Welcome to the Additional Learning Needs Team which is committed to

supporting all learners identified on our register to the very best of our

 ability. If you have any concerns or worries, you can discuss them with

a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Please

contact the school phone number 02920 529 398 to make an

appointment.

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New ALN Code Updates

The code will become operational in Wales from January 2022. Learners who meet the criteria for ALN will either have a school based IDP or a Local Authority IDP depending on the complexity of their needs. For further information and guidance for parents and carers see below:

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Definition of ALN according to the ACT

1. A person has additional learning needs if he or she has a learning difficulty or disability (whether the learning difficulty or disability arises from a medical condition or otherwise) which calls for additional learning provision.

2. A child or young person of compulsory school age has ALN if he or she:                               

• has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age or,

• has a disability for the purposes of the Equality act 2010 which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of the facilities for education of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream school.

3. A person does not have a learning difficulty or disability solely because the language (or form of language) in which he or she is or will be taught is different from a language (or form of language) which is or has been used at home.

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Information for Children and Young People

The Act requires that learners’ views should always be considered as part of the planning process, along with those of their parents. It is imperative that children and young people see the planning process as something which is done ‘with’ them rather than ‘to’ them.

 

Click the posters below to see a video explaining the code and changes that will be put in place.

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 (These posters give a link to video animations explaining the Additional Learning Needs code for Children and Young People).

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Cardiff Local Authority

Families will have access to impartial information advice and support. This is statutory, which means it must be provided by law. Every local authority in Wales must have arrangements for providing children and their families and young people with impartial information, advice, and support.

Cardiff Local Authority has created a dedicated helpline where children, their parents and young people can access advice or information about the new Additional Learning Needs (ALN) process and system in Wales.

This contact can also be used if you would like the Local Authority to reconsider a school’s decision about your ALN or content of the Individual Development.

You can contact this helpline on:

02920 872731 or at ALNHelpline@cardiff.gov.uk (monitored weekdays, including school holidays).

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The links below will take you to additional Local Authority resources that aim to explain the new system and processes in more detail:

• Web link to the Cardiff Education Services website should your parents require any further information: Information and Support for Parents/Carers and Young People | Cardiff Education Services

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Avoiding Disagreement and Conflict Resolution

Children and parent(s)/ carer(s) or young people will be involved in writing their IDP. Working in this way will provide opportunities to discuss concerns and enable issues to be addressed and settled at an early stage.

From time to time, disagreements can arise. The new ALN system and IDP process and the duty on schools and local authorities to consider the views, wishes and feelings of the child, parents or young person is intended to help overcome many disagreements. It is essential that problems are dealt with as quickly as possible and for children, parent(s)/carer(s), and young people to have access to impartial information advice and support.

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You can also access independent impartial advice and information through SNAP Cymru, who are an independent advocacy service for children and young people with SEN and ALN. SNAP Cymru on 0808 801 0608 or email: DRS@snapcymru.org or for referral and more information on: https://www.snapcymru.org/mediation/

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The Index for children with Additional Learning Needs and Disabilities

The Index is Cardiff’s voluntary register for children and young people with disabilities or additional needs which work alongside a range of support services and professionals to ensure that families of children and young people with disabilities or additional needs are kept up to date with information that is both relevant and beneficial to them. In addition, it assists the planning and co-ordination of services supporting those children, young people, and their families.

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The index - Cardiff Family Advice and Support : Cardiff Family Advice and Support (cardifffamilies.co.uk)

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Additional Information for Parents

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