Chamber and committees

In preparation for the return to school, the Scottish Government developed and published guidance which highlighted the need to consider the wellbeing of all pupils including those with additional support needs, this would include those with learning difficulties. The Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for continuity in learning - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) guidance set out the particular considerations required to meet a wide range of children and young people's needs, including the mental health and wellbeing of pupils.

The Scottish Government has also developed and published guidance on Positive mental wellbeing - resources to support children and young people which

is designed to provide a comprehensive package of information, resources and organisations which are freely available to support primary and secondary school staff to support the mental wellbeing of children and young people. This guidance was published prior to the return of pupils to school earlier in the year. In addition, we have continued to progress the implementation of the commitment to provision of counselling through schools.

Guidance was also issued on 21 December regarding the detailed arrangements for schools after the festive break. That guidance provides clarity for learning arrangements through to 15 January, including for those who may be vulnerable, including as a result of additional support needs and where they and/or their parents are experiencing poor physical or mental health. From 18 January onwards, our current planning assumption is that schools will be open to all pupils for in-person teaching and learning as normal. However, this will be subject to an assessment of the state of the pandemic in Scotland and any further developments with regard to the new variant in the new year.