“We need to think bigger” – Marie Harrison gives evidence to Scottish Parliament Inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland
Evidence was given by Marie Harrison, Service Manager (Children’s Views), Children in Scotland, to the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee Evidence Session – Inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland.
Here, Marie reflects on the implementation gap between laudable policies and what happens on the ground. Legislation wants to do right – but the ask of local authorities is not realistic with what is available and the gap between the promise and what’s realistic is incredible wide, with a potential over-reliance on processes and procedures, such as Tribunal.
Marie asks for everyone to support other, non-judicial, routes to support families and build relationships, expressing a need for education services to work closer with the third sector. She also stresses that much of Scotland’s education system was created for a world that no longer reflects the reality of the lives of the country’s children and young people.
In this section, Marie discusses triaging of needs, highlighting the importance of considering the intersectionality of need. Focusing on one area of need can be “blinding”, she says, noting that there might be a range of issues or need and these all should be taken into account.
Marie comments on the broadness of the terminology of additional support needs and warns against any “tiered” system. She also notes that more holistic support is more readily available to families who have the capacity and resources to fight for it.
When we put adjustments in place, who are they actually for?
Marie reflects on how helpful reasonable adjustments are if they don’t put the child at the centre. She shares some examples of reasonable adjustments being put in place before support being taken away once situations improve, leading to an inevitable step backwards. She also shares a range of examples of reasonable adjustments either not working or not being in the best interest of the child.
It’s not about educating ‘them’ and everyone else – we need an education system that works for everyone.
Marie goes on to talk about the systemic and long-term culture change needed to develop an education system that works for everyone, emphasising that there should be no need to educate neurodivergent children separately and that the education of neurotypical young people will not suffer for being educated alongside those that need additional support.
About Marie
Marie Harrison is Senior Manager – Children’s Views for the My Rights My Say Children’s Views service.
Additionally, she oversees as the Under 12 Tribunal support project and manages the Children’s Views component of Enquire’s Complex Needs work.
Children in Scotland is a partner in the My Rights, My Say service, helping children aged 12-15 with additional support needs to be involved in decisions about their education.
