Return to Starting Schools Booklet Contents Page
What if my child has Additional Learning Needs?
The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 was introduced by Welsh Government, with the aim of having a single system relating to support given to children and young people who have additional learning needs (ALN) and are receiving education. The ALN Code was issued in 2021 to support the implementation of the new Act. It provides clear, statutory guidance about the ALN system for local authorities and school governing bodies to follow. The ALN Code outlines the duties on schools when the possibility that a child or young person who may have ALN, comes to their attention.
The ALN Code sets out the duty on maintained schools to designate an Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo) who is responsible for ensuring the needs of children with ALN are met. The ALNET Act states that a person has additional learning needs if they have a learning difficulty or disability, which calls for additional learning provision (ALP). The definition of ALN covers learners whose learning difficulty or disability arises from a medical condition. However, children who have a medical need that does not impact on their learning, could be supported through an Individual Health Care Plan.
It is important to recognise that children make progress at different rates. Almost all children with ALN in Monmouthshire, will have their needs met successfully by their local schools. Each school has an ALNCO (Additional Learning Needs Coordinator) and an ALN Governor who, with the Head teacher and staff, are responsible for ensuring that the additional and different needs of children with ALN are identified and met.
A child would not have ALN if their lack of progress or difficulties can be addressed through differentiated teaching, most children and young people will require a differentiated approach in some aspect of their education at some point. Differentiated teaching does not itself, constitute ALP. ALP refers to additional or different targeted educational provision, which goes beyond that generally made available in the classroom. If you are concerned about your child’s progress and you think they may have ALN that requires ALP, talk to your child’s teacher or the ALN Coordinator (ALNCo) at your child’s school.
If the possibility of ALN is brought to the attention of a school, they must consider and decide whether a child has ALN, which requires ALP. Schools have 35 school days to make a decision. If the outcome of the assessment process confirms that a child has ALN which requires ALP, the school will prepare an Individual Development Plan (IDP). Monmouthshire local authority is required to make the decision for children attending non-maintained settings, specialist resource bases (SRBs) or who are looked after. The local authority has a 12- week timeframe to decide and prepare an IDP where ALN is agreed.
All schools are required by law to provide additional individual planning, resources and support for children with ALN. Schools in Monmouthshire can access support and advice from specialist educational services for children with sensory impairments, communication difficulties or with literacy difficulties. Schools are also supported by Educational Psychologists and the Education Support Team (EST). Schools can apply for specialist outreach advice and also request support from health service specialists to help them meet the needs of children with a barrier to learning.
What if the local school cannot meet my child’s Additional Learning Needs?
For children or young people with the most significant and complex needs, a specialist resource base (SRB) or special school may be considered more appropriate. Admission to any specialist setting must be considered and agreed by the local authority panel.
If my child has Additional Learning Needs, where will he/ she be educated?
The local authority aims to support the majority of children with ALN within their local mainstream schools. If parents ask for placement for their child in a school other than their local school, the local authority will try, wherever possible, to meet parental preference.
However, the local authority may not be able to do so if a parents’ choice is incompatible with the child’s needs, is contrary to the effective education of other pupils in the class/ school or if the choice would result in unreasonable public expenditure. In Monmouthshire, the majority of pupils with ALN are educated in their local schools with other children of the same age.
What if my child’s needs cannot be met in a Monmouthshire School?
For the very few children whose needs cannot be met within Monmouthshire, the local authority would explore placement in special schools maintained by other local authorities or in independent special schools. Placement in any out of county special school would have to be agreed by the admission Panel of the local authority in which the special school is located.
What about transport?
Transport for children with ALN will only be funded by the Authority: • to take a child to their local school or nearest suitable school if he or she has major mobility problems, or
• if a child attends specialist provision (a special school or specialist resource base), that is not attached to their local school.
Transport will not be provided for children with additional learning needs if the child is attending a school due to parental preference, i.e. a school that is not considered by the Local Authority to be the nearest suitable school.
Where can I get advice about ALN provision?
You can contact the ALN Team Administrator Tel: 01633 644512 or look on the ALN page on Monmouthshire’s website: