Latest news with #ALN
Leader Live
14 hours ago
- General
- Leader Live
'Perfect storm' as Flintshire schools face ALN and funding pressure
That was the fear expressed by Hawarden, Ewloe councillor Dave Mackie at Thursday's meeting of Flintshire County Council's Education, Youth & Culture Overview & Scrutiny Committee. They were discussing a report on funding for specialist provision and additional learning needs (ALN). There was widespread praise for the creative work being done by schools and headteachers to deliver support for the increasing number of pupils presenting with ALN and the increasing complexity of their support needs. But the committee had serious concerns that funding pressures could soon force schools to prioritise support for those most in need. It was also revealed that there is, for the first time, a waiting list for out of county provision for those pupils with requiring the most specialist support, as all available places are now full. "We are experiencing a perfect storm of cuts in school funding, problems from Covid which you can't ignore, reduction in school rolls and the need to for ALN provision,"said Cllr Mackie. "This could lead to some very very serious problems. We know schools have had to reduce their staff and the point about specific individual care is it requires staff. "We must acknowledge the scale of the financial pressures in order to make suitable provision. "Clearly we are in a perfect storm not of our own making and we are expecting schools to cope. I think we are expecting too much." Jeanette Rock, Flintshire's senior manager for inclusion and progression, said that in 15 years she had never seen so much legitimate demand for additional educational support. "We really are seeing increased levels of need and complexity," she said. "I've worked in this role for 15 years and never seen this level of legitimate need. "Out of county provision is full. We have a challenge to find suitable places for our children and we have a waiting list for the first time. "A number of our children are struggling to engage with larger school buildings and it's fair to say that our primary sector are feeling the pinch." There was tentatively good news in the report. A feasibility study in 2018 identified the council needed to invest £38m in specialist facilities for pupils with specific needs. That bid has been submitted to the Welsh Government's Sustainable Communities Fund and is being reviewed to ensure planned works are still fit for purpose. But concerns over operational funding led to a recommendation that the committee ask full council to requisition the £1.2m of additional funding given to the authority as part of the Welsh Local Government Settlement to further support ALN provision in the county. "I have noted we are in a red risk area for funding," said Buckley Bistre West Cllr Carolyn Preece. "Where will the money come from to support this. "The Welsh Government seriously needs to recognise we are still feeling the effect of Covid. We need more provision, more funding for this specialist educational delivery that is a mandatory statutory provision because the outcome of good ALN support is amazing, it enriches people's lives. I would like to recommend that we request that £1.2m of additional money received by the council in the budget be given to the education budget because our schools really need this." The committee supported the recommendation.
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
ALN sessions at Newport splash park face offensive comments
The splashpad runs specific sessions for children with disabilities and additional learning needs to enjoy the space - one hour every morning is dedicated to these groups, with a two-hour session on a Wednesday afternoon on a booking only basis. The purpose of these sessions is to give those with additional needs who struggle in large groups the opportunity to use the splash park without the stress of having 50-60 other children around them. Parents of those with ALN have voiced their concerns and highlighted the discriminatory comments that have been overheard and directed at these sessions. Laura Lacey, cabinet member for social services in Newport, said: 'These parents fight every day for their kids and they can't even enjoy these sessions because of a handful of individuals. 'These children are called names that I don't even want to repeat by other parents. 'It's traumatic for parents to hear these comments and after getting such good feedback on how these sessions work and how accommodating staff are parents are now nervous about going. 'It's the minority, but unfortunately this minority is more vocal.' These sessions have allowed ALN children to play and allows their parents the chance to socialise, yet they are facing prejudice over a two-hour session at the splash park. Parents and families have been reportedly harassed staff at the park because they are unable to attend the ALN specific session and have subsequently 'jumped the fence' to bypass the rule. As the summer draws in, parents are concerned that this behaviour will continue during the warmer months. Niicol's son is able to enjoy the splash park during ALN sessions (Image: Supplied) Parent Niicol Rogers, 34, says: 'It's horrible because we deal with this constantly, and it's the last thing you need when you go to an ALN session.' Niicol campaigned for these sessions with other ALN parents, but now says she feels anxious to attend after witnessing the actions and attitudes of some parents. 'We're all different but we're the same. This is an opportunity for other parents to get together and socialize too. I want to watch my child play, but I don't want to hear people shouting nastiness. 'It's horrible because we deal with this constantly, and it's the last thing you need when you go to an ALN session.' A spokesperson for Newport City Council said: "The relaxed sessions offer a chance for those who children with additional needs to enjoy the splash pad in a quieter environment. "Following feedback, we set up a booking system for the Wednesday afternoon session, so that only those with a valid booking are permitted entry. "We ask that visitors to the park respect the space while the relaxed sessions are running. "Splash 'Port is open to the public from 11am-3pm on Wednesdays, 11am-5pm all other weekdays, and 10am-5pm on weekends, so there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to enjoy the space. "If anyone has experienced any issues when attending a relaxed session, we would ask them to let a member of the parks team know if possible, or if not to contact us when they can to report this."
