Autism centre plans set to be binned
The council chiefs are arguing there isn't the demand or the funding for the facilities.
Grand plans for building new autism centres are set to be binned by Dumfries and Galloway Council and replaced with downgraded cheaper options.
Talks over new facilities and improved provision for autistic pupils have been ongoing for the last decade, and at one point five new centres appeared to be a possibility.
However, council chiefs insist that the demand isn’t there – and neither is the funding.
They have now costed two options for councillors to consider: Option one – establishing local autism hubs to serve five areas within Dumfries and Galloway (Annandale and Eskdale, Dumfries, Nithsdale, Stewartry and Wigtownshire); and option two – establishing autism centres in Dumfries and Stranraer by refurbishing current council buildings, and repurposing/refurbishing spaces in a number of secondary schools.
Option one would require £13.8m of capital investment, which just isn’t there, and around £2.55m per year to fund.
Meanwhile option two – which is being recommended to councillors – would only require £2.4m of capital investment and £470,000 annual staffing costs.
A report, due to be tabled at the council’s education committee next Tuesday, reads: “One of the autism specific centres within option two is detailed as Stranraer. “A review of existing assets has taken place, with a view that a facility in close proximity to Stranraer Academy would be well placed to support the mainstream offering, and any pupil who require day placement.
“This would create a facility that was able to balance the needs of stage four and day placement pupils as demand and need fluctuates from year to year.
“The second autism specific centre location was identified as Dumfries. On review, and given the locations of existing external provision within the geographical area, no separate facility has been suggested within the programme. Any need for day placement level support may continue to be met by external provision, which gives the flexibility to expand and contract to demand.”
The report continues: “As the vast majority of autistic young people are supported within mainstream settings, it’s clear that enhancements to the learning environment across existing schools will bring benefits, not just from a curricular delivery perspective, but also wider life skills and a safe place and familiarity for any pupils who become overwhelmed at any point within mainstream provision.”
Just £3.15m in funding is available from the Scottish Government for this improved autism learning provision, which effectively rules out option one for five new autism hubs spread across the region.