Written question WQ82696

The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act (ALNET Act) is being implemented from September 2021. The ALN Code and associated regulations were debated and agreed by the Senedd on 23 March 2021. This included:

• The Additional Learning Needs Regulations;

• The Education Tribunal for Wales Regulations; and

• The Equality Act 2010 (Capacity of parents and persons over compulsory School age) Regulations.

The then Minister for Education also made and laid, on 2 March 2021, the Education (Pupil Referral Units) (Management Committees etc.) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 and the Independent Schools (Provision of Information) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.

On 22 June, I laid the following sets of regulations, which are two elements of a further suite of consequential and subordinate legislation to be made as part of the implementation of the Act, and are due to be debated by the Senedd on 13 July:

• The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2021

• The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.

In terms of readiness for implementation among delivery partners and within the Education sector, five Welsh Government funded regional ALN Transformation Leads (TLs) support local authorities, early years settings, schools, FE and other partners to prepare for and manage transition to the new ALN system. Feedback is that although levels of readiness are variable and have been affected by COVID-19, preparation is sufficient for the reforms to proceed on a phased basis from September 2021.

The ALNET Act and the ALN system continue to be a key priority for this government, and we will continue to work with all partners and stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation.