An Edinburgh mother, Carol Pake, is worried about her son’s future due to proposed funding cuts that could impact his education. Her son, Ross, who is 16 years old, has autism and is non-verbal. Carol, who is a nurse, expressed her concerns about the potential £4 million cut from “inclusion spending” and the negative effects it could have on children with Additional Support Needs (ASN) in Edinburgh.
Carol emphasized the importance of continuity and routine for children with ASN and how the proposed cuts could lead to less support for not only the children but also for parents and teachers. She highlighted the stress that parents face when trying to secure appropriate support for their children and the challenges they encounter in accessing help from the council.
Another parent, Carolyn Samson, who is a single mother to Robbie, seven, also shared her fears about the impact of the funding cuts on children with disabilities and additional support needs. Carolyn stressed that taking away support would not improve the situation and could result in children being unfairly labeled as troublemakers in school. She expressed her concerns about the added pressure on parents and the potential negative effects on all children, including those who are excelling in school.
A petition has been created by concerned parents urging the City of Edinburgh Council to reconsider their budget plans and to prioritize services for vulnerable children with disabilities and ASN in schools. The group is also seeking support from the Scottish Government to address the impact of budget cuts on essential services provided by councils.
The article also mentioned the financial challenges faced by the council, with possible £40 million education cuts to address a £110 million funding shortfall. Education convener Joan Griffiths acknowledged the difficult decisions that need to be made due to the lack of funding from the Scottish Government and emphasized the commitment to prioritize the well-being of children and young people in the decision-making process.
Both the Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government have been contacted for comments on the situation. The petition created by concerned parents aims to raise awareness and advocate for the protection of essential services for children with disabilities and additional support needs in Edinburgh schools.
