West Dunbartonshire additional support needs expansion plan is underway

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Work to increase West Dunbartonshire’s additional support needs (ASN) estate to create a school for severe and complex learners is progressing well according to council officers.An update on plans to expand the Kilpatrick School Campus and work to convert the former Riverside Early Learning and Childcare Centre (ELCC) into a school for pupils with ASN was given to members of the educational committee recently.Members were presented a paper that explained the expansion of the Kilpatrick School Campus; with three additional classrooms underway, temporary accommodation completed and young people transitioned into them.Layout plans for the ASN school have now been finalised but there is a delay in progress as a result of building warrant issues.Claire Cusick, Senior Education Officer, said: “I want to highlight the collaborative nature of planning from our education leaders in our specialist settings to ensure equality and high quality learning and teaching experiences.”There are currently 12,226 pupils attending West Dunbartonshire Council schools, 5281 of which are pupils with ASN and are supported mainly in mainstream schools.Around 241 pupils are supported in a specialist setting as they require a more specific learning environment and a small percentage of children and young people are supported outside the council area.During the meeting, councillors were made aware of how work is ongoing to develop the third year of the ASN strategy which aims to meet the needs of children, young people and their families.Family Hubs have helped more than 350 families with enhanced support in health and wellbeing and provide a safe space for them to raise concerns and get advice on any barriers to learning and parenting.The local