By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter
Big changes are taking place in the educational field of Additional Learning Needs (ALN) in Powys after the Welsh Government adopted new legislation last year.
Powys, as well as all other Welsh county councils, will have to change the way they provide ALN support which will now be applicable from birth to the age of 25.
A drop-in session will be held in Newtown next month to explain the changes to the public.
Earlier intervention will be key with education officers working with health and social care professionals to provide the service.
Senior ALN manager, Imitiaz Bhatti, was at the Powys County Council (PCC) Learning, Skills and Economy Scrutiny Committee to explain that the next steps for the county is to explain the changes in provision.
A series of drop-in sessions to do this have been organised for January.
For schools, already under stress due to a lack of money and the new curriculum, the changes to ALN is another issue to deal with.
PCC head of learning Alec Clark, said: “This is a massive transformation project.
“It’s interesting that the Welsh Government has chosen to do two, probably once in career projects, at the same time.
“ALN transformation has been the same for as long as I’ve been teaching and longer. This is totally new, it’s a better way of doing things. It’s got scope of being much better than what’s happening in England.
“There are risks, the partnership with health is one as they have a massive part to play. And the Health Service has massive stresses and strains.”
Former headteacher Mr Clark added: “Headteachers are gnashing their teeth as it’s more for them to do.
“But if they play it well, it’s better and they will be required to work with more people. And then you throw in the curriculum change.”
“These are two massive national projects at the same time.
“We will have some schools that do this better than others, as a service we need to deliver this as homogeneously as possible.
Cllr E Michael Jones asked how this was being communicated to parents?
Mr Bhatty replied: “There is no one single way, we have a newsletter being sent to schools and leisure centres, we have ALN transformation website where we can answer questions.
“We are setting up a parents’ forum to involve them in the process. We need to consult and have their ideas before decisions. We are taking a flexible approach.”
He added that social media such as Snapchat and WhatsApp will be used to engage with youngsters.
Cllr Susan McNicholas said: “I know some parents that won’t engage, how will you make sure that families don’t slip through the net?”
Mr Clark said: “Health visitors will be key in early intervention.
“They see families warts and all, and will be able to identify ALN in the first year of life.”
The preferred option for ALN children would be to see them attend mainstream school.
One of they key elements for ALN, is that when children go up to primary school reception class any children with ALN will already be identified.
