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Agenda item

Additional Learning Needs and Educational Tribunal Act 2018- progress briefing report

To carry out policy development and review scrutiny of the Central South regional transformation implementation plan of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal Act 2018.

Minutes:

The Chairperson welcomed Councillor Sarah Merry (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment & Skills) Nick Batchelar, (Director of Education and Lifelong Learning), Jenny Hughes (Senior Achievement Leader Inclusion), and Liz Jones (ALN Transformation Lead Central South Region) to the meeting.

 

Jenny Hughes provided Members with a brief presentation (ALNET Act, Implications for Cardiff) which outlined the aims of the Act and the key challenges and actions as a result.

 

Liz Jones (ALN Transformation Lead Central South Region) outlined her role to Members and outlined the work undertaken by the Central South Region to date. 

 

The Committee were invited to comment, seek clarification or raise questions on the information received. Those discussions were summarised as follows:

 

 

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Members noted that the strong link between children with additional learning needs (ALN) and children who are looked after (LAC) has not been specifically mentioned.  Officers advised that every child with ALN who is LAC will need an individual development plan (IDP).  There has to be active involvement between the school and other agencies, which will enable more attention to be given to early intervention.  It was noted that Welsh Government have indicated that the implementation of this is resource neutral.  LJ advised that it will have implications on resources.  Unified plans have to be aligned.  An IDP will be an integral part of the PEP.

 

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Members sought clarification as to where the IDP in relation to children 0 – 3 years will come from, further how does it then feed into nursery education and school.  Members were advised that there is currently grant funded work ongoing in relation to that.  Referrals would come from the Health Service.  Whilst they would be key to setting up the IDP the authority would have a responsibility under the code to make sure that it is put in place.  Two new post have been created a designated clinical lead officer as well as an early years additional learning needs officer.  They are statutory posts with the intention that they working together with the local authority to ensure that no children fall through the net.

 

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Members queried whether there would be any obligation on private nurseries to follow through with the IDP’s and where advised that officers are already working with the independent sector, there will be a responsibility and training provided. 

 

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Members noted that these are fundamental changes to this system.  Arrangements are currently being reviewed with the consortium to ensure that they are fit for purpose.  The question is whether there is sufficient capacity and resolve to deliver all that we aspire to deliver.  There are big challenges within the school development programme in relation to the ALN changes; it is certainly not resource neutral.

 

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Members, having undertaken work in the Committee in relation to LAC children, noted how poor PEPs were and queried what assurance can be given that they are consistent and of a high standard.  The ALN transformation lead advised that the Independent Reviewing Officers have the responsibility for PEP’s, however in relation to IDP’s trials are currently being run to ascertain what a good IDP looks like.

 

AGREED – That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations discussed during the Way Forward.

Supporting documents:

 

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