Will the Cabinet Secretary outline the current waiting times for assessments for special educational needs across Wales, and explain the steps being taken to reduce these waiting times?
The Welsh Government does not collect information on current waiting times for assessments for special educational needs (SEN) across Wales.
The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal Act and ALN Code for Wales is replacing the existing SEN system. Under the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system ALN is identified by either a school, pupil referral unit, further education institution or a local authority, and timescales are set out in the ALN Code.
We understand that operational processes between education and health can be a barrier to meeting statutory timescales. Key performance indicators are being developed in health which will report on statutory performance data.