Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Learning.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Learning in relation to progress of pupils through the Additional Learning Needs partnership which has come into force since September 2017. 

The Portfolio Holder for Education, Youth, Libraries & Culture reported that the new Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion Service for Gwynedd and Anglesey was implemented in September 2017 and this reports highlights the progress of pupils within the service.

The Senior Manager (FEE) – Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion Service for Gwynedd and Anglesey (ALN & I) reported that the ALN & I Service focused on schools in Anglesey during last year.  The Teams within the Service have assessments in place in order to report on the progress of pupils receiving support by the Service.  It was noted that the level of affordability by the ALN & I Service has resulted in comparing the processes followed at the beginning of the year and in May 2019, 52% of schools have demonstrated an improvement in their ALN processes and provision.  The schools are able to demonstrate appropriate processes and provision to a good standard in May 2019 was recorded at 89%, which is an improvement on the previous RAG process.  She noted that all the services within the ALN and Inclusion are able to demonstrate contributions to developing the quality of provision through their training delivery and transference of skills (shown at Appendix 3 – 7 attached to the report) and have processes to ensure that the information is embedded within the schools.  She further said that in May 2019, a Service Questionnaire was sent out to schools in Gwynedd and Anglesey as regards as to whether the provision afforded to by the ALN and Inclusion Service was addressing the needs of schools.  It was noted that the return rate was very low but it was evident from the responses that the ALN & I service needs to improve the way it communicates with schools, pupils and their families.  The Officer further said that a positive response was received as to the work of the ALN & I Service Teams who visit schools and the worthwhile benefit the pupils receives from the Service.   

Reference was made to the Additional Learning Needs and Tribunal Act Wales (2018) and the work undertaken to meet the demands of the Act when it comes into force in September 2020.  In April 2018 an Initial Readiness Survey was completed with the Authority and the Regional ALN Transformation Lead (Welsh Government).  When the survey is repeated in July 2019, it is expected that the areas within the development will have shown sufficient progress to be considered to be within the ‘safe’ category. 

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

·           Clarification was sought as to the working relationship between Anglesey schools and the ALN & I Service in general and to assure that schools are able to help pupils, depended on specific needs, before referral to the ALN & I Service.   The Senior Manager (FEE) – ALN & I Service responded that it is important that the ALN & I staff are able to be sustained and to be able to afford and develop a good relationship with the schools and pupils. Schools have been afforded training through the ‘Tier 2’ training facility which addresses work required before referral to the ALN & I Service;

·           Reference was made as to the previous challenges faced when requiring the Health Board’s input as regards to a child referred to the ALN & I Service.  The Senior Manager (FEE) – ALN & I Service responded that the Health Board is well represented within individual planning meetings and Language and Speech Therapist also attend if required. She further said that as part of the Additional Learning Needs and Tribunal Act Wales (2018) there will be an expectation that a response from the Health Services will be required within a short time framework;

·           Reference was made that Quality Officers have a range of responsibilities and questions were raised as to whether the Quality Officers are responsible when timelines are not meet when dealing with a child with specific needs.  The Senior Manager (FEE) – ALN & I Service responded that the Quality Officers are responsible for the ‘mapping’ of schools as regards to consistency and monitoring provisions afforded within schools;

·           Clarification was sought as to the challenges faced by the ALN & I Service as regards to the new Additional Learning Needs and Tribunal Act Wales (2018).   The Senior Manager (FEE) – ALN & I Services responded that the ‘welfare’ of a child/pupil is welcomed within the new Act and especially within secondary school pupils.  She further said that providing for the age group 0-3 years old will be a challenge for the service as it will need to gauge whether an ALN & I provision is to be provided before a child starts in primary school.   It was also expressed that the age group 16-25 will be a new age group the service will face within the new educational curriculum.

It was RESOLVED to accept the report.

ACTION : To receive an update report on the ALN & I Service in November 2019.