- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Euan Robson on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be set aside to improve procedures, services and support for adoptive and foster parents, as referred to in A Partnership for a Better Scotland.
Answer
In the spending review the Executive has allocated over £20 million for 2003-04 to 2005-06 to improving outcomes for looked-after children, which will include elements to support adoptive parents and foster carers. In addition, the Executive has allocated £30 million for 2001-02 to 2003-04 to improving family placements, including foster care.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether all schools will meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in respect of access to buildings by 1 October 2004.
Answer
Part IV of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 places duties on education authorities not to discriminate against a disabled pupil in the education or associated services provided for, or offered to, pupils at the school by that body. Furthermore, education authorities must take reasonable steps to avoid disadvantage to disabled pupils. However, it does not require education authorities to remove or alter a physical feature, or to provide auxiliary aids or services. These duties not to discriminate came into force on 1 September 2002.Ensuring accessibility in respect of access to school buildings is one aspect of the Education (Disability Strategies and Pupils' Educational Records) (Scotland) Act 2002. Initial accessibility strategies, prepared under the act by 1 April 2003, are now being implemented by all providers of school education. These strategies plan improvements to be made, over time, to the physical environment of the school and other places where school education is provided. Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, relating to Rights of Access, Facilities, Services and Premises, will commence from 1 October 2004. This will apply to any service providers using a school for purposes other than education or associated services.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what new initiatives will be introduced to increase teacher numbers to 53,000 by 2007, as referred to in A Partnership for a Better Scotland.
Answer
The increase in teacher numbers to 53,000 by 2007 is being discussed with education authorities, the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and universities. Any new initiatives will be announced as and when appropriate.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applicants to the Teacher Induction Scheme have not taken up the place offered to them.
Answer
One thousand, nine hundred and ninety-five students were offered places on the Teacher Induction Scheme at the beginning of June. As at 7 July, 75 have indicated that they will not take up the places they have been offered.The table indicates the reasons why people will not be taking up their places.
| Reason for Not Taking Up Place | Number of Students |
| Withdrawn from or not completed course | 34 |
| Deferral till 2004 scheme | 5 |
| Going outwith Scotland | 9 |
| Joining independent sector | 7 |
| Personal/family reasons | 7 |
| Other/not specified | 13 |
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what the legislative framework is for health and safety issues on school trips.
Answer
Those responsible for schools must consider their common law obligations as well as any statutory duties in respect of the health and safety of staff and pupils on school trips. There are general legislative provisions for health and safety in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, but there may be other specific provisions applicable depending on the nature of the trip, activities being undertaken, accommodation or transport being used.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding for the Millennium Volunteers programme will be extended beyond September 2003.
Answer
I have asked Volunteer Development Scotland to undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of our current strategy for volunteering, including the future of the Millennium Volunteers programme. Accordingly, funding for the programme will extend until 31 December 2003 while the review is undertaken.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom McCabe on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it will allocate to youth cafis.
Answer
Funding for Youth CAFEs (Community Alcohol Free Environments) is provided within resources allocated to local authorities and NHS boards but is not identified specifically by the Executive. The plans of Alcohol Action Teams will allow us to assess the current provision and future plans for such facilities.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will facilitate the establishment of a central unit to co-ordinate health and safety issues in respect of school trips that involve taking pupils abroad.
Answer
We have no plans to facilitate the establishment of such a unit. The review of guidance which is currently under way will consider how best practice can be shared, not just in respect of school trips abroad.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to schools to ensure the safety of pupils on school trips.
Answer
Local authorities and other managers of schools are responsible for taking reasonable care of pupils in their charge, and it is for them to consider what support it is necessary to give to schools in that context.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, probationer teachers trained in the north east received places in that region under the Teacher Induction Scheme.
Answer
Two hundred and sixty-four Aberdeen University students applied to join the Teacher Induction Scheme in August 2003. One hundred and thirty-two (50%) have been allocated either to Aberdeen City Council or Aberdeenshire Council.Of the other 132, 60 (23% of the total) were allocated to an authority higher on their preference list than either Aberdeen City Council or Aberdeenshire Council and 55 (21% of the total) did not indicate a preference to work with either of those authorities. The remaining 17 (6% of the total) indicated a preference to work in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire. However, no vacancies existed for these teachers and they were allocated to other authorities on their preference lists.
