Scotland’s education system is facing a critical issue that cannot be ignored any longer. Jenny Gilruth, the education secretary, has been urged to take immediate action to eradicate ‘unlawful’ exclusions targeting children with autism. This alarming situation was brought to light by a report in 2018, revealing the disturbing truth about the scale of the problem.
The report, conducted by Scottish Autism, Children in Scotland, and the National Autistic Society Scotland, surveyed over 1,400 parents. Shockingly, it found that a third of their children had been subjected to informal exclusions from school. These ‘unlawful’ or ‘stealth’ exclusions involve sending a child home during the school day without officially recording it as an exclusion, thus masking the true extent of the issue.
Moreover, the report uncovered that more than a quarter of children were placed on part-time or reduced timetables, depriving them of a full educational experience. Despite then education secretary John Swinney condemning these exclusions as “unacceptable,” the problem persists six years later.
### Parents’ Plight and Heart-wrenching Realities
Families are feeling the brunt of these exclusions, with many parents forced to give up their careers to homeschool their children with autism due to inadequate support. Scottish Autism has highlighted the emotional toll on parents who live in fear of receiving mid-morning calls from schools to collect their children. The lack of suitable provisions for children on reduced timetables further exacerbates the situation, leaving parents feeling helpless and isolated.
### Urgent Call for Action
Joe Long, director of practice and innovation at Scottish Autism, has pleaded with Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth to address this crisis with a “sense of urgency.” He emphasizes the need to revise guidance on exclusions and part-time timetables to gain a clear understanding of the problem’s magnitude and take decisive steps to combat it. Failure to act swiftly, warns Long, will condemn young autistic learners and their families to continued suffering.
The Scottish Government has pledged to enhance the educational experiences of children with additional support needs, including those with complex requirements. Yet, concrete steps must be taken to ensure that children and young people with additional support needs receive the necessary assistance. Collaboration with local authorities is essential to deliver effective education in Scotland and protect the rights of every child to a quality education.