Additional Learning Needs

The ALNCo (Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator) at St. Joseph’s is Mrs Natalie Lawrence.

The ALN Link Governor is Mrs A. Price. 

The new ALN Code will be rolled out into schools from September 2021 for children who are newly identified as having additional learning needs. However, for those children who have already identified SEN via school action or school action plus, the new system will apply from January 1st 2022. 

The transformed system will:

• ensure that all learners with ALN are supported to overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential
• improve the planning and delivery of support for learners from 0 to 25 with ALN, placing learners’ needs, views, wishes and feelings at the heart of the process
• focus on the importance of identifying needs early and putting in place timely and effective interventions which are monitored and adapted to ensure they deliver the desired outcomes.

ALN will cover those who:

• have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age
• have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of the educational facilities generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream maintained school or Further Education Institution.

The Act introduces a clear duty on local authorities to support you as parent/carers and your child to contribute to the planning for additional learning needs.

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Further information can be accessed via the Vale of Glamorgan's website:

Moving to the new ALN system - for parents, carers & professionals

An opportunity to hear from key professionals working on the implementation of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act in the Vale of Glamorgan. 

The Index for Children and Young People with Disabilities or Additional Needs

The Index is for families who have children age 0-18 years, who have a disability or additional need and live in the Vale of Glamorgan.

It’s a way of us keeping families informed about what’s available locally and nationally.

You’ll receive a newsletter every three months, packed full with information about events, activities, playschemes and services, as well as regular ebulletins. You can also contact us directly with any questions you have.

Sign up is free and completely voluntary and you don’t need to have a diagnosed disability.

There is more information on our web pages, as well as a quick video and an online registration form: www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/theindex

ALN and Dispute Resolution

In the Vale of Glamorgan, we are always keen to try to address any concerns, worries or issues as soon as possible, and this should be done by raising any issues with your child’s school in the first instance. As far back as the draft ALN Code (2017) principles for good practice in the avoidance and early resolution of disagreements around Additional Learning Needs. (WG, 2017. pp. 169) were identified. 

These good practice principles are:

• Support to ensure parents can attend and contribute to meetings
• Ensure communication is inclusive and sensitive so parents feel like equal partners open questioning in meetings so concerns and misunderstandings are dealt with early on
• Face to face meetings to plan the way forward
• All parties have the same information from the same trusted source 
• Timely and consistent communication so trust is built 
• Positive, open and constructive dialogue
• Explain the legislation underpinning decisions and signposting to further information 
• Decisions are properly explained in inclusive language to parent and child / Young Person
• Supporting the examination of the IDP so decisions are transparent and all evidence has been considered

(Taken from The Holos Training pack – a summary of the principles)

All schools should have staff trained in dispute resolution strategies to support this process. 

A short film produced by the Welsh Government providing an overview of the avoiding disagreement and early dispute resolution aspect of the ALN Bill now Act can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzPllzbheI8 or click the link below. 

Avoiding disagreements and earlier dispute resolution - YouTube

Following these strategies should help parents and school work together in a mutually supportive and honest partnership, with the child at the centre to discuss and resolve any issues.

SNAP Cymru provides information, advice and support for parents, children and young people who have, or may have, Additional Learning Needs or disabilities. 

SNAP Cymru provide the following impartial, confidential and free services:

• Helpline Information, Advice and Support
• Specialist Casework
• Discrimination Advice and Casework
• Independent Specialist ALN Advocacy
• Disagreement Resolution

Children, young people or parents can contact SNAP Cymru on:

• 0808 801 0608  or visit www.snapcymru.org  

An ALN enquiry can be submitted using the form on www.snapcymru.org/contact

To request a dispute resolution service - email: DRS@snapcymru.org   or for more information on dispute resolution see https://www.snapcymru.org/mediation/