Additional learning needs (ALN): ambassador programme

As part of an evaluation of the implementation of the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Act, we commissioned Children in Wales (CIW) to work directly with children and young people to create a Wales wide ALN Children and Young Persons Participation group.

The group was established to:

• create a channel for children and young people to share their experiences of the SEN and ALN system during ALN Act implementation
• empower learners with ALN to influence decisions about their education
• strengthen children’s rights to participation as set out in the ALN Code
• ensure children’s views shape policy and service delivery

The ALN ambassador project has provided valuable insights into the experience of an ALN learner in education from the perspective of the individual, surfaced valuable examples of effective practice across the sector and has identified areas for development.

This work ensures:

• children and young people’s voices are meaningfully included in shaping policy and services
• children and young people’s rights are placed at the heart of ALN planning and delivery
• identify routes to share the voice and perspectives of children and young people with practitioners, schools and settings