Highland Council is embroiled in a row with union leaders over the future of support assistants for school pupils with additional needs.
The local authority has insisted it is maintaining the same level of funding for the upcoming school year. But the GMB has claimed the “maths don’t add up” with some staff wondering whether they’ll be needed after schools return from the summer break.
The council has confirmed there will be changes to staffing levels at a number of schools, but argued the overall number of pupil support assistants would remain the same across the Highland region.
However, GMB regional officer Liz Gordon countered she has examples of need remaining the same, but allocations being reduced.
She branded the changes discriminatory against a largely female and part-time group of staff and stated the union would help them pursue legal claims against the council.
She added: “It is undeniably good news that the council has decided to pull back on some of the cuts in additional supports needs hours. However, I suspect cuts in these hours will continue via the ASN matrix assessment process.
“I say this because I have examples of needs remaining the same, but allocations being reduced, sothe maths don’t add up.”
She advised workers not to voluntarily reduce their hours but to allow the council to go through their process while accompanied by a union representative.
Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “The council administration gave a commitment that we would sustain and not reduce the allocation of additional support services to schools.
“I am delighted today, that we can confirm that we will deliver on that commitment – even at this time of significant budget challenge. I know how important these services are to families and communities.
“There has been a lot of parental concern about the ASN budget, to which we have listened, and I am very pleased to make this announcement.”
Councillor Drew Millar, education committee chairman, added: “This means that the overall number of Pupil Support Assistants across the authority will be sustained at around 670 posts.
“In order to meet local needs, we will continue to make adjustments, to ensure that children get the appropriate level of support, while also looking at transitional arrangements in areas that face the greatest challenges.”
