FamilyFX: The Family Reset System
Local support in Wales

Additional learning needs in Wales: support, IDPs and advice

Wales uses the additional learning needs system from birth to age 25. Support should focus on the additional learning provision a child or young person needs, not on making families collect a particular label first.

Sources checked 14 August 2026Next review 14 August 2027
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How support is organised in Wales

If you think your child may have additional learning needs, speak to their school, nursery, college or local authority. Explain what is difficult, what has already been tried and what you think would help. The setting or authority should consider whether the child has ALN and, if so, what additional learning provision is required.

An individual development plan, usually called an IDP, records the person's additional learning needs and the provision needed to meet them. Children and young people should be involved in decisions in a way that is accessible to them.

Schools and local authorities have central roles in deciding and supporting ALN. Further education institutions have responsibilities for their learners, and NHS bodies may be involved where health provision is relevant. Exactly who maintains an IDP depends on the person's circumstances.

Each Welsh local authority publishes information about ALN and local support. SNAP Cymru provides independent information and advice, while Llais represents people's voices in health and social care and can support concerns about those services.

The Welsh Government's ALN pages are the best starting point for the national framework. Local authority pages then explain the current contacts and processes for your area.

Urgent help

Urgent mental health help in Wales

NHS 111 Wales offers urgent mental health support through 111, option 2. Call 999 if life is at immediate risk.

Visit Urgent mental health help in Wales

National organisations and independent advice

Welsh Government additional learning needs guidance

The national source for the ALN system, IDPs and rights in Wales.

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SNAP Cymru

Independent information and advice about ALN education processes.

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Llais

Independent representation and support for people using health and social care services.

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NHS 111 Wales

Official urgent health and mental health access through NHS 111 Wales.

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National guidance and support

Welsh Government ALN guidance for families

Welsh Government additional learning needs guidance

Official guidance on additional learning needs, individual development plans and rights under the Welsh system.

Who it is for: Children and young people in Wales who have or may have additional learning needs.

How to access it: Start with the education setting or local authority and use the government pages to check who should decide and maintain an IDP.

Check current details

SNAP Cymru information and advice

SNAP Cymru

Independent ALN information and advice for families and young people in Wales.

Who it is for: Families and young people seeking help with additional learning needs and education processes in Wales.

How to access it: Use the SNAP Cymru website to check current advice and contact options.

Check current details

Practical next steps

Ask for the concern and next action to be recorded. If an ALN decision is being made, ask who is responsible, how your child will take part and when you will receive the decision in writing.

Read the proposed IDP for precision. It should make the need and provision understandable, rather than relying on broad phrases that could mean different things to different people. Ask how progress will be reviewed and what will happen if the provision is not working.

If you disagree with a decision, ask for the local disagreement-resolution information and consider independent advice early. It is often easier to resolve a problem when the exact point of disagreement is clear.

Related FamilyFX help

Library articleSchool Support Scotland Wales Northern IrelandSee how the Welsh system differs from England.Library articleSend Rights Scotland Wales Northern IrelandFind the right national language and rights route.Library articleKeeping A Record For School And Gp MeetingsKeep a useful record without creating more pressure.

Sources and checking dates

Local services change. We check the sources below and review any substantive change before altering the page.