Agenda item

To present the report of the Principal Educational Psychologist.

Submitted for the consideration of the Joint Committee, a report by the Principal Educational Psychologist summarising the main amendments proposed in the Welsh Government’s White Paper in relation to the legislation which sets out the arrangements for meeting the needs of children with educational difficulties and their implications for the Special Educational Needs Joint Committee and its method of working.

The Principal Educational Psychologist referred to the most significant changes as follows –

•           Principles – emphasis is placed on the importance of providing for the needs of every child

•           Terminology – it is proposed to use the term “Additional Learning Needs” rather than “Special Educational Needs”.

•           Collaboration and Conflict – to strengthen collaboration processes to ensure less conflict between authorities and users.

•           Extension of the Age Range – it is proposed that the arrangements be extended to include every child and young person between 0 and 25 year old identified as having Additional Learning Needs who is receiving or who wishes to receive education or training. The local education authorities will be responsible for this.

•           Individual Development Plans to replace the Statement of Special Educational Needs and to include children who are currently following non-statutory Individual Educational Plans within the schools and post-16 plans meaning that Individual Development Plans can be very broad and vary according to age, location and the complexity of the individual’s needs.

•           New Code of Practice – to be published. It will provide guidance on implementing the changes and will be mandatory.

•           The views of the Children and their parents – consultation with the parents and the children themselves and listening to their views.

•           Other Agencies – the emphasis is on early engagement and sharing information with other agencies.

•           Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator to be available in every school.

•           Right of appeal to be extended to the children and young people themselves and young people we are 16+.

•           Cost – with careful planning, the Government is of the opinion that the new system should cost no more than the current one. However, there is potential that further costs will result from appeals with regard to children who are not on a statement and with the establishment of a more comprehensive procedure for resolving disputes.

The Principal Educational Psychologist reported on the likely effect of the White Paper on the Joint-Committee particularly in relation to the increased workload as a result of extending the age range of the children and young people whose special needs the Joint-Committee will be responsible for meeting.  He reported that the biggest change will be the requirement to work with further education colleges where the Joint-Committee has no presence currently.  It is anticipated that the workforce may have to be increased by 20% which is equivalent to half a psychologist’s post and one and a half specialist peripatetic teacher’s post in order to support these young people.  With regard to the education department, both education departments will be responsible for monitoring the individual education plans of many more children and young people. Although the Joint-Committee has systems in place to do this, formalizing school support and extending this to younger children and further education college students will entail more administrative work in processing applications and determining the validity of programmes and provisions. An increase of at least 20% is anticipated in the time required by the Joint-Committee’s administration team which is equivalent to one and a half employees. In addition, it is possible that there will be an increased number of appeals or at least an increase in the number of cases going through the dispute resolution system.

The Joint-Committee considered the information and the Members expressed concern with regard to the effect on the Joint-Committee, its services and workforce on extending the age range of the individuals whose needs will have to be met from very young children on the one end of the scale to young people up to the age of 25 on the other.

The Head of Learning – Isle of Anglesey County Council – stated that the proposals in the White Paper had significant implications for local services with regard to planning, making decisions, joint provision and bearing the costs which are anticipated to be high. The current costs in the Adult Services will need to be re-directed. Perhaps the requirements will entail increasing the workforce to more than half a psychologist’s post and one and a half specialist teacher’s post as estimated. There are also implications with regard to realigning local budgets to meet the needs.

Gwynedd Council’s Senior Finance Manager stated that should the costs be much higher once the White Paper has come into effect next year, then they will have to be assessed since Gwynedd and Anglesey councils will wish to know the level of additional financial commitment the White Paper will entail in the forthcoming financial year.

It was resolved to accept the report and to note its content.

NO FURTHER ACTION