Welsh Government consultation

The Welsh Government is developing reforms to the Additional Learning Needs (also known as Special Educational Needs) system in Wales.

The Welsh Government’s consultation, Forward in partnership for children and young people with additional needs (link to Welsh Government website), asked for feedback on its initial proposals to reform Additional Learning Needs law in Wales. The consultation finished in October 2012 and the Welsh Government will issue a White Paper in summer 2013.

The consultation proposed fundamental changes to the Additional Learning Needs/Special Educational Needs system in Wales:

1. Use the term ‘Additional Needs’ instead of ‘Additional Learning Needs’ and ‘Special Educational Needs’
2. Introduce an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for children, covering ages 0 to 25. Some IDPs will have ‘entitlement protection’, which will give the same kind of legal protection as a statement currently gives. The Welsh Government says entitlement protection will be given to 0-25 year olds with ‘severe and/or complex needs’; and those aged 2 to 18 with ‘significant needs’. The IDP will be coordinated by a ‘support coordinator’, who is likely to be the lead professional involved with the child and family.
3. Require multi-agency working among education, health and social services for those who require more than one service.
4. Expect a regional planning and commissioning approach.
5. Explore the case for extending the remit of the Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales to include health and social services.
6. Issue a new code of practice.
7. Assess potential for post-16 specialist provision centres using current post-16 budget.

Consultation responses

Sense and RNIB Cymru submitted a joint response to the Welsh Government consultation. Sense has also produced a briefing on the key points on multi-sensory impairment.

Sense Cymru is also a member of the Third Sector Additional Needs Alliance, which produced a response to the consultation.

Next steps

The Welsh Government is expected to issue a White Paper on the Additional Learning Needs reforms during summer 2013. Sense will respond to the proposals.