Welsh Assembly reveals pilot sites for Statementing Review

The Welsh Assembly has revealed which local authorities are set to take part in a pilot scheme to develop a new statementing system for children with Additional Learning Needs.

For the last few years, the current statementing system has been under review. Now officials are set to trial and develop some ideas for an alternative system in a number of different local authorities.

The arrangements have yet to be finalised, but the proposals are as follows:

• Flintshire and Caerphilly will be looking into developing a Quality Assurance system to monitor and evaluate education services for children with Additional Learning Needs.    
• Carmarthenshire and Torfaen will be working on developing an alternative to the current statement system for children with the most complex needs. They also plan to develop a system for parents/carers of children with complex needs to express concerns about their child’s education.  
• Pembrokeshire and Bridgend will work on an alternative system for children who have non-complex needs. The idea has been described as “a flexibly administrated school-based statement.”  
• Cardiff and Newport will explore the role of the SENco/ALNco.  

The trials are set to begin in September and will last two years.

After the trials, the Welsh Assembly will have another review before making any changes to the existing system. 

Welsh Assembly officials have assured us that the trials will run alongside the current statementing system. Therefore, children living in the local authorities which are participating in the trial should still have the same entitlements to statements as those living in other areas. 

NDCS Cymru will be calling on the Welsh Assembly to ensure that whatever change is made to the current system, the needs of all deaf children are appropriately assessed and met. 

NDCS Cymru is due to meet with officials to outline our concerns about the pilot scheme and the ways that we feel the current system could be improved for deaf children and young people in Wales.

Take Action! 

NDCS Cymru wants to hear your views/experiences of the current statementing system. 

For example:    

• Have you found it difficult to get a statement for your child?    
• Are you happy with the statement that your child has been given?    
• Has your child’s statement been effective? Why/why not?  

Your stories will help inform NDCS Cymru’s response.  Get in touch by emailing us or leaving a comment at the bottom of this page.