Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm what coordinated support systems the Welsh Government has put in place for children with learning disabilities in Wales?
The Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system is in place to support children with learning disabilities. The ALN Code encourages collaboration and integration of services to help ensure ALN are identified early and appropriate co-ordinated support is put in place. A health and education multi-agency working group has been established to improve collaboration under the ALN system and agree new, innovative approaches to common themes emerging from implementation.
Implementation of the ALN system is one of a broad range of actions set out in the Welsh Government’s wider strategic action plan for learning disability services. This spans all age groups and prioritises integration, early intervention, family involvement, co-production, and person-centred care. A range of initiatives have been developed with partners in the NHS Executive and across the public sector which are collectively intended to help cultivate a more inclusive and co-ordinated environment for children with learning disabilities in Wales.