Additional Learning Needs

ALNET is the Additional Learning Needs Education Tribunal Act 2018. It is a new legal framework which changes the way learners with ALN are supported.

When a child has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than their peers or has a disability that impacts on their access to education, they may have ALN. Children with ALN require support that is different or additional to what schools usually offer. The extra support is called Additional Learning Provision or ALP. The process of deciding whether a child has ALN can take up to 35 days.

The school's Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo) is the Designated Coordinator who will guide you and your child through the whole ALN process.

You and your child will be invited to school to attend a person-centred meeting. Others who know your child including teachers, specialist teachers, social workers and health professionals may be asked to attend or send reports to contribute their views. Together you will discuss your child and decide whether they have ALN that requires Additional Learning Provision (ALP).

If your child has ALN an Individual Development Plan (IDP) will be prepared based on the information shared in the person-centred meeting. An IDP is an agreed plan of how your child with ALN will be supported and by whom. In most instances an IDP will be prepared and reviewed by the school.

An IDP will consist of:

• General information (for example, name, age and address);
• A One Page Profile (OPP) highlighting what’s important to your child and how best the school can support them and meet their needs;
• A description of your child’s ALN; and
• What the school will provide that is different or additional to what is currently available (ALP).

The IDP has to be reviewed within one calendar year but can be reviewed earlier if there has been a significant change of circumstances. The review meeting will take a similar format to the first meeting.

If you have any concerns regarding the content of the IDP please talk to your Designated Coordinator in the first instance as they are best placed to help you. If you cannot resolve your concerns or issues, the local authority has people who can help.

If the disagreement relates to NHS assessment, treatment or service you should speak with your health provider in the first instance.

When help is needed it can be sought from an advocate. An advocate is someone who will attend meetings with you and speak on your behalf. They can be a friend, family member or from a professional agency. If you need a professional advocate, please contact SNAP Cymru.

The school should be able to assist you fully. You can also contact the local authority for any information regarding Additional Learning Needs or Individual Development Plans. Contact the ALN Helpline on 029 20872731 or email ALNHelpline@cardiff.gov.uk.

• It considers the wishes, views and aspirations of the child.
• The child is the focus. It considers the whole person and not simply what they can’t do or their diagnosis.
• The child and their parents/carers are at the centre of the planning and decision making.
• It involves all those who live, work and spend time with the child/young person (family, health, playgroup, education, social care – a multi-agency approach).
• It’s about on-going listening, observing and learning.

A school or Local Authority may arrange a Person-Centred Meeting in order to gather information from everyone who is involved in supporting your child. This may be to support their healthcare, educational or wellbeing needs at school.

Together, a decision could be made as to whether your child has Additional Learning Needs which requires Additional Learning Provision or whether appropriate referrals need to be made.

The person leading the meeting will:

• Make sure that you and your child are involved
• Invite relevant professionals actively involved
• Arrange a suitable meeting place
• Gather information
• Answer any questions you have

Prior to the meeting everyone needs to think about the following questions:

• What we like and admire about the child
• What’s important to the child
• What’s working
• What’s not working
• What’s important for the child now and in the future

The person leading the meeting will try to make everyone feel welcome. The meeting will be as interactive as possible and everyone will have an equal chance to contribute. You will discuss:

• Who's present
• What we like and admire about the child
• What's important to...
• What's important for...
• What's working (needs to be continued)
• What's not working (could be better)
• Unresolved questions
• Action plan

All of this information will be discussed at the meeting and this information will be used to put an Action Plan in place to support your child at school.

A One Page Profile may be developed with you or your child before or during the Person Centred Meeting. The One Page Profile aims to give a positive snapshot of your child, including: What is great about your child, what is important to your child and how can we support them?

A One Page Profile can be developed further and information added following the Person Centred Meeting. A One Page Profile can also be written as a result of the Person Centred Meeting.

A Person Centred Meeting or Review will be held by the school or Local Authority in order to put a plan in place to support your child. A Person Centred approach is not a process to be done to the person and it is not a static plan, template or document.

The information gathered at the Person Centred Meeting or Review can be used to inform a range of plans such as an Individual Healthcare Plan, a One Page Profile or an Individual Development Plan.

All plans will be reviewed with you and your child at least once a year or sooner if there is a significant change in your child’s life.