Parent Partnership Service

Post 16 Transition

Post 16 Transition for young people who have Additional Learning Needs

As part of the Welsh Government’s Additional Learning Needs (ALN) transformation some arrangements for young people entering post-16 education and training will change. The Welsh Government has published guides to support understanding of how and when children and young people will move to the ALN system on its Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system: guide for parents and families (opens in a new tab) page.

Young people entering post-16 education and training will gradually move to the new ALN system. Therefore, both ALN and SEN will be running side by side for the next few years. The table below shows when young people are expected to move to the ALN system.

When young people will move to the ALN system

The table below shows which system a child or young person will be on and what type of plan they will have.

• IDP (Individual Development Plan)
• LSP (Learning Support Plan)

School year	Secondary school year 10	Secondary school year 11	Secondary school year 12 or year 1 in college	Secondary school year 13 or years 1 or 2 in college	Secondary school year 14 or years 1, 2 or 3 in college
2021/2022	School action/school action plus or IDP	School action/school action plus and statement	School action/ school action plus, statement or learning support plan (LSP)	School action/school action plus, statement or LSP	School action/school action plus, statement or LSP
2022/2023	School action/school action plus, statement or IDP	School action/school action plus, statement or IDP	School action/ school action plus, statement or LSP	School action/school action plus, statement or LSP	School action/school action plus, statement or LSP
2023/2024	School action/school action plus and statement or IDP	IDP	IDP	School action/school action plus, statement or LSP	School action/school action plus, statement or LSP
2024/2025	IDP	IDP	IDP	IDP	School action/school action plus, statement or LSP
2025/2026	All young people on the ALN system on 1 September 2025	All young people on the ALN system on 1 September 2025	All young people on the ALN system on 1 September 2025	All young people on the ALN system on 1 September 2025	All young people on the ALN system on 1 September 2025

Transition from compulsory schooling to post-16 education and training is a very important life stage for every young person.

What happens after leaving school?

Most young people in Wales who have ALN attend a local further education (FE) college or training programme.

Young person

A young person is someone who is over compulsory school age (16 years) and up to age 25.

Transition planning for young people with ALN

From year 9 onwards, the school, Careers Wales and the local authority will listen to the views of learners with ALN and their families, and take these into consideration when advising on the wide range of further education and work-based courses available across Pembrokeshire.

You and your son/daughter will discuss their Post-16 desired outcomes and ambitions in the Person Centred (PCP) Review meetings for their Individual Development Plan (IDP). There will be particular focus on next steps after the end of compulsory education, with an emphasis on helping to prepare for adulthood. There will be opportunities to find out more about choices during annual IDP review meetings. Careers Wales will be able to support learners with their options, and the Post 16 providers such as college or training providers can be invited to attend. Parents will be supported to put forward their views and thoughts and to ask questions. The school and the local authority (LA) will listen and take these into consideration when advising on the available pathways for the learner.

The school Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo) will provide information about how decisions about additional learning needs are made. They will explain all about the Individual Development Plan (IDP), who will maintain it, and the young person’s rights including their right to consent or object to ALN decisions and their IDP.

The ALNCo and supporting professionals will give information and help to ensure that the young person is able to understand the possible consequence of decisions so that they can make an informed decision about their ALN and IDP. The young person will be asked:

• What you think about your IDP?
• Do you agree with the plan?
• Do you consent to the plan going ahead?
• Who are you happy to share your information with?

Everybody involved must do everything they can to help the young person to make their own decision. Planning should depend on the young person’s aspirations and abilities and what is needed to support them to achieve their ambition. This can include what provision is required to assist them in preparation for the further education sector, work-based training, employment, higher education and independent living.

Where a learner has health or social care needs, Pembrokeshire Local Authority education officers will work in partnership with the Hywel Dda Health Board and social care departments to secure appropriate care and support to enable them to access their education or training.

Where the young person is not able to (does not have capacity to) make decisions about their individual development plan, parents can act as their representative. This means parents can exercise the young person’s rights under the ALN Code. Where this is the case it is important to involve the young person as much as possible in decisions being made, taking into account their thoughts, wishes and feelings before making a decision on their behalf. If the young person or their representative needs support to express their views and wishes, and exercise their rights they can ask an advocate to help.

What are the options after leaving school for young people with ALN?

A successful transition planning process will help give a clear understanding of what opportunities are available for young people leaving school post 16.

Young people can leave school legally at the end of June in the school year when they reach the age of 16. From here, they can usually make their own decisions about what they want to do. Some will, however, need support with making plans.

The main post-16 options are:

Staying at school

Schools can provide many opportunities and be a positive choice. Some young people are able to stay at school until they are 19. 

Attending a local college of further education 

Attending a local college of further education while living at home is often the next step. FE colleges in Wales provide a wide range of courses to meet the needs of learners. Young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities entering college will usually have their needs met through provision that is available to all learners. This is called universal provision. From September 2023, learners with ALN who will need additional learning provision (ALP) will transfer from school to college with their IDP and the college will work with each young person to make sure the support is appropriate for them within their chosen course. Colleges provide a wide range of courses and support to meet the needs of most learners, including those with ALN.

Specialist independent colleges

Nearly all young people with additional learning needs and/or disabilities can go to their local college. In a very small number of cases, a learner may not be able to achieve their desired education and training outcomes locally. This might be because their needs are so complex that appropriate local setting cannot be found. The school will refer to the local authority’s Post 16 coordinator and IDP Panel. 

Supported work and training

A young person can enter the world of work through supported employment or a training programme. There are a number of organisations that can help them find opportunities in real work situations. Many of these programmes can lead to nationally recognised vocational qualifications.

Employment

Only a small proportion of young people go straight into employment from school. If this is the most appropriate option, the Careers Wales adviser can help with job–seeking skills.

Day service opportunities 

Day service opportunities may be the most appropriate option for some young people. These are usually arranged in places where young people with a learning disability can pursue all sorts of interesting day time activities (often out of the day centre and in the local community). Here, they can make new friends, gain their own independence and become a valued member of the community. Day services are usually provided by Local Authority social services or voluntary organisations.

Higher education 

Higher education will be an option for some young people whose academic ability enables them to access courses on offer. This could be at university, college or distance learning.

Next steps - further information

ALN Pathfinder Wales (opens in a new tab) is designed to help young people and their families to make informed choices and plan their next steps.

Pembrokeshire College (opens in a new tab) has a large, dedicated and extensive learning support team, who work together to ensure that the appropriate levels of support and guidance are in place to suit the needs of individual learners. The team will signpost, where necessary, to the other College support services: safeguarding, counselling, medical, finance, transport etc.

Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion (opens in a new tab) has a dedicated support team to support learners with additional learning needs, disabilities and medical needs. 

Access Pembrokeshire (opens in a new tab) provides information about services and activities for people with a disability or learning difficulties.

Pembrokeshire County Council Day Opportunities provides a range of services in a variety of settings where people can participate in meaningful activities, build new relationships and, where required, receive care and support.

Careers Wales (opens in a new tab)

Pembrokeshire County Council Youth Service offers advice and guidance, and supports young people to reach their full potential.

Pembrokeshire County Council Parent Partnership Service provides impartial advice and information about Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and the ALN system.

I think my son/daughter will need a specialist college. What should I do?

If it is generally agreed through PCP review meetings that the local colleges may not be able to meet a young person’s desired education training outcomes, then the school will coordinate with the Post-16 Provision Co-ordinator to consider the options for specialist colleges. Young people and their families can contact Pembrokeshire County Council Parent Partnership Service for more information.