The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 is a new statutory framework for supporting children and young people with Additional Learning Needs in Wales. Alongside the Act, the Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales 2021 provides guidance to ensure that children and young people have their learning needs identified early and addressed quickly to enable them to reach their full potential.
The new legislation replaces the Education Act (1996) and the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (Wales) 2002.
The new legislation replaces the Education Act (1996) and the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (Wales) 2002.
In The Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales 2021, the objectives of the ALN reform are:
- ALN to replace term SEN
- Act to cover 0-25 year olds
- A unified statutory plan – the individual development plan
- Increased participation of children and young people; Person Centred Practice
- High aspirations and improved outcomes
- A simpler less adversarial system
- Increased collaboration
- Avoiding disagreements and earlier disagreement resolution
- Clear and consistent rights of appeal
- The ALN Code
- A bilingual system
Principles underpinning the ALN system aim to support the creation of a fully inclusive education system where all learners are given the opportunity to succeed and have access to an education that meets their needs and enables them to participate in, and benefit from, and enjoy learning. This includes:
- A rights-based approach where the views, wishes and feelings of the child, child’s parents/carers or young person are central to planning and provision of support.
- Early identification, intervention and effective transition planning.
- Collaboration where all involved work together in the best interests of the child or young person.
- Inclusive education supports participation fully in mainstream education, wherever feasible and a whole setting approach to meeting the needs of learners with ALN.
- A bilingual system where all reasonable steps are taken to deliver Additional Learning Provision in Welsh.