Your child's rights under the ALN system in Wales

If your child is in school or childcare in Wales, the short answer is this: your child has clear legal rights under the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system, and you do not need a diagnosis to use them. Decisions are based on what your child needs, and there are set timeframes, free help and an independent tribunal if things go wrong.

This guide pulls together the rights parents most often don't hear about. It is general information, not legal advice, and it is based on the Welsh Government toolkit for parents and carers.

You don't need a diagnosis

Needs come first. A school or Local Authority decides whether a child has ALN by looking at whether they have a learning difficulty or disability that calls for additional learning provision (ALP). A medical diagnosis can be useful evidence, but it is not a condition for support.

If you are waiting for an assessment, you can still ask the school's Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo) to consider whether your child has ALN now.

Timeframes and what an IDP means

Schools normally have 35 school days to decide whether a child has ALN once the question is raised, and to prepare an Individual Development Plan (IDP) if they do. Local Authorities normally have 12 weeks.

An IDP is a legal document. The provision written in it must be delivered. It must be reviewed at least every 12 months, and you can ask for an earlier review if things change or are not working.

Welsh-medium provision. If your child needs their ALP in Welsh, the IDP must say so, and the school or council must take all reasonable steps to provide it.

Who's who

• ALNCo: the person in each school who coordinates ALN support. Usually your first contact.
• EYALNLO (Early Years ALN Lead Officer): every council has one. They coordinate support for children under school age, including those not yet in a funded nursery place.
• DECLO (Designated Education Clinical Lead Officer): each health board has one, linking health services with schools and councils so health input can be part of an IDP.

If you disagree

1. Talk to the school first. Ask for the reasons in writing. 2. Ask the Local Authority. You cannot appeal a school directly. You can ask the council to reconsider the school's decision or take over the IDP. It normally decides within 7 weeks. 3. Use dispute resolution. Every council must offer a free, independent disagreement resolution service. 4. Appeal to the tribunal. The Education Tribunal for Wales can hear appeals about ALN decisions, IDP content, the named school, Welsh-medium provision and decisions to refuse, take over or stop an IDP.

SNAP Cymru offers free, independent advice at every step.

Advocates and case friends

Children can have a free independent advocate to help them share their views and use their rights. Ask your council how to access the service.

A case friend can act on behalf of a child at the tribunal if the child is not able to bring or manage an appeal themselves.

Frequently asked questions

In summary

Your child's support in Wales rests on their needs, not a label. There are timeframes, a legal plan that must be delivered and reviewed, and free help if you disagree. If you'd like a tailored starting point, try our free Education tool.