Powys Press Release – Cabinet approve new SEN / ALN strategy

A proposed strategy that could transform education provision for learners with special educational needs / additional learning needs has been approved by Cabinet, Powys County Council has said.

The council has produced a proposed strategy for The Future of Special Educational Needs (SEN) / Additional Learning Needs (ALN) in Powys, which will guide the transformation of provision for learners with SEN / ALN. The strategy was approved by Cabinet this week (Tuesday, November 3).

Improving SEN / ALN provision is one of the strategic aims in the council’s Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys 2020-2030, which was approved in April.

The strategy was shaped thanks to feedback from an engagement exercise earlier this year where people were given the opportunity to have their say on a draft vision for SEN / ALN provision.

Seven areas of transformation have been included in the strategy. They are:

  • Mainstream
  • Early Support/Assessment
  • Specialist provision for pupils of statutory school age with the most complex needs
  • Specialist Centres
  • Specialist Behaviour provision
  • Provision for SEN/ALN learners up to the age of 25
  • Welsh medium support for pupils with SEN/ALN.

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said: “Over the last 12 months, we have had significant engagement with parents, learners, school leaders, teachers and others to help inform the re-shaping and transformation of the educational provision for children and young people in Powys.

“During our engagement sessions, a number of issues were raised about our current ALN / SEN provision. This included that pupils had different quality and type of provision depending on where they lived, some had to travel long distances to reach provision that meets their needs while the access to provision through the medium of Welsh is inconsistent.

“Our ambition is for our schools to be fully inclusive, educating pupils with a wide range of special educational needs / additional learning needs. For our learners with more complex needs, we want to develop on the strengths of our special schools, and have a network that will allow learners to have access to a range of specialist provision and support as close to home as is possible.

“This strategy will help the council to meet this ambition and give learners with special educational needs / additional learning needs the best possible start they deserve.”