By working together, schools, families, and professionals can help every learner achieve their potential and participate fully in school life.

What has changed?

Wales has introduced a new system for supporting children and young people with learning needs. The Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system replaces the previous Special Educational Needs (SEN) system, creating a more consistent and person-centred approach across Wales.

The aim is to ensure that children and young people receive the right support at the right time, with their views and those of their families placed at the centre of decision-making.

What is an Additional Learning Need (ALN)?

A child or young person is considered to have an Additional Learning Need if they have a learning difficulty or disability that means they need additional support to learn compared with most others of the same age.

ALN can include difficulties relating to:

Communication and interaction

Cognition and learning

Social, emotional, or behavioural needs

Physical, sensory, or medical needs

Key Principles of the ALN System

  1. A Person-Centred Approach
    Children, young people, and their families should be actively involved in discussions and decisions about support. Their views, wishes, and aspirations are central to the planning process.
  1. One System for All
    The previous SEN categories and statements have been replaced by a single ALN system, making support more consistent across Wales.
  1. Early Identification and Support
    Schools work to identify needs as early as possible so that appropriate support can be provided before difficulties become barriers to learning.
  1. Collaboration
    Schools, families, local authorities, health services, and other professionals work together to ensure that a learner’s needs are understood and supported effectively.

What is an Individual Development Plan (IDP)?

An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a legal document that describes:

  • A learner’s additional learning needs
  • The support they require (known as Additional Learning Provision or ALP)
  • Who is responsible for providing that support
  • The outcomes being worked towards

An IDP replaces previous documents such as Statements of SEN, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and Learning and Skills Plans.

What is a One Page Profile?

Many schools use a One Page Profile to understand a learner’s strengths, interests, and support needs. The profile records:

  • What people like and admire about the learner
  • What is important to the learner
  • How best to support the learner

A One Page Profile is often used for all pupils and does not necessarily mean a child has ALN.

What does this mean for parents?

As a parent or carer, you should:

  • Be involved in discussions about your child’s learning and wellbeing.
  • Have opportunities to share your views and concerns.
  • Be kept informed about decisions regarding support.
  • Work alongside the school to help plan appropriate provision.
  • Receive information about your rights and available support services.

The Overall Aim

The ALN Transformation Programme aims to ensure that every child and young person in Wales receives support that is:

  • Individualised
  • Inclusive
  • Consistent across Wales
  • Focused on strengths as well as needs

Developed in partnership with families and learners

By working together, schools, families, and professionals can help every learner achieve their potential and participate fully in school life.