Government backing for mum’s seven-year crusade for children

A Monifieth mum’s seven-year campaign to end physical restraint and isolation of disabled children in schools has won Scottish Government backing.

Beth Morrison had lobbied ministers to set new guidelines for schools after several parents claimed pupils at Kingspark school in Dundee had been hurt in incidents there.

With Beth’s help, a new Scottish Government report on school exclusions has issued fresh guidelines on the issue.

She said: “I am very pleased with what we have achieved and look forward to continuing the work we have done.

“I was always very clear that I represented the most vulnerable children in Scotland.

“As this guidance is for all children, essentially, we have achieved something we didn’t set out to do. I see this very much as a first step.

“Deputy First Minister John swinney listened to our concerns and gave a commitment to revisit this issue in 2019.

“I will be watching and continuing to collect case studies and I want all of the windowless, unheated bare box rooms and cupboards used for children with additional support needs gone, as Mr Swinney has said they are wholly and utterly inappropriate to be utilised.

“We must make sure that children with disabilities are not treated as lesser human beings.”

In his foreword, Mr Swinney, cabinet secretary for education and skills, said: “There can be no greater responsibility than working to improve the life chances of all our children and young people.

“This refreshed guidance gives a stronger focus on approaches that can be used to prevent the need for exclusion.”