Plans to create eight new education provisions to support children with complex additional support needs to learn in Perth and Kinross Council schools have been unveiled.
Perth and Kinross Council's Learning and Families Committee will be asked to consider the plans when it meets on Wednesday, January 29.
Almost 7000 children and young people in Perth and Kinross Council schools have been identified as having additional support needs, almost four out of every 10 pupils (39%).
This is an increase of over 750 children and young people since 2021.
Currently, PKC has fifteen Intensive Support Provisions (ISPs) across nine primary and six secondary schools, serving 300 children aged 5 to 18.
A feasibility study highlighted the need for more ISP placements and better geographical distribution to improve educational and social experiences for children and young people and reduce travel costs.
A report to the committee recommends creating eight new ISPs through recently announced Scottish Government funding and redistribution of existing Perth and Kinross Council resources.
This will mean all children and young people who need this type of education provision will be able to do so closer to their homes, enabling them to build better community connections for the future.
Other options for consideration include maintaining existing provision or creating additional ISPs through the redistribution of existing resources. Both options would maintain ISP placements at current levels.
If the proposed plan to create eight new ISPs is approved, it will be implemented in three phases over the next four years.
The first will see the development of ISPs at Kinross High School, Perth High School and a primary school within the Perth Academy catchment area once statutory consultations are completed.
Phases two and three will see the creation of a further five ISPs.
Councillor John Rebbeck, convener of Perth and Kinross Council's Learning and Families Committee said: "Many of our ISPs are over-capacity and we know the number of children with complex additional support needs who require intensive-level learning opportunities is rising.
"We want to give every child the best start in life so they can fulfil their potential and creating new ISPs will help ensure all our children receive the education they need and deserve.
"The development is part of our Additional Support Needs (ASN) Transformation Programme which aims to significantly improve the educational experience for children and young people with additional support needs in Perth and Kinross.
"We know there are still many challenges ahead but I believe this is an important and necessary step in the right direction. The programme's vision is to help these children thrive, gain independence, and lead fulfilling lives by ensuring they can access the best possible learning environment and support whilst in Perth and Kinross Council Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings or schools.
"Access to education and learning close to their home communities will help our children and young people with complex needs to reach their potential"
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