Additional learning needs (ALN) in Wales: IDPs and your child's rights

The ALN system in Wales

Wales has its own system for children and young people who need extra help to learn, from birth to 25. It's set out in the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 and explained in the ALN Code. Since September 2025 it has fully replaced the old special educational needs (SEN) system (GOV.WALES).

A child has additional learning needs (ALN) if they have a learning difficulty or disability that makes it harder for them to learn than most children their age, so they need extra or different help (GOV.WALES). Most children with PURA syndrome will.

The individual development plan (IDP)

Every child or young person identified with ALN has a legal plan called an individual development plan, or IDP. It sets out their needs, the support they'll get (called additional learning provision) and what that support should help them achieve. It doesn't matter whether a school, college or the council keeps it: it's a legal plan either way (GOV.WALES).

The IDP must be reviewed at least every 12 months. You, your child or the school can ask for an earlier review.

Who writes it, and how fast

Usually the school does, through its additional learning needs co-ordinator (ALNCo). Once it's been brought to their attention that a child may have ALN, a school has 35 school days to decide and prepare the IDP. A council has 12 weeks (GOV.WALES).

For children below school age, the process is different and the council plays a bigger part. The Welsh Government’s 2026 toolkit for parents and carers explains it. Children with complex needs, as many with PURA have, sometimes have their IDP kept by the council rather than the school, and you can ask about this.

Health and other services

If your child's NHS team (for example speech and language therapy or physiotherapy) is involved, ask for their advice to be included when the IDP is written or reviewed. Bring recent reports to meetings. Our printable school-meeting checklist can help.

If you disagree

Start by talking to the ALNCo. If that doesn't sort it, you can ask the council to reconsider a school's decision, and it must tell you its decision and reasons within 7 weeks (GOV.WALES).

You can appeal certain council and college decisions to the Education Tribunal for Wales, usually within 8 weeks of the council's final decision letter. If you use the council's dispute resolution service first, the time limit is extended by 8 weeks (GOV.WALES).

Children and young people also have a right to free, independent advocacy, someone who helps them have their say. Your council must tell you how to get it.

Free, independent help

SNAP Cymru is the Welsh charity that gives families free information, advice and advocacy about ALN. Your council's ALN team must also give you information and advice. Contact can help with school and benefits too.

Living in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland? The system is different: use the chooser at the top of this page.

Sources

Checked 1 Nov 2026. Rules, rates and services change, so always check the latest version.

• https://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2018/2/contents
• https://www.gov.wales/additional-learning-needs-code
• https://www.gov.wales/guide-about-rights-children-their-parents-and-young-people-under-additional-learning-needs-aln-html
• https://www.gov.wales/data-monitor-additional-learning-needs-aln-system-html
• https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2026-05/toolkit-for-parents-and-carers-of-children-with-additional-learning-needs-2026_0.pdf
• https://educationtribunal.gov.wales/
• https://www.snapcymru.org/