The coronavirus outbreak is having a significant impact on all aspects of everyday life, including the education system. We know that this will be causing a lot of anxiety for autistic children, and parents will have questions about what this means for their child’s education. We’ve tried to answer some of the most important questions below. There is further information in the Scottish Government’s guidance.

Should my child be going to school?

In March 2020, the Scottish Government announced the closure of schools and most children have not been going to school – this continues to apply. However, there is still 'critical provision' in each local authority to help protect some 'key groups'. Local authorities may also decide to open childcare ‘hubs’.

The key groups are:

• children of some key workers, for example NHS and social care staff
• ‘vulnerable children’. This may include some children with complex additional support needs, local authorities are expected to identify which children in their area may need access to critical childcare provision.

Decisions on who falls into this ‘critical provision’ category should be based on the advice of people who work most closely with children and their families.

My child has a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP)

If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be. However, children with a CSP may fall into the category of having complex additional support needs and be considered as ‘vulnerable children’. This means they may be entitled to access the ‘critical provision’ provided by the local authority.

Families should check the local arrangements being put in place by contacting their child’s school and/or local authority.

My child doesn’t have a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP)

A child without a CSP may fall into the children with complex additional support needs category, if they are:

• on stage 3 or 4 in a staged intervention model
• attending a grant-aided or independent special school
• meet one of the other criteria for ‘vulnerable children’. Schools and/or local authorities will decide which children are considered as ‘vulnerable’ and entitled to a school placement.

Parents should keep their children at home, wherever possible, and schools should remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

If my child is still going to school:

Will they attend their usual education setting?

Not always – if your child needs to go to school but their own school is closed, they may be given a place in a local authority ‘hub’.

Will their additional support needs still be met?

Children should still have their additional support needs identified and met unless this is not possible due to an Education Continuity Direction. Details of how local authorities are supporting children in their area can be found here.

My child currently receives free school meals – will we still get them if they aren’t going to school?

Local authorities are responsible for making sure families who usually get free school meals continue to get them while schools are closed. Children in primary 1 to 3 will not automatically get free school meals during this time.

The Scottish Government is preparing guidance which provides a range of options authorities can consider using to offer free school meals. These options include: cash payments to families of eligible children; supermarket vouchers; free school meal ingredients parcels that include cooking, preparation and storage instructions; and use of school premises to act as food preparation and delivery hubs. Parents should contact their local authority if they need to discuss school free school meals for their children.

Do we know how long schools will be closed?

The Scottish Government has announced that schools can re-open from 11 August.

Due to social distancing and hygiene guidance, schools will be opening with reduced capacity for students. This means students may not be able to attend full-time or may have classes in different places eg. gym halls. Please contact your local authority or school for details.

What we’re doing

If you are worried about your child going back to school, or have questions about what’s happening, contact our Education Rights Service. They provide impartial and confidential information and support to families on school education rights and entitlements.

We’re also telling the Government about your experiences of the coronavirus outbreak so they know what life is like for autistic people and their families. If you want to share your experiences, and any worries or concerns you have, email us at stories@nas.org.uk.