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Disabled children ‘denied' school support, Senedd hears
Senedd members considered a 1,454-name petition calling for a ban on the term 'universal provision' – which refers to the support available to all pupils. Parents warned councils are using the term to deny disabled children the person-centred, additional support they need in school to reach their full potential. As part of a 'transformation programme', the Senedd passed a law in 2018 to bring in an additional learning needs (ALN) system to replace special educational needs (SEN) support. The number of disabled children receiving support has fallen by nearly half since 2020/21 when roll-out began – with 40,000 fewer pupils receiving ALN or SEN support in 2023/24. In 2017, then-minister Alun Davies assured the Senedd's education committee that the cohort of pupils within the scope of the new system would be 'broadly similar'. Victoria Lightbown, who submitted the petition, wrote: 'Despite this clarification, local authorities and members of Welsh Government continue to allow this term to be used to refuse a learner ALN status and provide additional learning provision. 'There can only be one solution and that is that this term is banned from use. 'While members of the Welsh Government still use this term when discussing ALN including during media interviews, it gives local authorities opportunity to follow suit and continue to deny ALN to learners.' Lynne Neagle wrote to the Senedd's petitions committee in response to the petition, apologising for a near-three month delay in replying to correspondence. Wales' education secretary, who chaired the education committee as it scrutinised reforms in 2017, said: 'I want to be clear that 'universal provision' should not be a reason to deny ALN. 'However, I am aware that the term 'universal provision' is widely used by schools and local authorities when describing the provision… generally available to all pupils of the same age. 'Estyn's recent thematic review of the ALN reforms reports there is confusion in schools and local authorities around what constitutes 'universal' provision and what is ALP. This confusion is causing difficulties when determining whether a learner has ALN.'
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Disabled children ‘denied' school support, Senedd hears
Senedd members considered a 1,454-name petition calling for a ban on the term 'universal provision' – which refers to the support available to all pupils. Parents warned councils are using the term to deny disabled children the person-centred, additional support they need in school to reach their full potential. As part of a 'transformation programme', the Senedd passed a law in 2018 to bring in an additional learning needs (ALN) system to replace special educational needs (SEN) support. The number of disabled children receiving support has fallen by nearly half since 2020/21 when roll-out began – with 40,000 fewer pupils receiving ALN or SEN support in 2023/24. In 2017, then-minister Alun Davies assured the Senedd's education committee that the cohort of pupils within the scope of the new system would be 'broadly similar'. Victoria Lightbown, who submitted the petition, wrote: 'Despite this clarification, local authorities and members of Welsh Government continue to allow this term to be used to refuse a learner ALN status and provide additional learning provision. 'There can only be one solution and that is that this term is banned from use. 'While members of the Welsh Government still use this term when discussing ALN including during media interviews, it gives local authorities opportunity to follow suit and continue to deny ALN to learners.' Lynne Neagle wrote to the Senedd's petitions committee in response to the petition, apologising for a near-three month delay in replying to correspondence. Wales' education secretary, who chaired the education committee as it scrutinised reforms in 2017, said: 'I want to be clear that 'universal provision' should not be a reason to deny ALN. 'However, I am aware that the term 'universal provision' is widely used by schools and local authorities when describing the provision… generally available to all pupils of the same age. 'Estyn's recent thematic review of the ALN reforms reports there is confusion in schools and local authorities around what constitutes 'universal' provision and what is ALP. This confusion is causing difficulties when determining whether a learner has ALN.'
