Written question WQ85550

In Wales we now have individual development plans (IDPs) that record a child’s additional learning needs (ALN) and additional learning provision.

The ALN Code for Wales explains that if a child or young person has a learning difficulty or disability which calls for additional learning provision, then they have ALN for the purposes of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act. Where it is decided that a child has ALN they will be entitled to an IDP unless exceptions apply.

Where it is brought to the attention of a school, pupil referral unit (PRU) or local authority in Wales that a child may have ALN, then the school, PRU or local authority must make a decision about whether the child has ALN and, where required, must prepare an IDP.

An IDP is a statutory plan maintained by a school, PRU, further education institution or local authority that sets out a description of a child or young person’s ALN, the additional learning provision called for by their learning difficulty or disability, and other associated information. All children and young people with ALN will be entitled to an IDP unless exceptions apply.

Unlike statements, or education health and care plans in England, IDPs are provided to children and young people with ALN irrespective of the severity or complexity of their needs. The statutory status of the IDP is the same irrespective of the child or young person’s needs, with the same rights of appeal to the Education Tribunal for Wales for anyone with an IDP.

The IDP is intended to be a flexible document that will vary in length and complexity, depending on the individual needs of learners and the way in which a learner’s needs develop and change over time.

Children and young people with healthcare needs may have an individual healthcare needs plan which, if they also have ALN, should be attached to their IDP.