§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what responsibilities local education authorities have for undertaking medical examinations and assessments of children commencing school education within their areas in public and private schools, respectively.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 requires education authorities to facilitate, encourage and assist the medical inspection of pupils in schools under their management. Medical inspection and supervision of such pupils, including the examination of children on school entry, is a function delegated to health boards. These responsibilities do not extend to private shcools.
Authorities have a further duty, under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, as amended, to establish by assessment, including medical examination, which children of school age belonging to their area have marked and continuing special educational needs.