Additional Learning Needs

Getting support: a step-by-step guide

• Speak to your child’s teacher - If you think that your child has Additional Learning Needs (ALN) talk to your child’s teacher or ALN Coordinator (ALNCo).
• Create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) together - If the school agrees with you that your child has ALN, the school will work with you and your child to create an IDP.
• Discuss and concerns with the school, or local authority - If the school does not agree that your child has ALN, or you are dissatisfied with your child’s IDP, discuss it with the school or local authority
• You can have access to an advocate - If the local authority agrees with the school but you are still unhappy, they can point you to independent advocacy services
• You have a right to appeal - All children and your people and their parents or carers have the right to appeal against decisions to the Education Tribunal of Wales (ETW)

Early Years Additional Learning Needs Officer (EYALNLO)

The role of the EYALNLO is to work with parents, early years settings, health professionals and others who may be working with children below compulsory school age, to raise awareness of the additional learning needs (ALN) system and to promote early intervention.

The EYALNLO has responsibility for co-ordinating the local authority’s role in relation to children under compulsory school age who are not attending maintained schools.