Agenda item

To submit a report by the Additional Learning Needs Senior Manager.

Submitted – a report by the Additional Learning Needs Senior Manager in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Holder for Education, Libraries, Culture & Youth presented the report to the Committee and expressed his appreciation to the Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion Service for the progress to date within the service.

The Additional Learning Needs Senior Manager reported that the new Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion Service (ALN & I) was established in September 2017 and this reports highlights the progress of pupils over the past year in all services offered to ensure an effective and efficient service to the Gwynedd and Anglesey Education Authority partnership.  She noted that the previous SEN Service main weaknesses was the lack of core data availability to show what the service was achieving and to monitor the pupils’ progress. 

The Additional Learning Needs Senior Manager reported in detail the services afforded by the Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion Service and the progress to date, as noted within the report, as follows :-

·           Interaction and Communication Service

·           Sensory and Medical Service

·           Specific Learning Needs Service

·           Educational Psychologist Service

·           Behaviour Support Service

·           Welfare Service

·           Gwynedd and Anglesey ALN & I Service Training Provision

·           Developing Friendly SLN Schools

The Committee considered the report and raised the following matters:-

·           Reference was made to the three main concerns within schools has been literacy and spelling problems, language and autism and behaviour problems.  Members referred that it is now reported that the figures for these service has decreased substantially and questions were raised as to why this has occurred.  The Additional Learning Needs Senior Manager responded that due to increase in staffing in the new ALN & I Service the pupils are now able to receive help sooner.  Referrals from the schools is referred to a Forum of Specialist which enables speeder implementation of specialist support to the child which required attention.  Questions were raised as to how the service was performing in Anglesey compared with the service in Gwynedd.   The Additional Learning Needs Senior Manager responded that the ALN & I Service has responded effectively to the requirements within Anglesey schools as is similar to Gwynedd schools.  She noted that if a situation was to arise when a need for more ALN service on Anglesey the service is able to be flexible to afford such facility;

·           Reference was made to the difficulties facing schools in appointing Teaching Assistants (SEN).  Questions were raised as to how the ALN & I Service was able to assist in training and recruiting Teaching Assistants (SEN). The Additional Learning Needs Senior Manager responded that employment of Teaching Assistants (SEN) within schools is a matter for the schools and the Teaching Assistants attached to the ALN & I Service is employed by that service.  The ALN & I Service affords training programmes for Teaching Assistants (SEN) to make sure they are able to support children with specific needs;

·           Concerns were expressed that some parents are still complaining that the feedback from the ALN & I Service is taking a considerable period of time as regards to their child condition and needs of their child.   The Additional Learning Needs Senior Manager responded that some parents are uneasy with having to face that their child has a problem and it can take time as to whom will be giving the diagnosis i.e. Health Service or Educational Psychologist;

·           Questions were raised as to the risks and weakness the ALN & I Service is facing at the present time.   The Additional Learning Needs Senior Manager responded that the main weakness that the ALN & I Service faced was that it did not have an electronic Personal Development Plan in place and it took time to administer correspondence to parents;

·           Reference was made that some children receive their education within their home environment.  Questions were raised as to the legislation that the children who are educated at home only receive one visit from the Education Service to monitor their progress.  The Additional Learning Needs Senior Manager responded that the proportion of children educated at home on Anglesey is low compared to other part in Wales.  She noted that as regards to the Home Schooling Legislation the Education Service is responding to the statutory requirements that one home visit is undertaken.

The Head of Learning thanked the Additional Learning Needs Senior Manager for her report.  He said that Head Teachers have been given an opportunity to respond to the service provided by the ALN & I service and to give feedback on matters that have or need to be addressed further within the service.  He expressed that he was concerned that when the Additional Learning Needs & Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 will be published, local authorities will be responsible for a child/young person with special needs until they are 25 years old; this could have potential financial challenge for the local authorities.   

It was RESOLVED to accept the report.

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