Corseford college faces closure amid calls for Scottish Government to commit cash

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Scotland’s only dedicated further education institution for young people with complex needs faces closure unless long-term funding is secured.

Capability Scotland has warned its Corseford College in Inchinnan will be forced to close its doors to vulnerable young people in 2025 if more cash is not forthcoming from the Scottish Government.

The college opened in 2022 under an initial two-year pilot scheme – and achieved funding for a further year from the Scottish Government.

However, no commitment has been made for sustained funding, leaving the college at risk of closure at the end of this academic year, June 2025.

Capability Scotland is now advocating for robust, cross-party support to secure the college’s future and to expand similar services across the country.

Brian Logan, chief executive of Capability Scotland, said the Scottish Government should be seeking to expand services for young people as opposed to refusing to commit to fund the only existing service in the country.

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He said: “We are committed to working with the government and communities to ensure that no young person in Scotland is left without the opportunity to grow, learn and develop in a supportive environment.

“The demand is clear – Scotland needs more than just a single college to serve its young people with complex needs.

“Sustained government support is vital for us to ensure that no young person is deprived of the chance to continue their education and build their skills in an inclusive and specialised environment.”

Since its opening, Corseford College has provided its students with not only essential education but also physical therapies, life skills training, and comprehensive care.

This holistic approach has made a significant difference to students and families who now face the uncertainty of losing this resource.

Capability Scotland’s campaign has won the support of Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Alison Taylor who recently visited the campus.

Highlighting the transformative impact the facility has had on its 38 students, she said: “Corseford College stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for young people with complex needs in Scotland.

“This college exemplifies how every young person, regardless of their needs, can be supported to achieve a fulfilling education and life skills.

“I am calling on the Scottish Government to not only safeguard funding for Corseford; but to look at expanding this model so every young person in Scotland has access to a positive destination after school.

The funding crisis comes weeks after Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced in her budget that an additional £1 billion would be given to support special education needs and disabilities in England.

Capability Scotland remains dedicated to finding sustainable solutions and is exploring private funding to supplement government support, but stresses that long-term investment from the Scottish Government is essential to maintaining and growing this pioneering service.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “It is vital that young people with disabilities and those with long-term medical conditions or additional support needs are supported as they leave school towards positive destinations.

“Over the past three years, more than £1 million has been provided to Capability Scotland to support the Corseford pilot for young people with complex additional support needs, delivering bespoke learning, physical therapies and life-skills development.

“An independent evaluation of the pilot will allow us to explore a sustainable approach to specialist provision going forward.”

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