If a young person has an additional learning need (ALN) or disability, they will have support to make the transition from school to college. The young person, their parents or carers, the transition team from the college and anyone else that may be appropriate (such as a Careers Wales advisor and other professionals) can start planning for the additional support they may need early.
The school’s Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCO) will invite everyone to the annual review meetings in school.
At the review, the young person can tell everyone about their support needs and aspirations for when they move to the college. Once the college is aware of any additional learning support, they will invite the young person to go to the college and talk to them about their specific support needs.
How colleges should support students with ALN
The college must organise additional learning provision where it is needed. This means any support that is different or extra to what is offered to all learners. They will consider:
- learners needs,
- stage of development, and
- the requirements of the course the learner has applied for.
With the aim of identifying the support that is needed, and what they can do to support them.
They will follow the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal Act 2018. This means they have to:
- support students with ALN, and
- follow the Equality Act 2010.
The college will carry out regular reviews of the support they provide. An individual might need different support at different times.
The college may provide support through:
- a student support team,
- skills coaches,
- wellbeing support,
- small group support,
- assistive technology,
- in-class support,
- communication support, and
- specific learning support.