September 2021 heralds the start of some significant changes to the Welsh educational system. Arguably the most significant is the introduction of the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Code for Wales 2021.

Under the change, Wales moves from a school-focused ALN support system into a multi-agency collaboration - akin to the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in England - where the young person and their family are at the centre of the process.

Like all new systems, there is a lot of uncertainty on how this is going to work. However, for those of us that have worked as a Sendco in England, the changes are not so monumental with many similarities between the two. Here’s what you need to know.

What are the SEND changes in Wales?

Change of language

Like with the English SEND Code of Practice (2014), Wales moves away from using the terms School Action, School Action Plus and Statement.

Instead, we will now be using the terms: Universal Provision, Universal Targeted Provision and Individual Development Plan (IDP). These will now be the new graduated response.

Change in approach

Following the “rights-based approach”, the young person leads the plan while the agencies must identify their provision, the cost implications and proposed outcomes.

The IDP, like the EHCP, is underpinned by Helen Sanderson’s Person-Centred Planning principles, focusing on how to support the young person’s aspirations into successful outcomes for young people aged 0-25.

However, not all IDPs will be the responsibility of the local authority. Schools will only apply to the local authority if a specialist or an out-of-area placement is required.

What do leaders need to do?

As the ALN Code was only finalised in March 2021, local authorities have had the summer term to prepare and deliver training. 

Even if there is a feeling of cautious optimism about the changes, it is also understandable to also feel wary about how the changes will impact on the school Alnco.

So how best to prepare? I would recommend that leaders take the following steps:

1. Create timelines

Use your local authority’s ALN team to help map out a timeline of when each year group needs to be transitioned from Statement to IDP.

Use your timetable and school calendar and block at least double the time that you think you need to get the first few completed. It will get quicker but at first it is helpful to have the extra time.

2. Begin budgets

In early September, speak to the school business manager or headteacher to get a breakdown of hourly staffing costs and job descriptions.

All of this information is vital for your costed departmental provision map. 

3. Audit support

You will need to map out all of the support that you and your team actually provide. For those with additional funding, this can be utilised for evidence of where delegated funding has been spent.

In addition to being necessary for the new guidelines, collating this information is also highly useful for governors and SLT to see the amount of time that is spent on support that is too often thought of as just “other stuff”.

4. Communicate with parents

It would be realistic for primary schools to aim for October half-term for their home-school communications to begin on the changes.

For secondaries and colleges, this might need to be a little earlier in order to coincide with planned open evenings.

I would begin by creating a leaflet for parents on the changes. This should be in both digital and physical format in order to reach as many parents as possible.

5. Update your website

It is important that you remember to update all of the language used in school communication, particularly on your school website.

You can also use the website to signpost information for parents, and then share these links with feeder schools where possible.

6. Transition preparation

This year it would be sensible to bring forward the start of your transition process.

For secondary colleagues, contact your tertiary colleagues as their funding and support systems are very different. Primary colleagues, beginning at the start of Year 6 would be fine.

7. Network for support

Now is the time to make the most of your support networks. It is a good idea to link up with other Alnco teachers.

Managing such a huge change can be incredibly stressful and isolating, so look after yourself and share the load.

8. Ensure communication is clear

With so many acronyms and abbreviations, it’s easy for non-specialists to feel lost.

Not everyone is used to the SEND jargon, so remember to use clear language so everyone understands what you are doing.

It is easy to become overwhelmed. I have to remind myself that this is a three-year transition plan and even with previous experience, it will take time to achieve mastery.

Donna Jones is the Alnco at Ysgol Clywedog, Wrexham, and tweets as @jaspertobycat