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Additional Learning Needs

All children and young people will have their educational needs met within mainstream schools or local further education institutes (FEIs). This will be through differentiation and appropriate strategies and targeted interventions within a universal offer of high-quality, inclusive teaching and learning. This may include allowing extra time for tasks, visual prompts and/or some small group activities.

Some learners will need a higher level of help and support, which is additional to or different from what is usually provided. They will be identified as having additional learning needs (ALN) and will require additional learning provision (ALP). Each maintained school has delegated ALN funding to ensure they are able to deliver the interventions and support they provide at universal, targeted, and specific levels. Schools should try to recognise a learner’s difficulty early, so that they can have the right type of help at the earliest opportunity.

All teachers are teachers of children and young people with ALN. However, each school has an Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo). In a small school, the Headteacher or Deputy headteacher may take on this role. In larger schools there may be an ALN team.

The ALNCo will take responsibility for the operation and implementation of the ALN process, in line with the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal Act (2018). This legislation is sometimes referred to as ALNET. They co-ordinate the provision support for children with ALN within the school.

Schools should try to recognise a learner’s difficulty early, so that they can have the right kind of help at the earliest opportunity.

There are several support services and professionals who work closely with the school staff to provide advice on how best to support individual learners; they may provide additional, specialist assessments or they may work directly with the child or young person.

If you have any concerns about your child’s learning or behaviour you should first talk about them with your child’s class teacher. It may be helpful to also speak with the ALNCo. It is very important that you discuss your worries with school/education provider as a first step. They will be able to explain their duties to consider whether your child has ALN and how best to support them.

Categories

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Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Transformation
 What are Additional Learning Needs (ALN)?
 Individual Development Plans - A Unified Plan
 Person-Centered Practice
 Clear and Consistent Rights of Appeal
 Children Under Compulsory School Age
 Post 16

Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Transformation

The Welsh Government has introduced a new law, The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018.

The aim is to have a single system relating to support given to children and young people who have additional learning needs (ALN) and are receiving education and/or training.

The Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales 2021

The ALN Code was issued in 2021 to support the implementation of the new Act. It provides clear, statutory guidance about the ALN system for local authorities, school governing bodies, further education institutes (FEI) and health boards to follow. The Code outlines the duties on these bodies when the possibility that a child or young person who may have ALN comes to their attention.

The Code sets out the duty on maintained schools and FEIs to designate an Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo) who is responsible for ensuring the needs of children with ALN are met. This role is similar to the previous role of Special Educational Needs coordinator (SENCo). 

All health boards are required to have a Designated Education Clinical Lead Officer (DECLO). They are responsible for coordinating the health board duties under the new system.

Moving to the New System 

There is a gradual, phased approach to implementation of the new system. Children already known to have special educational needs (SEN) will transition to the new system over a 4-year period. This includes children at School Action, School Action Plus and those with a Statement of SEN.

Welsh Government has identified a timetable for transition to the new system which schools and the Council will have to implement. Part of the process will be firstly to consider and decide whether the child or young person meets the definition of ALN as outlined within the new Act, that is, that they require ALP. Depending on the decision, a letter called a Notice will be sent to the child’s parents or the young person. Where there is agreement that the child/young person has ALN, as defined within the Act, an ‘IDP Notice’ will be sent. 

Where the decision is that there is no ALN, a ‘No IDP Notice’ will be sent.It is expected that the new system will be fully in place by the end of August 2025.

What are Additional Learning Needs (ALN)?

The legal definition of ALN is in the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018:

  1. A person has additional learning needs if he or she has a learning difficulty or disability (whether the learning difficulty or disability arises from a medical condition or otherwise) which calls for additional learning provision (ALP). 
  2. A child of compulsory school age or person over that age has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she: 
    (a) has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or 
    (b) has a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities for education or training of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream maintained schools or mainstream institutions in the further education sector. 
  3. A child under compulsory school age has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she is, or would be if no additional learning provision were made, likely to be within subsection (2) when of compulsory school age.

