Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-34845

Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 January 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 4 February 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, as part of its response to the 2020 report on the review of additional support for learning implementation, whether it will provide evidence to show how young people will not be subject to a so-called “postcode lottery” in relation to access to support.

We are committed to ensuring that all children and young people get the support that they need to reach their full learning potential.

The Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 (as amended) requires education authorities to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of all their pupils.

In October 2020, the Scottish Government, in partnership with COSLA and ADES, published our joint response which accepted the recommendations made by Angela Morgan's review of implementation of additional support for learning. Our joint action plan sets out the range of interlinked measures that will be taken to address each of the review’s 9 themes and improve the educational experiences of children and young people with additional support needs to ensure that they are fully supported in their learning.

Question reference: S5W-34847

Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 January 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 4 February 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, as part of its response to the 2020 report on the review of additional support for learning implementation, whether it plans to investigate issues regarding the qualifications and training provided for teachers to enable them to competently assess for dyslexia, in light of concerns that, in a number of local authorities, the role of classroom teachers without specific training in this regard is increasing, while the role of educational psychologists is decreasing.

We are committed to ensuring that all children and young people get the support that they need to reach their full learning potential.

We provide free professional learning opportunities for practitioners in order to support education authorities to meet their duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act – including identifying, providing for, and reviewing the additional support needs of all their pupils, including those with dyslexia. These support practitioners to further develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in supporting learners with dyslexia, including through the Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit and the Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice online professional learning modules.

We recognise the important role that Education Psychologists play in supporting all children and young people, including those with dyslexia. Their work significantly contributes to the equality and inclusiveness of schools, and they play a vital role in raising the attainment of our children and young people. Educational Psychologists have and continue to provide vital support to children and young people throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2020, the Scottish Government, in partnership with COSLA and ADES, published our joint response which accepted the recommendations made by Angela Morgan's review of implementation of additional support for learning. Our joint action plan sets out the range of interlinked measures that will be taken to address each of the review’s 9 themes and improve the educational experiences of children and young people with additional support needs to ensure that they are fully supported in their learning. To take forward these measures we are working closely with local authorities and schools to improve consistency of support across Scotland. This includes improved guidance, building capacity to deliver effective additional support, improving career pathways and providing professional development resources.

Question reference: S5W-34846

Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 January 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 4 February 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether teachers, across all local authorities, who undertake assessments for dyslexia are appropriately trained and skilled.

We have provided a range of free professional learning opportunities for teachers aimed at supporting practitioners to further develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in supporting learners with dyslexia, and reduce barriers to learning. This includes the Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit and identification pathway, launched in 2017, and the Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice online professional learning modules, which enable staff to gain professional recognition in this area.

A formal identification of dyslexia is not required in order for a pupil to access support.

Question reference: S5W-34842

Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 January 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 4 February 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what quality assurance measures are in place in local authorities in relation to the identification of secondary school pupils with dyslexia; what its position is on whether these measures are (a) appropriate and robust in relation to the levels of identification and (b) addressing the issue of low identification rates.

We want all children and young people, including those with dyslexia, to receive the support they need to reach their full potential. The Additional Support for Learning Act places duties on education authorities to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils. We are committed to supporting teachers and school staff to meet these needs.

We have provided a range of free professional learning opportunities for teachers aimed at supporting practitioners to further develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in supporting learners with dyslexia, and reduce barriers to learning. This includes the Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit and identification pathway, launched in 2017, and the Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice online professional learning modules, which enable staff to gain professional recognition in this area.

A formal identification of dyslexia is not required in order for a pupil to access support.

Question reference: S5O-04936

Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 January 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when the next evaluation will be carried out of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project, in line with the Scottish Trunk Road Infrastructure Project Evaluation guidance.

Question reference: S5W-34110

Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 24 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many projects have been funded via the Agricultural Transformation Programme; how much funding each project has been awarded to date, and how it plans to distribute the remainder of the £40 million fund before the end of the financial year.

The Sustainable Agriculture Capital Grants Scheme, funded through the Agricultural Transformation Fund (ATF) issued over 3,600 letters to eligible farmers and crofters worth a grant value of over £17.8m Through the additional ATF funding allocated to the Forestry Grant Scheme, to date, 13 Woodland Creation projects have been offered support worth over £700,000 and 18 harvesting and processing projects have been approved amounting to funding awards of almost £210,000. None of the Financial transactions funding has been allocated. Opportunities to utilise this funding have been limited due to Covid restrictions on business earlier in the year.

Question reference: S5W-32724

Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 16 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when the standards for a Barnahus response to children and young people who have been victims and witnesses of violence in Scotland will be put out for consultation.

The impact of Covid-19 resulted in the suspension of work on Barnahus Standards development whilst frontline services prioritised immediate responses to the pandemic.

We have agreed with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the Care Inspectorate and key stakeholders that work will re-start in November under a revised timetable to build on learning from the current children and families, health and justice work-streams and the impact of and response to Covid-19 to support the continued co-design of draft standards for consultation in 2021.

Question reference: S5W-31581

Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 17 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications there have been for legal aid under the Advice and Assistance (Proceedings for Recovery of Documents) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 in each year since they came into force, and how many of those applications have been successful.

In the financial year 16-17 there were 7 applications, all were granted;

In the financial year 17-18 there were 3 applications, all were granted’

In the financial year 18-19 there were 13 applications, all were granted; and

In the financial year 19-20 there were 6 application, all were granted.

Therefore, in total there have been 29 applications received and all have been granted. These applications are determined without reference to the financial circumstances of the applicant. The Scottish Legal Aid Board must be satisfied that legal representation is required to allow the person to participate effectively in the proceedings.

Question reference: S5W-31580

Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 17 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to raise awareness of the Advice and Assistance (Proceedings for Recovery of Documents) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.

In 2018-19, the Scottish Government provided funding to Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS) to support the development of materials to ensure complainers were aware of their rights in response to the Advice and Assistance (Proceedings for Recovery of Documents) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.

A leaflet for complainers’ explaining their rights when their personal records are being sought has been produced by RCS. A link to the leaflet is included in the information provided by the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service to complainers in High Court cases when informing them that an application has been made to access their sensitive records. An extension to all such applications in the Sheriff Courts will be put in place soon.

The total funding of just under £11,000 was also used to design and deliver training for solicitors who act for complainers on this issue with the aim of ensuring that they have appropriate knowledge and skills to effectively assist complainers in representing any privacy concerns in relation to their sensitive records being obtained by the defence.

Question reference: S5O-04497

Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 August 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the prison estate and whether it is fit for purpose.

Chamber and committees