Individual development plans and ALN support in Wales
This page explains how children with additional learning needs (ALN) are supported in Wales. It covers Individual Development Plans (IDPs), how they are created, your rights, and what to do if your child is not getting the support they need.
- Getting extra help at school in Wales
- Requesting an IDP
- What should an IDP include?
- Requesting a school
- Timescales in brief
- Getting help and support
- Links, resources and article sources
Getting extra help at school in Wales
Children in Wales who need extra help at school are described as having additional learning needs (ALN). In other parts of the UK, this is called special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
All children with ALN should have an Individual development plan (IDP), which sets out the support they need.
All schools in Wales must have a written ALN policy and an ALN co-ordinator (ALNCO) to make sure it happens.
What is an IDP?
An Individual development plan (IDP) explains:
- your child’s needs
- the support they will get (called additional learning provision or ALP)
- the outcomes the support should help them achieve.
An IDP is legally binding, which means the school or local authority must provide the support in it.
Who can get an IDP?
Children and young people aged 0 to 25 with additional learning needs (ALN) can get an IDP if they are in education or training (not university).
Schools will often identify ALN themselves. If this doesn’t happen, you can ask for a meeting with the school to discuss your concerns. You can use our letter template to request a meeting with the school.
Requesting an IDP
The first step is to decide whether your child has ALN.
If a school, college or local authority thinks a child might have ALN, they must decide whether they do or not.
You should:
- contact the school
- ask for a meeting with the ALN Co-ordinator (ALNCo)
- ask for a decision about whether your child has ALN.
If the school cannot decide, you can contact your local authority and ask them to look into your child’s needs. They may carry out assessments or ask for advice from specialists.
Local authorities usually have up to 12 weeks to respond.
What happens next?
If it is agreed that your child has ALN, an IDP must be created. You and your child should be involved in this.
If they decide your child does not have ALN, they will not create an IDP.
What if your child’s needs are not recognised?
If the school or local authority says your child does not have ALN, they must explain why and tell you how to challenge the decision.
Even without an IDP, they still have a duty to support your child.
Some parents find it difficult to get the right support put in place. Knowing your rights can help you ask for what your child needs.
Your rights
The ALN system in Wales is based on:
- Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018
- Additional Learning Needs (Wales) Regulations 2021
- Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales 2021
- Education Tribunal for Wales Regulations 2021.
These set out what schools and local authorities must do.
You have the right to challenge decisions, including:
- if your child is refused an IDP
- if you disagree with what is in the IDP.
You can:
- use mediation (dispute resolution)
- appeal to the Education tribunal for Wales.
What should an IDP include?
If your child has ALN, an IDP must be created.
The plan should include:
- your child’s needs
- learning targets
- the support they will get
- who will provide the support
- the school they will attend
- when the plan will be reviewed.
The plan may also include support from health or social care services.
Annual review
IDPs must be reviewed at least once a year, or more often if needed.
The review looks at:
- your child’s progress
- whether support is working
- whether changes are needed.
You can ask for a review at any time if your child’s needs change.
The process usually includes:
- collecting reports from everyone involved
- a meeting to talk about progress
- a written record of the meeting
- a decision about any changes.
After the review, the plan may:
- stay the same
- be changed
- be ended.
You can challenge the decision if you do not agree.
Requesting a school
You can ask for a particular school when the IDP is created or reviewed.
The local authority must consider your preference, but they make the final decision.
If you do not agree with the decision, you can appeal to the Education Tribunal.
Timescales in brief
- School creates IDP: up to 35 school days
- Local authority creates IDP: up to 12 weeks
- Reconsideration by local authority: up to 7 weeks
- Review reports shared: at least 2 weeks before meeting
- Comments on draft: 15 days
Getting help and support
You may find it helpful to:
- talk to other parents or carers
- join local support groups
- use our Autism Services Directory to find support near you.
SNAP Cymru is a national charity that provides free advice, advocacy and mediation.
The All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers can help you find local and national information.
Find your local Family Information Service through the gov.wales website.
The charity Contact has information on parent support groups.
Links, resources and article sources
National Autistic Society
Autism Services Directory: for services and support
Branches: offering support, information and social activities for autistic adults, children and their families in their local areas
Community: our online community is a place for autistic people and their families to meet like-minded people and share their experiences
Other advice, information and support
- SNAP Cymru – national charity
- Get help with additional learning needs from your local authority
- Additional learning needs (ALN): parent and carers toolkit
- Each local authority in Wales has a local autism lead. You can find links on the Neurodivergence Wales website.
Article sources
- Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018
- Additional Learning Needs (Wales) Regulations 2021
- Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales 2021
- Education Tribunal for Wales Regulations 2021
This page contains examples of support, and information about specialist organisations, that comes from our direct experience of helping autistic people and their families, in addition to information based on a review of the evidence as described on Our advice and guidance content process page.