The definition of Additional Learning Provision (ALP):

  1. “Additional learning provision” for a person aged three or over means educational or training provision that is additional to, or different from, that made generally for others of the same age in:
    (a) mainstream maintained schools in Wales,
    (b) mainstream institutions in the further education sector in Wales, or
    (c) places in Wales at which nursery education is provided.
  2. “Additional learning provision” for a child aged under three means educational provision of any kind.

Consideration and deciding ALN

Most children and young people in Flintshire will have their educational needs and ALN identified, met and monitored within mainstream schools or local FEIs. This will be through differentiation and access to appropriate strategies and targeted interventions within a universal offer of high-quality education. 

If the possibility of ALN is brought to the attention of a school or FEI, they must consider and decide whether the child or young person does have ALN, which requires ALP.

Schools have 35 school days to decide and if ALN is agreed, prepare the Individual Development Plan (IDP). In cases where Flintshire County Council is required to make the decision, there is a 12-week timeframe to decide and prepare an IDP where ALN is agreed. Both timescales are subject to there being no exceptional circumstances which may result in a delay.

There are a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities, which can be categorised in 4 areas: 

  • communication and interaction
  • cognition and learning
  • behaviour, emotional and social development 
  • sensory and physical

If your child has a medical condition, this does not necessarily mean they have ALN. If they need treatment or a medical procedure in school, they may need an individual healthcare plan.

If you are concerned about your child’s progress and you think they may have ALN that requires ALP, talk to your child’s teacher or the ALN Coordinator (ALNCo) at your child’s school. A child or young person can also make a request themselves.

If you have any questions about additional learning needs or individual development plans, please contact us. 

Tel: xxxx

Email: ALN@flintshire.gov.uk

Welsh Language

If a child or young person needs ALP through the medium of Welsh, the school, FEI or Flintshire County Council must take all reasonable steps to secure the provision.

Flintshire County Council is committed to securing the best outcomes for all children including those with ALN though our educational provision and will make all reasonable attempts to offer specialist services and intervention through the medium of Welsh.

Individual Development Plans - A Unified Plan

Information about a child or young person’s ALN and ALP is written into an Individual Development Plan (IDP). This is a legal document which describes the individual’s needs and the provision that will be made to help them achieve the desired outcomes.

An IDP is usually created and reviewed by the school/FEI, based on the information shared in a person-centred meeting.

It will include: 

  • your child’s details (such as name, age, address)
  • a profile which highlights what is important to your child and how the school can support them and meet their needs
  • a description of your child’s ALN 
  • a description of the ALP (i.e. what the school will provide that is additional or different from what usually is in place for children of the same age) 
  • a record of information
  • a timeline of key events, 
  • transition and transport arrangements. 

Once the IDP is created, it has to be reviewed within 1 year. If there has been a significant change in your child’s circumstances, it can be reviewed earlier. 

For children and young people who are looked after, the IDP will form part of the individual’s Personal Education Plan (PEP).

The development of the IDP involves the child/young person, their parents/carers and all concerned professionals in a collaborative process. Children should be empowered to participate; their views should be listened and taken into account when decisions are being made.

Most children and young people with ALN will have their IDPs prepared and maintained by the school or FEI. The ALP required to meet most individual needs will be met through the delegated budgets.

There are some groups of children who will have their IDPs prepared and maintained by Flintshire County Council. These include children with ALN who require ALP and are either ‘Looked After’, Electively Home Educated or registered in more than one setting. 

All IDPs will be reviewed at a person-centred review, at least annually. A request to hold a review earlier can be made by any relevant person including the child, their parents, or the young person.

Person-Centered Practice

The new ALN system places greater focus on putting the child or young person at the heart of the process when planning, identifying their ALN and determining ALP.  Local Authorities, schools and FEIs must have regard to the views, wishes and feelings of children, their parents, or the young person. 

Schools, FEIs and Flintshire County Council will work collaboratively with children, their parents or the young person when deciding on ALN and ALP.  Where necessary, relevant services such as social care and health services will also be involved. 

