FamilyFX: The Family Reset System
Local support in Flintshire

Additional learning needs in Flintshire: from concern to a clear plan

Flintshire County Council explains how ALN decisions, additional learning provision and individual development plans work locally.

Sources checked 14 August 2026Next review 14 August 2027
An illustrated Flintshire estuary with tidal channels, reedbeds, shoreline towns and the Clwydian hills.
Stylised illustration representing the area's character, not an exact photograph of a landmark or service location.

How support is organised in Flintshire

When a child is struggling in Flintshire, begin with the situation rather than a label. Explain what the child is expected to do, what gets in the way, how often it happens and which approaches make learning more accessible.

Speak to the teacher or ALNCo and ask what can change within the current setting. If the school is considering whether the child has ALN, the family should understand the process and how their views and the child's views will be included.

Flintshire County Council is the local education authority. Its ALN information explains the roles of schools, further education and the council, together with person-centred planning and individual development plans. Most school-age children will begin with support and consideration in their own school.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board provides NHS services across Flintshire and the wider North Wales region. The health board has duties within the Welsh ALN system where health provision may be relevant, but the education setting or council remains responsible for its own decision. SNAP Cymru and Llais provide independent routes for education advice and health or social care concerns.

FamilyFX local support signals

The local picture in Flintshire

This section maps the current health bodies serving this area and, where a comparable official measure is available, presents it alongside the national figure. It is not a rating of the area or the quality of an individual service.

Health

NHS health boards for Flintshire

Local health boards plan and provide many NHS services in Wales. Individual pathways may be delivered by a specialist team or through a regional service.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health BoardCovers Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board areaVisit health board website

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

Local organisations and advice

Flintshire County Council

Covers Flintshire

The council publishes detailed ALN, decision and IDP information.

Visit website

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Covers Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area

The health board provides NHS services across the six North Wales council areas.

Visit website

SNAP Cymru

Covers Wales

Independent information and advice about ALN and education processes.

Visit website

Llais

Covers Wales

Independent support for people raising health and social care concerns.

Visit website

NHS 111 Wales

Covers Wales

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

Visit website

Services and local pathways

Welsh Government ALN guidance for families

Welsh Government additional learning needs guidance

Official Welsh Government guidance about ALN, IDPs and rights.

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.

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 the school to distinguish ordinary or targeted support from any additional learning provision being considered. If an IDP is needed, check that it describes who will provide the support, how often and how progress will be reviewed.

If a professional report recommends a strategy, ask how it will be used in daily teaching rather than simply filed with the plan. Record referral dates and receiving services separately, and ask who will bring education and health advice together at the next person-centred review.

Related FamilyFX help

Library articleSchool Support Scotland Wales Northern IrelandUse the correct Welsh ALN framework and terminology.Library articleSend Rights Scotland Wales Northern IrelandUnderstand individual development plans and the Welsh rights framework.Library articleKeeping A Record For School And Gp MeetingsBuild a concise record for education and health conversations.
Help us strengthen this directory

Do you support SEND families in Flintshire?

If you are part of a charity, parent group, advice service, inclusive activity or another organisation supporting SEND families in Flintshire, we would like to hear from you. Send us your website, the area you cover, who the service is for and how families can get in touch. We check submissions before deciding whether to add them.

Send us your details

Sources and checking dates

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