ITV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Carmarthenshire Council commits to replacing Llanelli's Ysgol Heol Goffa as two options mooted
Carmarthenshire Council has committed to replacing Llanelli's only special school, after proposals which were years in the making were last year scrapped due to rising costs. Ysgol Heol Goffa was established in the early 1970s and accommodates 75 pupils, but it cannot meet the current demand for education provision for children with additional learning needs. Plans to build a new school to replace Ysgol Heol Goffa were first announced eight years ago in 2017, after an inspection found that the learning environment was "adequate" and "areas of the school building, limit significantly the range of learning opportunities that can take place on site". But last year the local authority decided not to press ahead with the plans, citing increasing project costs. That decision sparked anger among campaigners, and the council commissioned an independent review of ALN provision in the Llanelli area. The review's findings were published in February this year, with six potential options presented. At a meeting on Monday, 16 June, the Plaid Cymru-run council's cabinet decided it will consider two of those options, which both include a new school and increased ALN provision. The two options being considered are: Building a new 150-pupil special school, and develop proposals to build one primary and one secondary specialist centre for pupils with autistic spectrum conditions attached to mainstream schools. Building a new 250-pupil special school to include provision for pupils with autistic spectrum conditions. Councillors have asked council officers for further details on feasibility and costs before making a final decision "as soon as possible". Darren Price, leader of Carmarthenshire Council, told ITV Cymru Wales: "Clearly, we are facing increased demand for ALN provision across the county. "It's no different to other parts of Wales, but what we recognise is we need to invest in new, modern facilities, to deliver that ALN provision in the town." Asked if there will be a new building for Heol Goffa, Cllr Price said: "Absolutely. "The previous proposal that we had in Llanelli was for a 120-pupil school for Heol Goffa. The work that (consultant) David Davies has carried out on our behalf has shown that that school would have been too small on day one, so there's a need to go to at least 150 pupils for any new provision. "We absolutely understand the frustration that's been felt by school staff, pupils and parents and the wider community and we want to get this decision done as soon as possible so we can get on and invest in those key provisions for Llanelli. "Heol Goffa and ALN provision in Llanelli is a key priority for us... Heol Goffa is certainly at the top of the agenda and it's one of the schools we want to be investing in as soon as possible." Asked if families would have to wait another eight years for a new, bigger school building, he said: "Absolutely not. That certainly isn't the intention. We want to proceed as soon as possible." As for confidence in funding being there to invest in new school infrastructure, the council leader said: "Certainly, we've got concerns in terms of the funding envelope we have as a council in terms of investing, in terms of our school estate. "That's no different to any other council. I think there are frustrations across the country in terms of how much money we've got to invest in capital schemes, and that of course is why we've had to review the situation with Heol Goffa. "We've got a fixed level of funding that we can invest in terms of schools and there's a duty on us to look at that funding in the most diligent way possible, but one thing we are absolutely clear on is that the provision of ALN facilities in Llanelli is a top priority for the council and we hope to see progress on that as soon as possible." In response, the leader of the Labour group at Carmarthenshire Council, Deryk Cundy, said he was furious that no hard and fast timeline for the new school had been agreed. "They have kicked this into the long grass yet again," Cllr Cundy said. "They just can't seem to make a decision. "It's a kick in the teeth for the parents. All the time they are delaying, the prices for building a new school are going up and up." School campaigner and Lliedi ward town councillor Shaun Greaney said: "I'm frightened the delays could actually jeopardise the whole project. "Labour has committed to funding 75 per cent of the total cost from Welsh Government, but we don't know what will happen at the Senedd elections next year.
