This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter.

A few days ago, a group of leading care and education charities warned that Scotland risks creating a “lost generation of vulnerable children”.

This intervention came after School Leaders Scotland (SLS), which represents secondary school staff like headteachers and deputes, released a report suggesting that the system as it stands is “not fit for purpose”.

Members said that the amount of support available to schools has fallen while the level of need amongst pupils (and their families) has massively increased. At the same time, it has become harder and harder to access specialist provision for those who really need it.

At the end of last year, The Herald ran a special series looking at the state of ASN in Scotland’s schools. We heard many of the same concerns and some truly heartbreaking stories. Since then teachers have continued to ring the alarm bell, and parents have continued to talk about desperate battles to protect their children.

Things are bad and getting worse – and vulnerable pupils are the ones ultimately paying the price in the shape of poorer (sometimes hellish) school experiences, education outcomes, post-school destinations, and life chances.

To be clear, the numbers we’re talking about are extraordinary.

In 2007, 5.3 percent of the national school roll was identified as requiring additional support; by 2024, that figure had........

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