Agenda item

The Head of Education Services gave an overview of the report and drew Members’ attention to the three overarching aims of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill and the six areas of focus (noted on pages 9 and 10 of the report).

The following observations/questions were raised on the report:

Members noted that the timeline within the report was quite tight and asked whether the department was confident that they could undertake the work required within the timescale. The Additional Needs Provision Manager advised that a significant amount of work had been done in raising awareness, partnership working specifically in relation to Person Centred Planning (PCP), Individual Development Plans and Post 16 Transition. The department had also identified PCP Champions to lead on PCP training, which should ensure that by the end of 2020 all Primary and Secondary Schools will have a PCP Coach. It was also noted that the authority had lead the initial pilot for Individual Development Plans (IDPs) which was based at Ysgol Glan y Mor and its feeder schools, and as a result most schools are familiar with the principle of PCPs and IDPs. The Additional Needs Provision Manager advised that she was confident that the work required was going well.

In response to a question on the partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDUHB) the Director of Education and Children’s Services advised that the six local authorities within HDUHB working with a Designated Clinical Lead Officer (DECLO) to support the changes. Although concerns have been raised in relation to the capacity of the Health Board to provide a clinician to attend all school visits, the Code of Practice within the Bill clearly sets out what is expected of each Health Board and their duty in relation to providing what is required. The Director of Education and Children’s Services further advised that in most circumstances the authority valued the advice of the Health Board over the structured formal reporting, noting that it could take up to 26 weeks to develop an IDP. However, the presence of the right people e.g. Speech and Language Therapists etc. at planning meetings was encouraging. He also acknowledged that more complex cases were revised annually, during which process there was a need for a more formal approach. The Additional Needs Provision Manager advised that the Health Board has a Multi-Agency Steering Group which local authorities can work with, should the need arise.

Members asked for clarification on the consultation approaches noted in section 5(ii) of the report and asked for further information. The Additional Needs Provision Manager advised that the priorities were to build good partnerships between parents and settings in order to support the rights of the child, and these priorities should be communicated clearly to parents so that they can understand what to expect. The advertised workshops were well attended and links with the inclusion department has improved with the use of Family Liaison Officers. The Director of Education and Children’s Services noted that workshops were held across all six authorities and as well as work on the website, the authorities had commissioned SNAP Cymru to provide independent advice to families. In response to a query on the use of social media, the Director advised that capacity was an issue when it came to responding and managing responses.

Members asked for detailed information in relation to the number of pupils with IDPs and were advised by the Additional Needs Provision Manager that it was close to the figure of one hundred; noting that the high number could be linked to the authority’s participation in the pilot scheme for the rollout of IDPs.

In response to a question on the training available to School Governors, noted in the report as an action in autumn 2018; the Director of Education and Children’s Services advised that there was a conflict in releasing the training before the Code of Practice consultation has closed. Tier 1 training had already gone through the legal process and was ready to be delivered however, some aspects of Tier 4 training may require some adjustment following the consultation. In response to a further query on the likely changes to the Code of Practice, and whether the authority were agreeable in relation to the new code, the Director advised that overall the changes to the code were positive and centred around a new way of working, it would also align the 22 local authorities under one code. However, there were some concerns in relation to guidance on the transfer of responsibility from schools to the local authority with very little to prevent schools under financial pressures to transfer responsibility for ALN to the local authority. The consultation was due to close on the 16^th June and the situation would be clearer when the final code is published.

Members raised the issue of workforce development and asked whether there was specific training available or bespoke courses to support children with ALN in the classroom. The Director of Education and Children’s Services advised that there was a national training programme for Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinators (ALNCo) which offered the opportunity to work towards a qualification. There is also local and regional training available for school staff. In relation to upskilling Teaching Assistants the Director advised that Coleg Sir Gâr and UWTSD offer courses in Child Development and a NVQ in supporting children with ALN. Training for ALNCo’s was a matter of ongoing development and a four/five day course covering the area under discussion would be rolled out later in the year.

Members questioned the progress monitoring of the implementation plan, both locally and regionally. The Director of Education and Children’s Services advised that regionally there was a strategic group to monitor progress overall, of which he was the Chair, locally the implementation plan forms part of the Departmental Business Plan and will be monitored alongside other performance measures. The Director also noted that there was some additional capacity to drive some areas of change and to track and map development, and in due course the cost of this would be evaluated in relation to its impact. The Additional Needs Provision Manager advised that the Welsh Government had distributed an ALN readiness survey, the results of which should highlight areas where there is a need for further development.

The Chair noted that the funding of ALN was a consistent overspend for the department, and the issue was considered as a suitable topic for the next Task & Finish Group. It was agreed that a scoping document should be prepared on this issue for Members to review. In response to this the Director of Education and Children Services advised that the transformation of the service should see a reduction in costs, and gave an example of the practice of having an assistant supporting a pupil for an entire lesson, when the need for support may only be at the start/end of a lesson. The new model allowed for greater flexibility in how pupils are supported and how needs can be met in the most effective way.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that

4.1 the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Transformation Programme Update be received.

4.2 that a scoping document on ALN Funding should be presented at the next committee meeting on the 4^th July 2019.