A quarter of ASN school applications denied in South Lanarkshire this year

A quarter of the children looking to attend an additional support needs (ASN) school or base in South Lanarkshire this year were sent to a mainstream classroom instead.

A Freedom of Information Request (FOI) by an East Kilbride mum has revealed 42 applications for a place in dedicated support schools or bases were refused, compared to 10 last year.

Last year, the 10 mainstream outcomes represented 6% of total applications - this year, 25% of total applications were not placed in ASN outcomes.

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Within the FOI, South Lanarkshire Council's head of education and inclusion Anne Donaldson wrote: " The presumption of mainstreaming enshrines the right of all children and young people with additional support needs to learn in mainstream schools and we endeavour to find the most suitable placement for a child or young person to flourish.

"Every child presented to the allocations group is considered separately and their needs are evaluated to find the most suitable placement for them to have their needs met."

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Nikki Sweeney submitted the FOI after she was told her son Logan will transition from nursery into a mainstream classroom this year.

Logan has not been formally diagnosed with anything due to the long NHS wait times for testing.

However, a wellbeing report produced by Logan's nursery and an educational psychologist recommended he be considered for ASN support due to developmental delay and suspected autism.

'A kick to the stomach'

Concerned mum, Nikki exclusively told Clyde 1 News she is fearful for the safety of her son and other children, as Logan can become violent when overstimulated.

She said: "At first the decision felt like it was a kick to the stomach.

"Every mother worries about their child starting school, it's a big deal.

"When you've got a child with additional child, you're not just worrying about if they drop their tray at lunchtime.

"For me, it's what's going to happen when the school bells go off. How is he going to eat lunch because he doesn't eat anything? How is he even going to go into a lunch hall?

"Logan can become violent when he goes into a meltdown.

"What if he hurts another child? I'm concerned about everybody else, not just Logan. This is not going to be the right environment for a child who displays these kinds of behaviours.

'Logan is different to other children'

Nikki is worried that a mainstream classroom setting will exclude Logan, and impact his mental health.

She said: "I'm concerned that he's not going to make any friends. School can be a really lonely place if you don't have any friends and that's going to be a real struggle for him.

"Logan is different to other children, and in this environment, he is going to feel every bit of that.

"I don't think Logan is unable to learn, he's a clever wee boy and in the right environment, he can become a smart wee guy.

"My concern is him not being in the right environment, he will lose all the confidence he's gained throughout the nursery.

"I've decided that this is something I feel so strongly about that it's not even about Logan anymore - it's about the system. It needs to change."

'Each young person's needs are carefully assessed'

Head of Education Anne Donaldson added: “ASN placement refers to placement in a Base provision (co-located with mainstream school) or special school.

“It does not refer to additional support within a mainstream school or class.

“Each child/young person’s needs are carefully assessed and the most appropriate placement – mainstream or ASN placement – identified.”

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