Dear Parent / Carer - Download the letter ALN_reforms_2021
As we have shared with you previously, the system for supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disability in Wales is changing.
Yesterday Jeremy Miles, the Minister for Education, gave an update on the phased implementation of the new ALN system. Despite continued activity and significant progress, it has become clear that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in plans being revisited. He shared that all partners require further space and time to manage and plan for aspects of this important reform to ensure successful delivery of new arrangements and the best for children in Wales.
Written Statement: Additional Learning Needs and Educational Tribunal Act 2018
Implementation (14 July 2021) | GOV.WALES The implementation of the ALN system for the first year will now be sequenced.
From 1 September 2021, the ALN system will commence for children who:
• are or are newly identified as having additional learning needs, (that is, those without already identified special educational needs (SEN), or are not awaiting or undergoing an SEN assessment)
From 1st January 2022, the ALN system will commence for children who:
• attend maintained schools (including Pupil Referral Units PRU’s) in Nursery Years 1 and 2 (N1 and N2) and Year 1, Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 10 who have special educational provision via early years action / early years action plus or school action / school action plus.
Welsh Government will publish guidance for parents and families in the Autumn Term.
If you would like any additional information or advice, please contact our Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator or contact SNAP Cymru who offer free independent advice and support to parents by visiting: www.snapcymru.org or call their helpline on: 0808 801 0608
I hope you find the information in this letter reassuring. School and other agencies will continue to work together, to reflect on guidance and carry on with the preparatory work to secure the best outcomes for our learners.
Additional Information
The interactive e-learning course giving an introduction to the new ALN system is now available on the Welsh Government's Hwb platform. Here is a Hwb news article introducing the course, which is currently on the Hwb homepage:
https://hwb.gov.wales/news/articles/20686965-8669-40ac-bdc5-599f4a4dfe8b And here is the link to the course itself: https://hwb.gov.wales/repository/publishers/9fb2afc9-6408-4aa3-9474-3c745006535b/resource/c8033263-aaa0-42fc-9511-ab7d33bd8084/en
Welsh Government web-site: https://gov.wales/additional-learning-needs-special-educationalneeds
Yours faithfully,
Neil Foley - B.Sc. MA.
Pennaeth Headteacher
Andrew Christian
ALNCo