Decision details

The Director, Education and Inclusion Services provided the Cabinet with information on a data gathering exercise that has been undertaken in order to facilitate a detailed review of special school provision throughout the County Borough. The review also considered the impact of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal Act (2018) from a national and local perspective.

The Director advised that the purpose of the report was to address the demand for additional capacity in special schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf to accommodate the growth in learner numbers and to acknowledge that the statutory duties placed upon the Council to deliver the obligations of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act (ALNET Act), which will compound the pressures placed on capacity pressures in the special school sector.

Members’ attention was drawn to Section 4 of the report, which provided detailed analysis of the increasing demand across special school placements. The data comparison demonstrated that there had been a consistent increase in learner numbers, year on year since 2016, in both Ysgol Hen Felin and Ysgol Ty Coch.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services acknowledged that it was difficult to project demand going forward but accepted that the data demonstrated a steady rise. The Cabinet Member commented that there were restrictions at some school sites and that with the implementation of new legislation, the ALNET Act (2018), in September 2021, it was important to undertake a review of the provision.

With the agreement of the Chair, County Borough Councillor L. Walker spoke on the item.

The Leader thanked Councillor Walker for his comments and the Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the content of the report;

2.    To acknowledge the pressures on our special schools and the need for a detailed review of special school provision throughout the County Borough;

3.    To additional scoping work being undertaken including feasibility studies where appropriate, to inform potential proposals for change; and

4.    To receive a further report presenting the outcome of the review including recommendations for potential future investment.