MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Education: This term marks the start of the final year of the
phased implementation of the Additional Learning Needs system.
Over the last three years delivery partners have worked
incredibly hard to set up systems of support for learners with
ALN and create individual development plans. This will be the
last year of the Special Education Needs system that we are
working hard to replace, following many years of development and
co-production.
I have heard about the challenges that remain and I am clear that
we need to have a system that works for every learner. Now is the
time to combine reflection with decisive action to embed
necessary improvements.
We have already strengthened monitoring and support for
implementation to understand delivery challenges, improve
consistency of implementation and co-produce solutions with
delivery partners and parents. This includes termly meetings with
local authorities, as well as developing new national data sets
and data collection mechanisms in education, local authorities,
and health. Estyn's second thematic review of the implementation
of ALN reform will report during the winter and a comprehensive
evaluation programme is already underway.
I want the legislative framework for ALN to be clear and
consistently understood. Therefore, in response to evidence and
concerns that some parts are complex and unclear we are now
examining the legislative framework in detail and in discussion
with delivery partners. The review is considering the clarity and
accessibility of the legislative framework and gathering evidence
of the practical challenges in implementing the ALN system.
This will identify next steps to provide greater clarity to
enable increased consistency of delivery. Meanwhile, work is
underway with local authorities, schools, and settings to improve
understanding and ensure roles, responsibilities and processes
contained in the legislation are consistently applied.
We are also improving health and education multiagency working.
Challenges to accessing health services for all learners are
long-standing but we now have the structures in place to make
real change. An ALN multiagency collaborative group is working
together to improve collaboration between health, social care and
education services to provide clarity over what constitutes NHS
additional learning provision and develop key performance
indicators to monitor statutory timelines and highlight areas of
effective practice.
I am committed to investing in ALN reform. In addition to more
than £107 million revenue investment to support ALN
implementation since 2020, more than £170 million capital
investment over the past five years has improved ALN facilities.
Over the next nine years, we will invest over £750 million to
improve existing facilities and create new specialist provision,
through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
The statutory role of an Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator
(ALNCo) is a fundamental lynchpin to the success of ALN Reform in
education settings across Wales. I welcomed the recommendations of the
Independent Welsh Pay Review Body. We will be taking forward
work to implement the recommendations related to ALNCO pay,
including providing an extra £5million to invest in our ALNCo
workforce.
I have witnessed incredible progress and commitment from the
education workforce, with examples of schools putting the needs
of every child first. We are sharing effective practice through
case studies, national forums and will be holding a national ALN
effective practice event in February. This will foster
collaboration and knowledge-sharing among key delivery partners,
and highlight successful strategies being implemented by schools,
settings and local authorities across Wales.
Crucially, we are also working with parent groups and the third
sector to improve and provide clear and consistent communication,
and review what information and signposting is available to
parents, children and young people.
I am determined that meeting the needs of learners remains at the
heart of our education reforms. I will keep the Senedd updated on
progress.
