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Additional Learning Needs

Additional Learning Needs and Educational Tribunal (Wales) Act

The Welsh Government is planning to transform the way children with additional learning needs are supported in Wales and is currently consulting with education professionals about it. A brief guide for parents can be accessed by clicking on the following links:

For more information, please contact Sarah Jones (Deputy Headteacher) or Libby Morris (ALNCO)

The Welsh Government is committed to creating a fully inclusive education system where all learners are inspired, motivated and supported to reach their potential. Every learner should have access to an education that meets their needs and enables them to participate in, benefit from, and enjoy learning. Our vision is of a unified, equitable and non-adversarial system which supports and promotes the rights of all children and young people.

The additional learning needs (ALN) system contributes to the well-being goals provided in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, in particular of a more equal, healthier, prosperous and resilient Wales, and promotes the sustainable development principles of long term, prevention, collaboration and involvement

It promotes equality by providing the right to a statutory plan for all learners with ALN regardless of the severity of need, which follows them throughout their education – from pre-school to college – providing consistency, continuity and the assurance that provision and rights are protected.

Services must fully inform and involve children and young people in decisions about their support. Learners’ views, wishes and feelings are at the heart of the process of planning the support necessary to enable them to overcome barriers to learning. Priority placed within the ALN system on early intervention, ensuring needs are identified early, the right provision is put in place promptly, and multi-agency working to support learners and deliver effective and prudent interventions supports the healthier goal.

The emphasis on learners being encouraged to have high aspirations, supported to achieve educationally, and to go on to live fulfilling lives and make a full contribution to society, including through employment, links to the goals of prosperity and resilience.

The main changes are:

  1. Greater focus on ensuring the child or young person is at the heart of decision making
  2. Greater equality of entitlement from 0 – 25
  3. Creation of one unified plan – The IDP to replace the statement of special educational needs
  4. Greater emphasis on collaboration between agencies
  5. Greater emphasis on person centred planning

Access and Inclusion website:

www.rctcbc.gov.uk/AccessandInclusiontoEducation.aspx