Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language
The ALNCo Task and Finish Group, established in May 2023 to consider the remuneration and non-contact time of Additional Learning Needs Coordinators (ALNCos), has provided a report which I have published on the Welsh Government website today and shared with the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB) for their consideration. I would like to thank all the members of the Task and Finish Group, under the leadership of Dr Sue Davies, for their commitment and input into what has been a complex area of consideration.
I fully recognise the significant and important role ALNCos play in the teaching workforce in Wales. It is clear there is a lot to do to ensure all partners can effectively support ALNCos to manage workload and reduce bureaucracy, enabling them to continue to inform practice and oversee implementation of the ALN system effectively.
We continue to make extensive investment in the Additional Learning Needs implementation. In 2023-24, £10.4 million was made directly to schools to increase resources to implement the ALN system and lead whole-school strategies to embed inclusive education.
The ALN professional learning offer available to practitioners, system leaders and advisors enables them to develop the skills they need to meet the needs of learners with ALN so they can put in place differentiated teaching or other targeted interventions and make best use of expert advice and support. Furthermore, the national ALN professional learning pathway is available to all teachers who support learners with ALN, and especially ALNCos who have a strategic role in schools and colleges and are the first point of call for teachers seeking advice and guidance on ALN.
We have also already taken steps to address some of the further considerations identified by the Task and Finish Group. An internal review of ALN professional learning material is underway to identify areas for development and improvement to broaden pedagogical development for all practitioners. We are also developing a series of case studies with local authorities and school settings to highlight areas of good practice in collaborative working.
We will continue to work collaboratively with practitioners, employers and their representatives to support ALNCos as we complete implementation and move toward realising the intent of reform; to provide a person-centred approach to providing all learners with the skills and knowledge they need to play a full and active role in their communities and wider society.