Terms of reference

The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (The Act) makes provision for a new statutory framework for supporting children and young people with additional learning needs (ALN). Replacing the existing legislation surrounding special educational needs (SEN) and the assessment of children and young people with learning difficulties and (or) disabilities (LDD) in post-16 education and training.

Implementation of the Act commenced on the 1 September 2021, with the new ALN system being phased over a four years up until September 2025.

The purpose of the ALN National Steering group is to bring together key delivery partners and stakeholders to provide strategic direction, advice, support to inform the implementation, monitoring, ongoing improvement and evaluation of Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (ALNET) implementation. 

The group will:

• inform key decisions on the implementation of ALNET
• provide advice and steer to support the sector with ongoing implementation of ALNET
• contribute to multiagency action and improvement to plan for and meet the needs of ALN learners
• improve outcomes for children and young people with Additional Learning Needs
• ensure that all sectors put in place the five principles set out within the statutory framework

The group will contribute to both phases of work:

• Phase 1: ongoing implementation of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (ALNET) Act and will run until the end of 2023.
• Phase 2: inform and prepare for the monitoring and evaluation of the reform until the end of 2025. This phase will also create an infrastructure that will strengthen delivery as implementation closes and move with an ALN Improvement and innovation focus.

To achieve this purpose the Steering Group will meet on a quarterly basis to:

• position the status of ALN policy as a national educational priority and provide impetus to its delivery
• shape and provide steer on ALN policy solutions, test the robustness of proposals to deliver systemic improvements, and offer advice on deliverability
• provide leadership to ensure essential multi-agency working and collaboration
• identify key workstreams and the timescales necessary to secure effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• provide a forum for discussion and debate, promoting a culture of challenge and support
• support the development of robust implementation, monitoring and evaluation arrangements and inform on methods to track implementation and success
• advise on and support the delivery of ALN communications, consultation products and guidance
• identify risks and barriers, identifying opportunities and potential solutions and reflect lessons learned dynamically

Members of the Steering Group are expected to:

• be committed to supporting the work of the Steering Group
• attend Steering Group meetings or nominate a representative to attend in their place
• prepare for meetings, including completing any actions from previous meetings
• update the Steering Group on matters of interest, and cascade information within their own networks and relevant forums as appropriate

The Steering Group will work the to agreed Terms of Reference and be accountable to the Deputy Director for Support For Learners (Senior Responsible Owner).

The Steering Group membership consists of:

• The Cabinet Secretary for Education.
• Local authorities and Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).
• Health (Welsh Government and NHS Wales).
• Education.
• The Education Tribunal for Wales (ETW).
• National Implementation Leads.
• Welsh Government ALN officials.
• Estyn.
• Third sector organisations.

Other representatives can be co-opted as necessary or invited to attend on particular requirements.

The Steering Group will be chaired by the National Strategic ALN Lead, with the Deputy Director of the Support for Learners Division in Welsh Government acting as deputy where necessary.

Representatives must nominate, in advance, a deputy that is empowered and has delegated responsibility on their behalf if they are unable to attend Steering Group meetings.

Secretariat services for Steering Group will be provided by Welsh Government.

Agendas should be circulated a week in advance of meetings and all papers no later than three days before a meeting.

Decisions of the Steering Group will be understood to be collective and to be acted on by all members, unless there are specific circumstances where a majority decision is recorded.

Tasks and Finish groups established will report to the steering group with a progress report and or presentation to the Steering Group on a quarterly basis.