Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and Inclusion
ALN at Edwardsville School
At Edwardsville Primary School we believe all learners should be engaged, achieving through being present, participating and learning! Therefore we believe that early identification of special educational needs and prompt intervention is vital. We aim to take action as soon as possible before problems become too difficult to reverse. We do this because, for the children, better communication, social and emotional skills and the ability to manage their own behaviour and mental health will provide a stronger foundation for learning at school, an easier transition into adult hood, better employment benefits, healthier and improved mental and physical health.
Supporting children with ALN at our school
When a child is identified as having ALN through the new system an Individual Development Plan (IDP) will be created.
What is an Individual Development Plan (IDP)?
An individual development plan is created through collaboration with the child and parent/ carer or young person in partnership with wider agencies that may be involved such as health and social care professionals. The individual development plan will say what the child or young person needs to be able to learn, setting out:
- what’s important to and for them;
- a description of their learning needs; and
- what will be done so they are properly supported in school or college and the additional learning provision (ALP) required to meet their additional learning needs.
This will be formally reviewed by all parties on an annual basis or sooner if necessary, and informally reviewed by staff termly.
When a school is made aware that a child or young person at the school may have ALN, it must decide whether that child or young person does have additional learning needs unless:
- an IDP is already in place;
- a decision has already been made that the child or young person does have ALN and the needs have not changed; or
- if the young person does not consent to the decision being made.
Reconsideration of decisions
A child, young person or parent can ask the local authority to reconsider the decision of the school regarding the child/ young person’s ALN.
The local authority must then decide whether the child or young person has ALN or not. When this happens, the local authority must inform the school of the request and ask for further information from them. The local authority may or may not uphold the school’s decision. In the event that the local authority does not uphold the school’s decision, it may direct the school to write an IDP.
If a child or parent/ carer, or young person is unhappy with the IDP, they can request the local authority to reconsider the plan. The local authority may revise the plan, order the school to revise the plan or confirm the plan is appropriate.
Where the plan is maintained by the school, a child, their parent(s)/ carer(s) young person or school can also request that a local authority take over responsibility for maintaining the plan from the school.
The local authority must decide whether to take over the plan (unless it has previously made a decision and the child or young person’s needs have not changed significantly and there is no new information to effect the decision). Where the local authority decides that it will not take over the plan, the child and parent(s)/ carer(s) or young person must be informed of this in writing.
Information for parents can be found in this document If you require this please contact the school for a copy or click on this link.
https://edwardsville.merthyr.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ALN-Parent-Guide-2020-ENG.pdf
Parents / Carers, as part of our Phase A involvement, the ‘EPS Support Line’ will be running fort-nightly. This offers pre-school staff, school staff, parents/carers and professionals the opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have regarding the wellbeing and/or learning needs of children and young people.
Person Centred Practices (PCP)
At Edwardsville Primary we aim to be person centred in the way we think and teach. We believe that each child is an individual and that learning should be personalised. We use a range of person centred thinking tools during circle time and wellbeing sessions. These tools help staff get to know the children on a deeper level and understand their needs.
PCP Tools includes;
Relationship circle
What's working/not working
Good day/bad day
4 plus 1 question
Using these tools helps form a One Page Profile.
One Page Profiles.
A One Page Profile captures all the important information about a person on a single sheet of paper under three simple headings:
-what people like/appreciate about me,
-what’s important to me
-how best to support me.
Interventions and support for pupils:
We have many types of interventions to support children's needs. Some of these include:
ELSA-for groups or individuals
Lego therapy
Read, Write, Inc.
Wellcomm (Speech and language)
Language and Numeracy support.
Outside Support agencies/useful websites
Positive Parenting : https://www.merthyrfis.org/be-positive-not-perfect/positive-parenting/
Multi agency support for parents- Early Help Hub: https://www.merthyrfis.org/providers-zone/early-help-hub/
ASD in Wales : http://www.asdinfowales.co.uk/en/
Autism: https://www.autism.org.uk/
Neurodevelopmental Team : https://cwmtafmorgannwg.wales/services/child-adolescent-mental-health-services/neurodevelopmental-service/
The Exchange counselling service: https://www.exchange-counselling.com/
The Special Educational Needs System is changing
The Welsh Government is changing the way that children with special educational needs (SEN) will be supported. The new system defines SEN as Additional Learning Needs (ALN). The law is changing for several reasons the main one is to make the process simpler and more transparent for all involved.