(ALN) reform in FEIs
Context
During the autumn term 2024 and spring term 2025, further education institutions (FEIs) were visited by their Estyn link inspectors and an inspector with experience in working with learners who have additional learning needs (ALN). During each visit, inspectors met with key staff to discuss the ongoing implementation of colleges’ statutory responsibilities under the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018.
This report uses discussions from these meetings along with evidence from inspection activity to provide an update on the 2024 insights report Additional Learning Needs in Further Education Colleges.
Key findings
Nearly all colleges have well established structures and processes in place to meet the needs of learners with individual development plans (IDPs).
Nearly all colleges report that the time taken to fulfil their obligations has exceeded expectations and that pressure on workloads is compounded by the ongoing lack of a pan-Wales IDP electronic platform.
Collaborative working has increased, and most colleges are now working effectively with schools, local authorities and wider stakeholders to plan successful transitions into college for learners with ALN.
Most colleges report an increase in the number of learners who require support who have not formerly been identified as having ALN or who have chosen not to have an IDP.