Additional Learning Needs

ALN Reform

Additional Learning Needs (ALN)

The Welsh Government has passed new legislation called the Additional Learning Needs (Wales) Act, and Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Code, which will replace all of the legislation and guidance in relation to special educational needs.  As part of the Additional Learning Needs Educational Tribunal (ALNET) (Wales) Act 2018, the Welsh Government has replaced the term 'special educational needs' (SEN) with 'additional learning needs' (ALN). The law is changing for several reasons, but the main one is to make the process simpler and more transparent for all involved.

The new law for supporting children and young people with ALN will bring about several main changes including:

• bringing together all current systems into a new, single system for ALN

• being learner-centred 

• providing learners with the same rights and entitlements whatever their age or setting

• improving transition between settings

• providing Welsh language provision where needed

• being a fair and transparent system for all.

These changes mean that children and parent(s)/ carer(s) and young people will:

• access the support they need earlier

• be more involved in making decisions about the support they need

• be able to find information more easily

• be supported if they disagree with decisions.

However, the definition of ALN is different and you may find that your child currently has SEN but will not have ALN. This should not affect the support and help they receive in school.

ALN will cover those who:

• have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age

• have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of the educational facilities generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream maintained school or Further Education Institute.

ALN Explained

There are four main areas associated with additional learning needs.

1. Communication and Interaction

2. Cognition and Learning

3. Behaviour, Emotional and Social Development

4. Sensory and/or physical

More information on each of these areas can be found on p35 of the ALN Code 2021. https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2022-06/220622-the-additional-learning-needs-code-for-wales-2021.pdf

What will change?

Many of these children and young people will continue to have their needs met through high quality and routine classroom practice. There will be a few children and young people who have a learning difficulty or disability that calls for additional learning provision (ALP). This is provision that is additional to or different from that made generally available for others of the same age. These children and young people will have an individual development plan (IDP).

ALN at Willowtown Primary School

Over the past few years we have implemented changes to our existing procedures to become compliant with the ALN Code.

• We use Person Centred Practice (PCP) in review meetings.

• We use Individual Development Plans (IDPs).

• One Page Profiles share what we like and admire about pupils and what is going well, and describe ways we can support their ALN with additional learning provision (ALP).

• We believe in early identification of barriers to learning and interventions.

• We plan for transitions.

• We collaborate with others to enable pupils with ALN to thrive.

• We promote inclusive, accessible learning environment’s to meet the diverse needs of our pupils.

• We use a wide range of interventions and strategies to support pupils to reach their potential.

• We support the emotional wellbeing of pupils with THRIVE and ELSA.

• We work alongside LA specialist teams, the Educational Psychology Service, Inclusive Practise Service, Mental Health Inreach and Health professionals.

The ALNCo is Mrs Rebecca Dix

Willowtown Wellbeing

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