Scottish schools exclude autistics

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More than a third of more than 1,400 parents who responded to a survey on the experiences of autistic pupils who have missed school said their children had been unlawfully excluded in the last two years. Almost a quarter said this happened multiple times a week.

Charities Children in Scotland, the National Autistic Society Scotland and Scottish Autism said the research showed it was happening regularly.

The survey also revealed that more than a quarter of parents said children had been placed on a part-time timetable and 85 per cent did not receive support to catch up on work they had missed.

The three charities are now calling on the Scottish Government to work with councils to put an end to the practice.

Amy Woodhouse, head of policy at Children in Scotland, said: “This is not an isolated problem as it is occurring across the country, to children of all ages, in both special and mainstream provision.

“Autistic children are not receiving the education they deserve and are entitled to.”

Carla Manini Rowden, education rights manager at the National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “Sending a child home without formally excluding them is against the law, yet it keeps happening to the families we support and it is having a devastating impact on the education and wellbeing of children.

The Not Included, Not Engaged, Not Involved report sets out nine demands for action.

These include stopping the use of unlawful exclusions and inappropriate use of part-time timetables, improving the availability of specialist teachers, reviewing the availability of appropriate placements for autistic children, and enhancing programmes of initial teacher training and continual professional development to improve understanding of autism.

The charities are also encouraging the public to sign an open letter urging John Swinney, the Education Secretary, to implement these calls for action.

...I thought Scotland was quite liberal and pro-government including a higher level of government assistance per capita?