The Welsh Additional Learning Needs system has now fully replaced the previous SEN framework, but many families are still trying to understand how the new process works in practice.

In this episode of SEN Talks, education solicitors Sal, Adam and Ffion Davies explore the Welsh ALN system in detail, including the transition from statements to Individual Development Plans (IDPs), the role of schools and local authorities, and the rights available to parents when support is refused or inadequate.

Ffion explains the key differences between the Welsh and English systems, including:

• what counts as additional learning needs
• the process for securing an IDP
• the difference between school maintained and local authority maintained IDPs
• appeal rights in Wales
• timeframes for assessments and appeals
• how schools and local authorities make decisions
• common issues families experience in practice
• concerns around confusion and inconsistent application of the law

The episode also explores wider concerns about the future of SEND reform in England and what lessons policymakers may take from the Welsh system.

Ffion also shares her own personal experience growing up with dyslexia and how that shaped her passion for supporting families through education law.

If you would like advice about your child’s educational support in England or Wales, our team offers free initial consultations.

Credits: Post-production editing by Goldson Photography - https://www.goldsonphotography.co.uk/.... Edited by ⁠⁠Dreamlancers⁠⁠.Music is 'Sunshine' by lemonmusicstudio.

Want more from Geldards SEN? Be sure to follow our social media channels! All links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/geldardssen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.geldards.com/children-and....Follow us on social media: @GeldardsSEN on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube.

In this episode of SEN Talks, we take a deep dive into the Government’s proposed SEND White Paper reforms; what they say, what they mean, and what they could mean for families in practice.

Drawing on our experience working with parents, schools, and charities across the country, we break down:

• The background and motivation behind the reforms
• The proposed four-tier system of support
• Changes to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
• The introduction of “specialist provision packages"
• Potential impacts on parental rights and access to tribunals
• The shift towards school-led complaints and legal challenges

We also explore the wider concerns being raised by parents, charities, and professionals, particularly around whether these changes could reduce individualised support and increase barriers to justice.

Importantly, these proposals are not yet law. This episode helps you understand what’s being suggested now, what could change, and what to watch out for next.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or professional in the SEND space, this is a must-listen breakdown of one of the most significant proposed changes to the SEN system in years.

Credits: Post-production editing by Goldson Photography - https://www.goldsonphotography.co.uk/.... Edited by ⁠⁠Dreamlancers⁠⁠.Music is 'Sunshine' by lemonmusicstudio.

Want more from Geldards SEN? Be sure to follow our social media channels! All links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/geldardssen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.geldards.com/children-and....Follow us on social media: @GeldardsSEN on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube.

In this episode of SEN Talks, we’re joined by barrister Matthew Wyard of 39 Essex Chambers to explore one of the most challenging stages for families of young people with SEND: the transition from children’s to adult social care.We discuss:Why preparation should begin as early as Year 9 (or earlier);The realities of Section 20 agreements and parental responsibility;Common misconceptions around care proceedings;The key differences between social care support and NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding;How and when CHC assessments take place and why timing matters;The range of social care assessments families may encounter.With practical insights and clear legal guidance, this episode aims to empower parents and carers with the knowledge they need to navigate the system confidently and avoid the “cliff edge” at 18.Credits:Post-production editing by Goldson Photography - https://www.goldsonphotography.co.uk/.... Edited by ⁠⁠Dreamlancers⁠⁠.Music is 'Sunshine' by lemonmusicstudio.Want more from Geldards SEN? Be sure to follow our social media channels!All links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/geldardssen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.geldards.com/children-and....Follow us on social media: @GeldardsSEN on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube.