Consultation on Support for Learning Review

The review will look at how children and young people across Shetland receive support for their learning, and how we can make this support more effective.

In Shetland and across Scotland there are more learners with recorded support for learning needs than ever before. We want to work with families to understand what is working well and which areas of the system we can strengthen. The review is an important step in our commitment to continually improving the standard of provision for children and young people in Shetland.

As part of this work, the Council is seeking the views of parents and carers of children and young people with any experience of support for learning, including those whose children currently attend, or who have recently attended, local authority schools.

The consultation will run from Monday 11th May to Sunday 21st June and will include:

An online survey for parents and carers here - Support for Learning Review – Parent and Carer Survey – Fill out form (Closing date for survey is Sunday 21st June)

• A series of informal drop-in sessions (see below)
• Ongoing engagement with schools and services

Further information about the review is available at Support for Learning Review – Shetland Islands Council

Davie Sandison Chairs the Council’s Education and Families Committee.  He says: “Obviously, it’s extremely important that we’re providing the right level and type of support to parents, carers and children.  This includes any specialist provision which might be required, in terms of staff and resources.  The information we gather will be critical in helping to shape that support in the future. 

“I’d encourage anyone with current, or past, experience which they’d like to share with us to get in touch.”

Drop in sessions will be held at:

• Unst Leisure Centre – Saturday 16th May, 11.00am – 12.30pm
• Yell Leisure Centre – Saturday 16th, 3.00 – 4.30pm
• Aith Community Hall – Monday 18th, 6.00 – 7.30pm
• Cunningsburgh Village Club – Sunday 24th, 2.00 – 4.00pm
• Brae Public Hall – Tuesday 26th, 6.00 – 7.30pm
• Lerwick, Room 12, Islesburgh Community Centre – Thursday 28th, 6.00 – 8.00pm
• Sandveien Neighbourhood Centre – Saturday 30th, 11.00am – 1.00pm
• Dunrossness, Boddam Public Hall – Monday 1st June, 6.00 – 7.30pm
• Mossbank Community Hall – Wednesday 3rd, 6.00 – 7.30pm
• Urafirth Primary School – Thursday 4th, 5.30 – 7.00pm
• Whalsay, Livister Youth Centre – Tuesday 9th, 6.00 – 7.30pm
• Online Microsoft Teams session for Fair Isle, Fetlar, Foula, Papa Stour and Skerries (invitation only) – Tuesday 2nd June, 6.00 – 7.30pm

If you live in one of our islands with small populations and would like to attend the online session please get in touch by email – supportforlearningreview@shetland.gov.uk – or phone 01595 744922