Decision details

The Head of Inclusion Services provided Cabinet with an update on the implementation of the ALNET (Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal) Act (2018) from and to provide Cabinet with information on the implications of the new legislation for the council from a local perspective.

The Cabinet were informed of the changes planned in Wales in relation to the statutory provision required to meet the needs of learners with Special Educational Needs (SEN)/Additional Learning Needs (ALN) with the implementation of new legislation, the ALNET Act (2018), in September 2021. The ALNET (Wales) Act 2018 (The 2018 Act) received Royal Assent in January 2018.

The officer provided the Cabinet with details in respect of the new statutory framework the eleven core aims within the Act, which were outlined at Section 4 of the report.

The officer explained that RCT County Borough Council must be prepared to implement the new ALN system in line with the prescribed timescales from September 2021 and recommended that additional work be undertaken to facilitate a detailed review of the additional resources the County Borough’s Access and Inclusion Service, to ensure that RCTCBC is able to implement fully the new statutory requirements of the ALNET Act, and enable all learners with ALN to achieve their potential through the effective implementation of transformational reform.  

The Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services thanked the officer for the update and commented that the review was necessary to address the demand for additional capacity for the local authority to undertake its enhanced statutory duties under the new ALNET Act to ensure that all children and young people in Rhondda Cynon Taf receive high quality ALN provision. The Cabinet Member added that she looked forward to receiving the outcome of the review and considering the potential investment that may be required.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the content of the report;

2.    To a review being undertaken to scope the additional resources needed to implement the new ALN legislation; and

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