Proc-25-181 Additional Learning Needs Partnership Service

UK4 - Tender Notice

Wrexham County Borough Council on behalf of the North Wales Authorities is inviting tenders for the provision of an Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Partnership Service

Local Authorities are required under the, Section 332A / 32B of the Education Act 1996 and the ALN Code for Wales 2021 to make arrangements for advocacy and the avoidance and resolution of disagreements services for children/young people for whom the local authority is responsible, or in the case of children, their parents.

i) Sections 332A and 332B of the Education Act 1996

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/56/contents

ii) ALN Code for Wales 2021

https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2021-03/the-additional-learning-needs-code-for-wales-2021.pdf

The successful supplier will provide an ALN Partnership Service which will act in accordance with the Authorities’ requirements and fulfil the statutory duties as set out by ALNET 2018 and the ALN Code (2021) to children, young people and parents across North Wales who are the responsibility of the counties of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham and require support in relation to additional learning needs.

The primary role of the ALN Partnership Service (ALNPS) is to:

i. Provide independent advice and support for parents of children with additional learning needs, as well as for children and young people themselves, empowering them to play an informed and active role in their child’s education or in their own learning journey.

ii. Ensure that parents of children with additional learning needs, as well as children and young people themselves, have access to clear information, advice, and guidance that enables them to make informed decisions.

iii. Provide a formal Disagreement Resolution Service to parents and children and young people.

iv. Provide a fully bilingual service.

thereby fulfilling all Council’s statutory obligations referred to in the ALN Code.

i. The ALN Partnership Service will focus on resolving the problems, barriers, and issues raised by children, young people and parents, empowering them and helping to prevent disagreements from escalating

ii. The ALN Partnership Service will operate as an independent impartial party in order to facilitate resolutions to the problems or issues raised. Its aim is solution focused and its function is a facilitating and conciliatory one.

iii. The ALN Partnership Service will be separate and independent from the LAs.

iv. The ALN Partnership Service will ensure it has a sound understanding of each LA context and processes.

v. The ALN Partnership Service will promote an understanding and awareness of the LA duty to prioritise placement in mainstream settings.

vi. The ALN Partnership Service will be flexible and responsive to local changes.

vii. The ALN Partnership Service will have mechanisms to promote the service and make itself easily accessible to children, young people, parents and schools.

It is anticipated that the Contract will commence in October 2026.