That the Parliament understands that local authorities have a statutory duty to provide out-of-school and holiday care for children classified as “in need”, which includes those who are disabled; is concerned by reports that many families of children with additional support needs are unable to find out-of-school care during holiday periods, including in Dundee and its surrounding areas; believes that the struggle to balance care-giving with employment can lead to routines being disrupted and is a cause of significant distress to families; further believes that reductions to local authority and third-sector organisations' budgets have contributed to these issues, and notes the view that the Scottish Government and local authorities should take action to ensure that families of children with additional support needs do not face another summer of uncertainty and disruption.
Supported by:
Foysol Choudhury, Monica Lennon, Paul O'Kane, Alex Rowley, Paul Sweeney, Mercedes Villalba, Martin Whitfield, Elena Whitham