Additional Learning Needs

What are the changes?

The support available to young people under the age of 25 who need additional help to enable them to progress according to their ability is being reviewed.

 Legislation to create a new approach to supporting learners with additional learning needs (ALN) was introduced to the National Assembly for Wales on 12th December 2016 – that is, the Additional Learning Needs and Educational Tribunal (Wales) Bill.

The full statement is available on the Welsh Government website.

The Welsh Government have created a video and information leaflets to help explain the changes.

Gwynedd Council and Isle of Anglesey Council are now collaborating to create an overall ALN and Inclusion Strategy for both LEA’s.

Gwynedd Council Cabinet and Isle of Anglesey Working Committee gave their approval to this in September 2016. One Integrated Team of specialists will support children and young people with additional learning needs, and/or inclusion across both authorities. We are in the process of restructuring the Service, with the Integrated Team operational from September 2017, and in time all provision will be reconciled across both authorities. This collaboration has led to drawing up of a detailed Strategy Document that will provide detailed information and clear guidelines on the possible provision for each specialist Service.

• A draft copy of the ALN Strategy for Gwynedd and Anglesey
• Executive Summary

 

Individual Development Plans

 One prominent aspect of the changes is that SEN Statements will be replaced by new Individual Development Plans (IDP) – but that will have the same legal enforcement.

• An IDP template can be seen here

To create an IDP, a process called Person Centred Planning will be used, that will ensure the the views of pupils and parents are always considered throughout the planning process and that the child or young person is at the centre of everything.

During 2016-2017 Gwynedd Council and Isle of Anglesey Council have begun to hold reviews using the Person Centred approach.

• What is Person Centred Planning?
• What is a Person Centred Review? 

The video below explains what is a Person Centred Review:

 

Contact us

For further information contact: AdolygiadADYaCh@gwynedd.llyw.cymru