the Bill in early 2009.
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Contact: scotland.campaigns@ndcs.org.uk
