The rights of children with learning disabilities
In 2011, our report 
Bridging the Training Gap revealed that none of Scotland’s 32 local authorities provide mandatory training on learning disability and autism for teachers and support staff. Instead they are opting to provide general training on additional supports needs and equalities but even this is only mandatory in five local authority areas.
ENABLE
Scotland is calling for more mandatory training on basic behaviour
management strategies, autism awareness and communications skills for
all staff involved in a child’s education, from head teachers to learning support assistants.
Bridging the Training Gap petition
David
Stewart MSP, Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions
Committee, is presented ENABLE Scotland's petition by Nigel Over,
Trustee, Mandy Bradley, Chair of the Young Families Support Committee
and Linda Whitmore, Development Officer, Children and Young People.
In
December 2011, ENABLE Scotland gave evidence on the petition to the
Public Petitions Committee at the Scottish Parliament. On 6 March 2012, the Committee agreed to refer our petition on to the Education and Culture Committee for further discussion.
Education and Culture Committee
On 17 April 2012, the Education and Culture Committee agreed to invite ENABLE Scotland to give evidence at the Committee's planned evidence session on Additional
Support for Learning on Tuesday 15 May. The Committee also agreed to write to the General Teaching Council for Scotland and the Association of Headteachers and Deputes Scotland for
their views.
For more information on this campaign contact Linda Whitmore on 07889 456 104 or linda.whitmore@enable.org.uk.
Latest News
16 May 2012: Our campaign was featured on BBC Radio Scotland's 'Scotland at 10' programme. Click here to listen to the programme (from 14 minutes 29 seconds).
15 May 2012: Linda Whitmore, Development Officer - Children and Young People, ENABLE Scotland appeared before the Education and Culture Committee. The Committee unanimously agreed to raise our concerns with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning at their upcoming meeting.
17 April 2012: The Education and Culture Committee agreed to invite ENABLE Scotland to take part in their evidence session on Additional Support for Learning on 15 May.