A parents organisation has hit out at council plans to reallocate the hours of support given to schools.
The Dumfries and Galloway Parent Collective claims some of the council’s changes would see “quite drastic and severe reductions in additional support for learning hours”.
And the group insists discussions with education boss Gillian Brydson failed to answer their concerns.
A statement from the group read: “The supporting learners budget is reportedly the highest it has been in six years, and yet we are being contacted by lots of parents regionwide who are seeing their child’s support hours reduced or removed altogether and additional support for learning staff being let go.
“A reshuffling, or restructuring of staff, cannot explain the vast difference in allocation we are seeing. We have asked repeatedly to be allowed access to the criteria and system for allocations so we can see and better explain why the changes have happened to parents, so far no one has responded to this request.
“This has left parents incredibly frustrated, anxious and worried about what is to come not only after the holidays but next year also. The lack of transparency and willingness to work with parents is a huge barrier to resolving issues locally.”
Causing particular concern is that appeals from 12 affected schools will be heard by a panel of peer headteachers in August, rather than before the schools go back, creating the potential for disruption.
And they have called for future learning support allocations to be made earlier in the spring term so potential issues can be dealt with.
They added: “This would allow the greatest level of continuity for children with additional support needs, their classmates, teachers, additional support for learning staff and would also allow robust and targeted plans to be drawn up for August with the confidence of knowing what was to come.”
Dr Brydson told education committee councillors last Thursday that only a “small number of parents” had complained about the proposed reallocations of school support staff.
And she insisted that the hours and staff allotted for the new school year would be more than ever before.
This week a council spokeswoman said the money allocated for learning assistant support in the new school year will be the largest amount in five years, with more than 12,000 hours a week being available to be allocated.
She said: “Last year, we were able to access additional government funding around Covid recovery which was very helpful in terms of supporting children back into school at such a critical time post the pandemic and lockdowns. However, this was one-year additional funds. We are now looking forward and planning with the resources that we have for this year.”
Internal documents were being used to decide on allocations, with “public friendly versions” of some being available on the council website. A review of the allocation process is taking place, with parents and carers invited to take part.
The spokeswoman added: “The review will look at alternative options for an ASL staffing exercise, including concluding the allocation earlier in the school session.
“A number of individuals make up the appeals panel including headteachers. The panel cannot meet without headteachers present. The panel is meeting in August because the peer headteachers who will be assessing appeals are term-time contracted and so on leave for summer.”
