At a national level, the Scottish Government funds a pilot of the i-Sgoil service, which provides live online teaching for young people, including those with severe anxiety, who have disengaged from their school learning for an extended period of time.

This is a national offer to complement arrangements put in place by schools and local authorities and is not a standalone substitute for locally-led support.

Statutory responsibility for the delivery of education sits with local authorities – as set out under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. Officials continue to engage with e-Sgoil and local government on a sustainable funding model for i-Sgoil, including the possibility for councils to fund additional places directly, which would allow for increased capacity and reduced waiting lists/times.

The Scottish Government is committed to working with local authorities and other partners to implement a range of support for local authorities and schools in delivering these functions.