To submit the report of the Director of Education, Skills and Young People.
Minutes:
The report of the Director of Education, Skills and Young People setting out proposals for an Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion Service on Anglesey was presented for the Executive’s consideration.
Councillor Dafydd Roberts, Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language presented the report, noting that following Gwynedd Council’s notice of intention to dissolve the Gwynedd and Anglesey ALN and Inclusion Partnership in June 2025, the Council has taken a series of actions – outlined in the report - to establish a separate, effective, efficient and fit for purpose service for Anglesey. The aim is to meet the needs of Anglesey’s children and young people and to ensure that the service is established promptly so that the Council can deliver its statutory duties in accordance with the ALN Act 2021. There has been an increase in the complexity and pattern of needs with reports showing that over the past five years the profile of learners receiving ALN support on Anglesey has become more complex.
An external specialist was commissioned to conduct a review of the existing joint service and to develop a model for an Anglesey specific service, identifying the key steps required to create a sustainable provision. The external review report is included at Appendix 1. Six different options were considered as set out in the options appraisal at Appendix 3. Through this process, Option 4 is recommended as the preferred approach for several reasons - greater emphasis on early intervention and trauma informed practice; integrated work approach, strengthens existing elements of inclusion; makes more effective use of resources; is expected to lead to improved outcomes; provides full control of the service with flexibility to collaborate and offers an opportunity to internalise long term data work. The report also outlines the cost projections associated with Option 4 and explains how these costs will be met.
Councillor Dylan Rees, Chair of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee reported from the committee’s meeting on 17 March, 2026 at which the proposals were considered. The committee recognised that this is an opportunity to create a new and different service, and that the proposed framework represents a starting point that will evolve, adapt and be refined over time. Members discussed the risks associated with reorganising the service and acknowledged the Executive’s commitment to provide additional investment to meet the requirements. The committee emphasised the importance of keeping parents informed and sought assurance that a short communication would be shared with them before the pre-election period begins. Following discussion, the committee resolved to recommend the proposals for internalising the service on Anglesey.
The Executive acknowledged the importance of developing a service tailored to the needs of Anglesey with emphasis on empathy, integration and trauma informed practice. Members recognised that the proposed structure provides a foundation on which to build, and it was suggested that regular progress reports should be provided. It was agreed as an additional recommendation that an update be presented to the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee in six months’ time.
The Chief Executive advised that, as the pre-election period will begin on 25 March and given that these proposals represent initial considerations and an early framework with further consultation still to come, it would be premature to engage further with parents at this stage. Engagement will be more appropriate once there is clarity on whether this is the structure that will be taken forward.
It was resolved –
· To approve the proposed structure (Option 4 on Options Appraisal - Appendix 3) on Anglesey to ensure service continuity for learners with additional learning needs (these responsibilities are noted in the ALNET Act 2018, the Additional Learning Needs Act 2021 and the ALN Regulations 2021) and establish a new central service.
· To provide the Director of Education, Skills and Young People and the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Education Portfolio Holder, the Children, Young People and Families Portfolio Holder and the Finance Portfolio Holder if there is a financial impact, with delegated authority to make timely changes to the structure to coincide with the consultation (this may include working in partnership with an external body/bodies to achieve the necessary provision if required).
· That a progress update be presented to the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee in six months’ time.