Research to establish a baseline of the Special Educational Needs system in Wales

The research was focused on professionals. It included an e-survey of professionals on specific aspects of the current system and in-depth qualitative research was across four LAs. Each case study was based on interviews with practitioners working in schools, PRUs, FEIs, LAs and LHBs.

Main findings

• Overall, there was general agreement that current processes and practices within the SEN system are effective. 
• It was felt that some aspects of the system (e.g. timeliness of processes, availability of Welsh-language assessment tools) need addressing and some variation in quality exists. 
• Most participants from schools and colleges agreed that assessment and review processes and the delivery of special educational provision (SEP) for learners are effective. 
• Schools and other organisations are preparing for implementing changes related to the Act. Many participants described the forthcoming changes as cultural, including promoting the importance of gaining different perspectives on learning.
• Some schools consider some of these changes to be potentially onerous with concerns about the time implications of some aspects of the reforms.