New strategy for assisted learning
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter
This follows a consultation on the draft strategy which took place in June and July.
ALN, also known as Special Educational Needs (SEN), was highlighted in the critical Estyn report of September 2019, as an “area of concern”.
Improving the provision is one of the four work-streams which make up the Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys 2020-2030. The ALN strategy is also needed due to legal changes.
The Welsh Government’s Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal Act 2018 will fully take over from SEN (Special Educational Needs) legislation by 2023.
A major change is that ALN support will now be from birth to the age of 25.
Education portfolio holder, Cllr Phyl Daviessaid he was happy that the consultation had overwhelmingly backed the draft proposals.
Cllr Davies said: “The biggest positive is the vision that was outlined by the council was strongly supported by 88% of the respondents.”
The Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee had discussed the report at their meeting last week on October 29.
Committee Chairman, Cllr Pete Roberts said: “We welcome it particularly because of the improvements we’ve seen since it was brought before us earlier in the year.
“The one area of concern we have, is in the development of the 16-25 offering, it was underdeveloped at the pre-consultation stage.”
He added that education service officers would be asked back for a further discussion when that part of the strategy has been worked on.
He added that the committee were also “keen” to see a programme management document published, which would outline when changes are supposed to be implemented.
Portfolio holder for Adult Social Serices and the Welsh language Cllr Myfanwy Alexander welcomed the emphasis on the Welsh language.
Cllr Alexander said: “We need to be clear the Welsh language special needs provision is not an extra it’s an absolute fundamental and families have been let down in the past.
“It’s important that we ensure that appropriate therapeutic support is available through the language of choice.”
Work on more detailed proposals will now start.
86 people responded to the consultation:
- 88% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the draft vision.
- 77% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the issues identified.
- 92% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the main areas to work on.
The vision is that:
- All pupils across Powys will receive high quality provision that meets their needs, no matter where they live
- Most pupils with ALN will be taught in their local mainstream school
- All pupils with ALN will be placed in a provision that meets their needs, as near to home as is practicably possible, with the appropriate specialist teaching, support and facilities that enables them to meet their potential
- There will be a comprehensive range of specialist provision, including special schools, pupil referral unit (PRU), specialist centres, satellite centres and early assessment provision
- This will include both English and Welsh medium provision
- Special schools will cater for those pupils who have the most complex needs
- Schools within and across geographical areas will support each other and share effective practice.
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