A package of support designed to help learners and families
navigate the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system has been
announced, following a review of ALN legislation, listening to
families and learnt lessons from delivery across Wales.
This includes a new ALN parent and carer
toolkit, which has been published and developed
collaboratively with parents, carers, and professionals. The
toolkit provides a range of resources to explain how the ALN
system works, outlines the support available for children, young
people and parents, as well as setting out their rights under ALN
legislation.
The toolkit and all supporting materials are available in
accessible formats, including BSL and Easy Read and available in
English and Welsh.
The Education Secretary has also announced more national support
for schools, colleges, and local authorities to increase
consistency of delivery, and a consultation on a new national ALN
data set to understand national performance and inform
improvement.
A further £8.2m in funding will also be allocated this year to
local authorities, education settings and colleges to improve
delivery of ALN reforms.
This is in addition to £150 million revenue invested over the
last 4 years to help key partners implement the ALN system and
lead whole-school strategies to embed inclusive education, as
well as more than £170 million capital funding to improve
facilities and infrastructure for ALN learners through the
Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
The Cabinet Secretary recently visited Pencaerau Primary school,
to speak to teachers, staff and parents to discuss Additional
Learning Needs provision, alongside seeing the new
Specialist Resource Base.
An independent review of ALN advocacy provision across Wales has
also been confirmed. This important review will help strengthen
support for children, young people, and their families. Gareth
Morgans has been announced as the independent lead of the review.
Gareth brings extensive experience in public service evaluation,
policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement within the education
sector. His previous roles include Director of Education and
Children's Services at Carmarthenshire County Council, and he has
a strong background in school leadership, inclusion, and local
authority education services.
Cabinet Secretary for Education, said: “What matters to me is
that we have an education system where all learners' needs are
understood and responded to with the right support in place.
“I am pleased that Gareth Morgans will be undertaking the review
of the ALN advocacy provision to help amplify the voice of
parents and carers."
“The new toolkit responds directly to parents and carers who have
asked for clearer, simpler and more consistent information about
the ALN system”.
“This review and toolkit is part of an initial programme of
support aimed at strengthening support for children, young
people, and their families, ensuring they are empowered and
well-informed throughout their ALN journey”.
One of the parents who has collaborated in producing the new
toolkit, said: "When my eldest child started to struggle in
school, I didn't know what the process was or what I could do to
help him. I searched for advice as you do but there was so much
conflicting information out there. Having this toolkit would have
been really helpful at the beginning to help me understand the
process".