There are a range of person-centred tools that schools and Flintshire County Council can use to capture views, wishes and feelings. These tools help support communication, planning and decision making. Information gathered using the tools can be used to develop a One Page Profile, which includes important information under three key headings:

  • What people like and admire about me
  • What is important to me and 
  • How best to support me

Person-centred reviews will ensure everyone’s voice is heard, with all relevant information considered. Welsh Government has developed this useful guide for families.

One Page Profile

A One Page Profile captures all the important information about a person on a single sheet of paper under three simple headings: what people like and admire about me, what’s important to me and how best to support me. 

One Page Profiles are easy to develop and help us to support people better. They help us understand what really matters to the person in their life and the way they are supported to live it.

Person-Centred Meeting / Review

Person-centred meetings are a way of deciding what support is needed for a child or young person with ALN or to decide any changes that need to be made to their support.

It is important that children and young people have the right people involved in their meeting to help them to plan for their future. This means that the meeting can make sure that they have the things that are important to them, as well as the right support to help achieve their aspirations.

Guidance for the Person Centred Meeting/Review (LINK)

Clear and Consistent Rights of Appeal

It is recognised that sometimes disagreements about decisions may arise. In line with the ALN Code 2021, it is important that these are resolved at the earliest opportunity.

If a child, their parent/carer or the young person is not in agreement with school decisions about ALN and ALP, they can request that Flintshire County Council re-considers the matter. Following this re-consideration process, the Council will make a decision. It has 7 weeks to decide and if it is agreed that there are ALN, to prepare an IDP. This timescale is subject to there being no exceptional circumstances which may result in a delay.

All children, their parents/carers and young people have the right to appeal to the Education Tribunal against decisions made by Flintshire County Council or further education institute (FEI) in relation to their ALN or their IDP. 

When the school, FEI or Flintshire County Council make a decision about ALN, a letter and leaflet is given, which explains how children, their parents or the young person can exercise their rights.

Families in Flintshire will be able to access the new regional ALN Information and Support Service (ALNISS). This service is provided by SNAP Cymru and will offer impartial information, advice and support for children and their parents or carers and young people who have/or may have additional learning needs. This includes dispute resolution and ALN issue-based advocacy for children and young people.  

You can find out more about SNAP Cymru on their website.

You can find out more about the Education Tribunal for Wales on their website.

Children Under Compulsory School Age

Flintshire County Council has an Early Years Additional Learning Needs Lead Officer (ALNLO).  Their role covers children under compulsory school age who do not attend a maintained school.  They are responsible for coordinating our council duties, raising awareness of ALN, and promoting early identification of need.

Some children have complex needs. The setting or health professional involved with your child will need to notify us that your child may have ALN.

If you have concerns about your child’s progress, you should discuss this with the setting or your health visitor. The setting can talk to you about what they have in place and how they are meeting your child’s needs.

You can contact our EYALNLO by email: xxxx

Post-16

For most young people with ALN, they can attend local college/Further Education Institution (FEI). The FEI will be responsible for taking responsibility for an IDP that was maintained by a school or they will prepare and maintain an IDP where required. 

Where a learner has a local authority maintained IDP, Flintshire County Council will make decisions for these young people in preparation for their transition to post-compulsory education. The first step is to identify the young person’s desired outcomes and then identify suitable programmes of study, which is a course of further education or training.

In a very small number of cases, specialist placement may be required. Flintshire County Council have a duty to first consider programmes of study at mainstream FEI. The ALN Code includes details of the responsibilities placed upon local authorities with regards to placements at independent specialist post-16 institutions (ISPIs). 

A young person is entitled to up to 2 years of further education or training. Beyond that, a local authority may determine that a young person has reasonable needs for education or training in particular circumstances.

An advocate can offer more support during the transition process. If a young person would like an advocate, they can ask their school, FEI, or social worker. A young person can also get help from a case friend or representative if they need help making decisions.