A recent inspection of Dumfries and Galloway Council's secondary inclusion support (SIS) service has determined that the provision is performing weakly across every measured category. The service, which operates from a base in Dumfries to assist young people experiencing social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, was assessed by inspectors from Education Scotland during a visit earlier in the year.
At the time of the inspection, 37 young people were enrolled in the SIS programme. Inspectors identified a fundamental problem: too many of these students had restricted access to appropriate learning and educational opportunities. The council has now been directed to implement improvements and will face a follow-up inspection within six months to evaluate whether changes have taken effect.
What were the main findings?
The inspection team graded the service as weak in four distinct areas: leadership of change; learning, teaching and assessment; ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion; and raising attainment and achievement. Despite these significant shortcomings, inspectors acknowledged that staff had developed constructive relationships with the young people they support, and that senior management was beginning to recognise both the service's strengths and the areas requiring development.
A critical weakness identified was the absence of planned and coordinated support between mainstream schools that refer pupils to SIS and the service itself. According to the inspection report, this fragmentation was "limiting almost all young people's capacity to build skills and gain knowledge across the curriculum." The report noted that "a majority of young people have experienced reduced access to help from SIS over recent years," attributing this decline to staffing reductions and increased instances of young people declining to participate in available activities.
The inspection revealed that many of the young people in the service had no alternative quality education provision available to them. The report stated: "Too often the majority of young people supported by SIS have no or very little other quality education provision available to them. These young people face inequality as a result of their additional support needs."
What data gaps were identified?
Senior leaders were unable to supply reliable data demonstrating young people's progress in literacy and numeracy, a significant oversight in measuring educational outcomes. Attendance rates were also found to be inadequately low, suggesting additional barriers to engagement that require investigation and intervention.
What improvements have been demanded?
Inspectors have outlined a series of required improvements. The service must establish a clear overall purpose and strategic direction that genuinely addresses the needs of all young people it serves. Teaching methods and assessment practices require substantial upgrading, and the service must do more to recognise and celebrate the skills young people are developing. Inspectors have specifically called on senior leaders and mainstream schools, with backing from the council, to guarantee access to a "fully-inclusive educational experience" for all students.
According to Education Scotland's inspection records database, detailed findings from such assessments are maintained for reference purposes. The authority's guidance indicates that inspection reports remain publicly available for five years from publication, after which older documentation must be requested directly from the education authority.
What happens next?
Inspectors will return to Dumfries and Galloway within six months to assess what progress has been made in addressing the identified weaknesses. The council has been contacted for a response to the findings but has not yet provided a statement. The follow-up visit will be crucial in determining whether the service can move beyond its current weak rating and begin to deliver the inclusive, coordinated support that young people with additional needs require.
Key Facts
- 37 young people were enrolled in the SIS service at the time of inspection
- The service was rated weak in all four measured categories: leadership, teaching and assessment, wellbeing and inclusion, and attainment
- Lack of coordination between mainstream schools and SIS was identified as a critical barrier to student progress
- Senior leaders lack reliable data on literacy and numeracy progress, and attendance rates are too low
- A follow-up inspection will occur within six months to monitor improvements
