What is ALN?

Additional Learning needs, often referred to as ‘ALN’, is a new term used to describe learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for a child to learn compared to children of the same age. Approximately one in five learners in Wales have Additional Learning Needs (ALN).

All children may experience challenges with their learning at some point and for most children, these difficulties overcome with support from teachers and home.  However, children with ALN are likely to need extra or different help to be able to learn.

Some children may have ALN because of a medical condition or disability, other children may have ALN without a diagnosis or disability.  Children are not considered to have ALN just because their first language is not English or Welsh.

The definition of ‘additional learning needs’ (ALN) is very similar to the current definition of special educational needs.  The major difference is that it can be used for children and young people from 0 – 25

The ALNET Wales Act 2018 (Part 2, Chapter 1)  (Chapter 2 ALN Code)  says:

A person has additional learning needs if he or she has a learning difficulty or disability (whether the learning difficulty or disability arises from a medical condition or otherwise) which calls for additional learning provision.

Importantly, the definition of ALN covers learners whose learning difficulty or disability that arises from a medical condition.

A child or young person would not have ALN if their lack of progress or learning difficulties can be addressed through differentiated teaching of the kind that is usually available in schools or colleges.

Additional learning needs (“ALN”) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. For example, someone’s ALN might affect their:

• reading and writing
• ability to understand things
• behaviour or ability to socialise and communicate
• concentration levels
• physical ability

Deciding ALN or NOT?

There are two questions to ask when deciding whether a child or young person has ALN and these should be considered together

1. Do they have a learning difficulty or disability?

A child or young person has a learning difficulty or disability if:

• they have significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or
• they have a has a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities for education or training of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream maintained schools or mainstream institutions in the further education sector.
• A child under compulsory school age has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she is, or would be if no additional learning provision were made

(S2 (2)(a)of the Act) (Chapter 2 ALN Code)

2. Does that learning difficulty or disability call for additional learning provision (ALP) to be made?

(S3(1)Act) (Chapter 2 ALN Code)

Additional Learning Provision for over three’s means educational or training provision that is additional to, or different from, that made generally for others of the same age .  This is a wide definition, and could cover a wide range of things, for example:

• needing regular one-to-one support
• physical, communication or sensory support
• communicating through sign language
• needing small class sizes with specialist support
• requiring support from a specialist teacher

ALP is described as provision which is ‘additional to, or different from’, that made generally for others of the same age in mainstream maintained schools.

This is a national comparison of ALP extended to all Wales and not just the particular school or area.  This benchmark has been included so individual schools and LA’s cannot rely on local provision or policy when deciding whether a child has ALN or not.  If a child has ALN they should have an IDP irrespective of which school , county or region of Wales they live.

If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then the child or young person has ALN.   

Children and young people with ALN  are entitled to extra support with learning at nursery, school or college and are entitled to an Individual Development Plan (IDP)

For a child under three, ALP means educational provision of any kind.

The Welsh Government anticipates that the same number of children or young persons will have ALN as SEN at present, but that the new term will reduce stigma and mark a clear break from the old system.

Every child and young person is different and each child or young persons need will be considered individually.

If you have questions, or need more information, you can scroll down to read through our frequently asked questions, we’ve covered many different topics to make things clear for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve put together some questions and answers in relation to What is ALN/ALP?: