Agenda item

To receive an update on the ALN and Inclusion Budget.

The report was submitted by the Assistant Head: Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion.

It was explained that the report dealt with the funding of applications that reached the Moderation Panel for support for individual pupils.

The need to allocate the funding based on needs and formula rather than the Moderation Panel was identified, following the lead of a number of Local Authorities that had already taken this step. It was explained that this would lead to a fairer system because the same formula would be used for all schools. It was clarified that it was based on the use of existing data. It was felt that this change would provide greater security for schools resulting in secure jobs for assistants.

Work towards this change was confirmed to have started in 2019 following an external report which suggested the best way forward. It was acknowledged that there had been some delay in this work over the course of the pandemic, but that work was now underway to achieve this change as a priority.

This change was reported to be based on PLASC ALN data. Members were reminded that seven different models had been presented to this Forum in 2022 and that this had been the preferred one following that report. It was noted that work had proceeded to develop it and it was confirmed that this was the model currently being implemented in taking the transition forward.

In response to a query, it was acknowledged that no consideration had been given to the age of the children with ALN. It was noted that this was because it enabled schools to ensure that they made the best use of the budget for the benefit of the children while also ensuring that the formula to allocate funds did not become overly complicated.

It was stressed that the ALN budget had been frozen for 2024/25 due to tight deadlines and the need to release school budgets. It was emphasised that the exceptions to this were to provide individual support to any pupil who had come into the County during this year. It was confirmed that this had given officers the opportunity to look at the budget and the best way forward when considering the transition to a centralised system for all schools. It was elaborated that ALN numbers and intensity levels were assessed by using data inputted into the Individual Development Plan.

The scheme within the PLASC ALN was expanded upon, noting that it had been developed to look at the child's needs and did not take external support into account. It was also added that a budget worth 5% of the ALN budget had been earmarked for exceptions within the school year. It was explained that exceptions included a number of things such as a sudden deterioration in circumstances, or a child with ALN needs moving into the Gwynedd education area. It was also emphasised that the budget for supporting pupils with medical needs such as type 1 diabetes or epilepsy was removed from the budget before allocation. It was confirmed that any exception would be submitted to the Moderation Panel.

Earmarking a minimum budget for each school was considered, to ensure support was available although some schools did not have pupils with Authority IDPs at the start of the financial year. It was noted that this enabled the Council to provide provision to each school in accordance with pupil numbers and the numbers with ALN.

It was hoped to include ALN budget projections in December 2024 in preparation for the transition to the new model by March 2025.

RESOLVED to accept the report.