A sharp fall in special needs teachers and support staff across Scotland has led to an increase in children being bundled into ‘soft rooms’, an MSP fears.
Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, says an 18 per cent decrease in special needs staff between 2010 and 2017 has caused mounting pressure in the classroom.
MSP Daniel Johnson is concerned about an increase in autistic children being bundled into soft rooms amid cuts to classroom support staff
Johnson points to a recent report by Children in Scotland, the National Autistic Society Scotland and Scottish Autism.
That report highlights high rates of exclusion of pupils with autism. It also stresses the need to improve the availability of specialist teachers.
‘Clear link’ of soft rooms to staff reductions
Johnson says there is a “clear correlation” between exclusions, the use of soft rooms and reductions in special needs staff.
Labour MSP Johnson says authorities need to take a close look at “why there is a need to use soft rooms, especially within mainstream schools, at all”.
He said it “stands to reason” that a reduction in the “specialist support available” will make “challenging circumstances” more difficult for teachers to deal with.
“That’s not going to help outcomes,” he added.
Teachers face ‘impossible circumstances’
Johnson said teachers are doing their “level best” in “impossible circumstances”.
The MSP, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), said he had an “emotional” reaction to the recent report.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said the overall number of teachers is at its highest level for a decade.
Singling out support staff is “inaccurate”, added the spokesperson.
Also, education authorities are responsible for meeting pupils’ additional needs, including employing teaching and support staff, added the spokesperson.
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Published: 11 January 2019
