When you disagree with the local authority decision regarding ALN or ALP.

From time to time, disagreements may arise about Additional Learning Needs (ALN) or Additional Learning Provision (ALP). As far as possible, they should be resolved at the earliest opportunity. The inclusive process of developing an individual development plan (IDP) and the duty to take into account the views, wishes and feelings of the child, child's parents or young person is intended to help overcome concerns at an early stage and avoid disagreements from arising.

I am still unhappy with the decision, what next?

If you have contacted the ALN Caseworker team and you need further support, this can be provided via formal dispute resolution (mediation). In Swansea, this service is provided independent from the council and can be accessed via the ALN Caseworker team. The service can be requested by the young person, parent, and education establishment or by the council. Participation is voluntary.

If requested, the service is provided by a trained and experienced facilitator who arranges and facilitates a more formal disagreement resolution discussion and meetings. All mediation at this stage is formal and will involve:

• Following statutory timescales
• Appointing a facilitator
• Gaining formal consent
• Taking a history from all parties
• Gaining the voice of the child / young person
• Agreeing on a time for a formal mediation meeting
• Holding the meeting
• Agreeing on actions
• Sharing the agreed actions with all involved parties.

The process uses mediation as a positive way of resolving disagreements and feels that mediation can not only resolve these issues but also provide the opportunity to restore or improve the relationship between parents or young people and the council. The aim is always to consider the needs of the child or young person first and to keep the focus on solutions to the important issues.

Dispute resolution next steps

A child / young person and / or parent / carer can refer to the SEN Tribunal for Wales or Education Tribunal for Wales if they are unsatisfied with the outcomes regarding decisions made about ALN or ALP by the local authority.