ALN

At Trelewis Primary School we ensure that the needs of all children are met through high quality teaching and learning experiences.  Our Universal Provision includes:

• Encouragement and support for all to reach their full potential.
• Access to an enriched curriculum across the four core purposes and areas of learning.
• Effective differentiation.
• Established tracking of progress throughout the whole school.
• Early identification of children who may need additional support with their learning.
• Interventions where appropriate

As part of our effective monitoring and tracking of children’s progress we recognise that for some children a targeted intervention within school is needed to help close possible gaps in learning.  Our Targeted Provision includes:

• Access to in school 1:1 or small group interventions such as :
  • Reading support
  • Catch Up
  • Toe by Toe
  • Rapid Maths
  • Nessy
  • Precision Teaching
  • Dynamo Maths
  • Power of Two.
  • Targeted RWI sessions

During their time spent at Trelewis Primary School, most children make the expected progress in learning from their own starting points.  If a child is identified as not making the expected progress we will follow our process of investigating and identifying whether a child has an additional learning need.  This is done collaboratively with school, home and any outside agencies that may be involved such as the Educational Psychology Service.  We will gather information through discussion, questionnaires, assessment tools, observations and monitoring of progress over time.

A child not moving forward in their learning is characterised by progress which:

• is significantly slower than that of their peers starting from the same baseline,
• does not match or better previous rate of progress,
• does not close, or widens, the attainment gap between the child and their peers, despite the provision of support aimed at closing that gap

Identification of Additional Learning Needs (ALN)

When pupils do not make the expected progress with Universal/Targeted Provision in place and following thorough investigation and evidence gathering, a child may be identified as having ALN. Within our school we have established a handy flowchart which is used in conjunction with other evidence bases, to decide on whether a child meets criteria for an IDP (ALN) or not. Please find the flowchart below.

You can view our current Provision map below which highlights our Universal, Targeted and Additional Provision within school.

When a child is identified as having ALN through the new system an Individual Development Plan (IDP) will be created.

What is an Individual Development Plan (IDP)?

An individual development plan is created through collaboration with the child and parent/ carer or young person in partnership with wider agencies that may be involved such as health and social care professionals. The individual development plan will say what the child or young person needs to be able to learn, setting out:

• what’s important to and for them;
• a description of their learning needs; and
• what will be done so they are properly supported in school or college and the additional learning provision (ALP) required to meet their additional learning needs.

This will be formally reviewed by all parties on an annual basis or sooner if necessary, and informally reviewed by staff termly.

When a school is made aware that a child or young person at the school may have ALN, it must decide whether that child or young person does have additional learning needs unless: 

• an IDP is already in place;
• a decision has already been made that the child or young person does have ALN and the needs have not changed; or
• if the young person does not consent to the decision being made.

Reconsideration of decisions

A child, young person or parent can ask the local authority to reconsider the decision of the school regarding the child/ young person’s ALN.

The local authority must then decide whether the child or young person has ALN or not. When this happens, the local authority must inform the school of the request and ask for further information from them. The local authority may or may not uphold the school’s decision. In the event that the local authority does not uphold the school’s decision, it may direct the school to write an IDP.

If a child or parent/ carer, or young person is unhappy with the IDP, they can request the local authority to reconsider the plan.  The local authority may revise the plan, order the school to revise the plan or confirm the plan is appropriate.

Where the plan is maintained by the school, a child, their parent(s)/ carer(s) young person or school can also request that a local authority take over responsibility for maintaining the plan from the school.

The local authority must decide whether to take over the plan (unless it has previously made a decision and the child or young person’s needs have not changed significantly and there is no new information to effect the decision). Where the local authority decides that it will not take over the plan, the child and parent(s)/ carer(s) or young person must be informed of this in writing.

What if there is disagreement?

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, young people and parent to have access to impartial information advice and support.

Where a concern regarding health or social care provision is raised, children and parent(s)/ carer(s) or young person will be able to discuss this with the health or social care professional.  Where it would be beneficial for the local health board to be involved in avoiding and resolving disagreements within education, the local authority will contact the Designated Clinical Lead Officer (DECLO) for advice.

For children and parent(s)/ carer(s) or young person, there are a number of ways that can help prevent problems or misunderstandings arising as follows:

Talk to the school

Always speak to the school's interim Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCO) as soon as you have worries or concerns. At Trelewis Primary School this is Mrs Esther Lewis.  Share all the information you have about your child with the school and other professionals involved. They will:

• listen and take your problem seriously;
• involve you and your child and consider your views;
• explore all the issues and concerns; and
• gather information and plan a way forward with you

Named officer within the local authority

If you disagree with a school or local authority decision on anything relating to your child’s ALN provision or placement you should contact a named officer at the local authority inclusion service.  They can help you unpick problems, gather further information, provide advice and support and reconsider school decisions. All local authorities have named officers who will provide advice and support and can help by providing some of the following:

• impartial advice on the rights of a child, child’s parent or young person needing support;
• support to unpick difficulties and plan a way forward with all other people involved;
• face to face meetings to work out what to do next;
• support to attend and contribute to meetings at the school or LA; and
• ongoing support if problems are difficult to solve.

ALN Independent Information, Advice and Support - SNAP Cymru

You can also contact SNAP Cymru who provide impartial information, advice and support to help you:

• confidently share your views, make decisions and develop good relationships with professionals
• provide clear and straightforward information about your options
• help you make informed decisions
• help you understand ALN law, entitlements and processes

Disagreement Resolution / Mediation 

Sometimes it is difficult to reach an agreement. In this area, Independent Disagreement Resolution is provided by SNAP Cymru.  The service can help young people, parent(s)/ carer(s) , schools, and the local education authority when there is a dispute about ALN decisions and ALN provision.

An experienced mediator will meet with parent(s)/ carer(s) and school or local education authority staff. The mediator does not take sides but will listen and find out what has been happening. The aim is to find a workable solution that everyone can agree with.

Children and parent(s)/ carer(s) or young people who want to know more about this service can speak to SNAP Cymru on 0808 801 0608 or email: DRS@snapcymru.org or for referral and more information on: DRS  - https://www.snapcymru.org/mediation/

Disagreeing with Health provision

For disagreements related to health decisions and provision that have not been resolved through earlier discussions, you may use the “Putting things Right” process.

https://www.wales.nhs.uk/ourservices/publicaccountability/puttingthingsright

Education Tribunal Wales 

If you have chosen to go through the mediation process and are still unhappy, you have a right to appeal to the Education Tribunal for Wales. The Tribunal is independent and will consider appeals when parents disagree with the local authority’s decisions.

An appeal can be made by a child, their parent(s)/ carer(s) or young person on the following:

• a review of the decision made by a school whether a child/young person has an ALN;
• a decision by a local authority, in the case of a young person, as to whether it is necessary to prepare and maintain an IDP;
• the description of the person’s ALN;
• the additional learning provision in an IDP
• the school named in the plan or if no school is named;
• a decision to revise an IDP;
• a decision not to take over responsibility for an IDP, following a request to do so;
• a decision to cease to maintain an IDP; or
• a refusal to decide a matter.

If you do decide to appeal to the Education Tribunal, you should let the named officer within the local authority know as soon as possible and continue to discuss your concerns. SNAP Cymru can also help you continue to resolve your disagreement.