Additional Learning Needs - ALN

Canolfan Enfys is a nurturing environment designed to be a place where children can feel safe and secure and therefore develop their emotional and academic needs further. Canolfan Enfys has different areas that help to promote a range of skills. There is a Calm Corner that promotes strategies to help children self-regulate their emotions. The Lego Therapy station promotes collaboration, turn taking and communication. We have a sofa area where children and adults can sit and talk as well as read to our visiting Therapuppy.

What is the purpose of Canolfan Enfys & its Philosophy?

Canolfan Enfys is a calm room for small groups of pupils. Its composition is carefully thought-out to create a balanced and functional group. Canolfan Enfys is part of the school’s Inclusion and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) provision. Its purpose is to offer children opportunities to re-visit early learning skills and promote and support their social and emotional development as well as offering Literacy support. There is much research evidence that shows children’s learning is most effective when they have a sense of emotional well-being, good self-esteem and a feeling of belonging to their school community. Canolfan Enfys provides children with this opportunity and so helps to develop their maturity and resilience. Canolfan Enfys is a place of learning.

Which children attend Canolfan Enfys?

Children may attend sessions in Canolfan Enfys for specific reasons, for example:

• Struggling to acquire Literacy or other learning skills
• Friendship difficulties - keeping/making friends
• Quiet, shy, withdrawn
• Find it hard to listen to others or join in
• Disruptive towards others
• Find it hard to accept losing a game
• Find it hard to share and take turns
• Find it a bit difficult to settle into class
• Bullying
• Low self esteem
• Bereavement
• Family illness or break-up

Are parents/carers involved?

We like to consider our door is always open, therefore we welcome parent/carers to chat with the Class teacher and Mrs Roberts the ALNCo to discuss further ways that they can work with school to help support their child.

Our downloadable guides gives information for parents of children with:

• ASD
• ADHD
• Literacy Difficulties / Dyslexia
• Numeracy Difficulties / Dyscalculia
• Fine and Gross Motor Coordination / Dyspraxia
• Speech and Language Issues

Download

There are changes being made to the way that Special Educational Needs (now referred to as ‘Additional Learning Needs’) will be carried out in schools from 2023. In readiness for this, some schools are already making changes, e.g. in the way that meetings with parents and pupils are held. We at St Mary’s Primary School are implementing the new recommendations in line with county guidance. You will be informed of the changes and how they affect your child by your child’s class teacher and/or your schools, Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCo): Mrs. Roberts.

The Welsh Assembly Government have decided to delay the implementation of the new ALN Reform Bill as follows:

ALN system implementation timeline

The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act (ALNET) has been passed and will be supported by a new code. This sets out how the ideas from the act will work in practice. The draft code was published in December 2018.

The key messages surrounding these changes are outlined below:

• The term Additional Learning Needs (ALN) will replace the terms Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LDD). Children with ALN will be supported through additional learning provision (ALP)
• SENCos will now be called an ALNCo (additional learning needs coordinator)
• The new code will cover 0 - 25 year olds which means further education colleges and specialist independent colleges will now also be included (although not higher education or apprenticeships)
• There will be an emphasis on high aspirations and improved outcomes for children and young people with ALN
• The graduated system of school action, school action plus and statements is being replaced and all children who are identified as having ALN will have an Individual Development Plan (IDP). The IDP will replace IEPs, IBPs or IPPs
• Most IDPs will be maintained by the school but where it is considered unreasonable for the school to do so (such as for those with more severe or complex ALN) the Local Authority may maintain them
• There will be an increased participation from children, young people, parents and carers in the creation and maintenance of IDPs through person centered planning
• It is hoped that closer collaboration and working together in partnership should help us to avoid disagreements
• All reasonable steps will be taken to secure provision in Welsh if required
• All children and young people who have an IDP will have an equal right to appeal to tribunal

If you wish to read the draft code there is both a full version and an easy read version available on the Welsh Government website

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Mrs. Roberts or you can contact Parent Partnership Service, Citizens Advice Flintshire who offer free, independent advice and support to parents on the Flintshire Citizens Advice website or calling: 01352 706840

Download Snap Cymru Individual Development Plan (IDP)

Download Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act Factsheet