Concerns over plans to remove support staff for children from schools in North Lanarkshire

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Concerned parents say vulnerable children will “slip the net” if North Lanarkshire Council goes ahead with plans to remove support staff from schools.The local authority is carrying out a review and is proposing to cut 14.5 full time equivalent (FTE) posts from its Community, Learning and Development service.Among those who could go is the Home School Partnership Officer (HSPO) at Braidhurst High in Motherwell.Members of the school’s parent teachers and friends association (PTFA) have slammed the move.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android PTFA Chair Gemma Boland, said: “These particular support roles have already been cut in the years, we cannot lose them altogether.“I have a wee boy who is on the spectrum and is coming to this school in August, he will need this support.

The Home School Partnership Officer deals with all the enhanced transition for these children. They deal with a lot more in the school, they are a link between the schools and home for a lot of vulnerable children.

They deal with bereavement, anxiety support for kids, as well as children like my son who will struggle to go from school into the big bad world of work.