A key feature of the ALNET Bill is to provide an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for all pupils aged 0-25 with Additional Learning Needs. This also includes replacing all existing Statements of Special Educational Needs with IDPs.
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Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
Lets put this into perspective. In the 2017 School Census (Welsh Government) there were:
• 105,577 pupils with special educational needs in maintained schools (22.6 per cent of all pupils)
• 11.9 per cent of the pupils with special educational needs have Statements of SEN.
How are Individual Development Plans (IDPs) going to be introduced?
The practicalities of this question have been widely debated since the first draft Bill. Who will get an IDP? When will IDPs be rolled out? Will those with a Statement get priority? Who will produce the IDP? What will the IDP look like? And so on. The outcome from this lengthy debate is not to allow local authorities (LA) and further education settings to determine their own approach. It was thought that allowing this would create inconsistencies across Wales with significant complexities with regards to the Education Tribunal.
Therefore IDPs will be introduced over a three year phased approach:
• Those with statements of SEN will transfer within the first two years
• Those with existing non-statutory plans will transfer in the third year
• Those newly identified as having an ALN will also have an IDP
Schools will produce and maintain IDPs. LAs may also support schools in producing and maintaining IDPs for some pupils with more complex ALN. This will be agreed between schools and LAs. Welsh Government has provided a suggested IDP template for schools and LAs to follow. Full details about this approach will be set out in a transition guide to be published this year.
Want more information?
The full consultation details can be found at: https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/options-implementing-additional-learning-needs-and-education-tribunal-wales-bill.