The ALN Transformation Programme The Additional Learning Needs

The ALN Transformation Programme

The Additional Learning Needs transformation programme Consists of 5 main themes: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Legislation and statutory guidance Implementation/ transition support Workforce development Awareness-raising Supporting policy

The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill • The Bill will create the legislative framework to improve the planning and delivery of additional learning provision, through a person-centred approach to identifying needs early, putting in place effective support and monitoring and adapting interventions to ensure they deliver desired outcomes. • The Bill was introduced to the National Assembly for Wales on 12 December 2016.

The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill • Introduce the term Additional Learning Needs (ALN) – To replace the terms Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (LDD). • 0 -25 age range – All children and young people will have the same rights to receive the provision they require, as well as improving transition between school and post-16 education. • A single statutory plan – The Individual Development Plan (IDP). This will replace the variety of statutory and non-statutory plans for learners in schools and FE.

The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill • Increased participation of children and young people – Learners’ opinions, along with those of their parents, should always be considered as part of the planning process. • High aspirations and improving outcomes – Emphasis on delivering tangible outcomes that contribute to the child or young person’s achievement of their full potential. • Simpler and less adversarial – A simpler process to provide and revise an IDP to ensure it continually meets the needs of the learner. • Increased collaboration – Reforms will encourage improved collaboration and information sharing between agencies.

The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill • Earlier disagreement resolution – Where disagreements occur the matter should be considered and resolved at the most local level possible. • Clear and consistent rights of appeal – All children, their parents and young people will have a right to appeal to the Tribunal where disagreements can not be resolved at a local level. • A mandatory Code – The primary legislation will be supported by the ALN Code which will provide both mandatory requirements and statutory guidance.

The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill • The Bill will be supported by: 1. Regulations – secondary legislation where further detail is required. 2. Additional Learning Needs Code – statutory guidance and mandatory requirements to help people and organisations work within the law.

Implementation of the ALN Bill • A consultation on options for implementing the ALN Bill closed on 09 June 2017. • The consultation responses will be reviewed and used to inform the Welsh Governments thinking on how we move to the new system.

Implementation of the ALN Bill

Implementation/ transition support • To help prepare for the new system the Welsh Government will be investing £ 20 m over the next 4 years. • £ 1. 1 m of that investment is being provided via the ALN Innovation fund.

Implementation/ transition support

Workforce Development A skilled workforce is central to the transformation programme and will impact at three levels: – Core skills development for all practitioners to support a wide range of low complexity, high incidence ALN within settings and access to ongoing professional development; – Advanced skills development through the development of the role of Additional Learning Needs Coordinators (ALNCo), who will replace current SENCos; – Specialist skills development through a national workforce planning system for LA-provided specialist support services available to education settings, e. g. educational psychologists and teachers of the visually or hearing impaired.

Workforce Development

Awareness Raising Essential to help all those in the system understand • the evidence for best practice, • what can be expected from interventions, • the interventions that are likely to be most effective, and • the role of professionals to help ensure realistic expectations and effective deployment of resources.

Supporting Policy • Important not to lose sight of the provision of effective policy guidance to ensure that good practice is supported and embedded in the current SEN system as well as the future ALN system.

Progress and next steps • Regional and Further Education transformation leads • Transition guide • Readiness, compliance and impact monitoring

Progress and next steps

www. gov. wales/ALN SENreforms@wales. gsi. gov. uk