ALN disagreements and the Education Tribunal for Wales: a parent guide

Try to identify the decision you disagree with

Write down whether the dispute is about whether the learner has ALN, the description of need, the ALP in the IDP, who maintains the IDP, a named setting, ending an IDP, or another decision. The route depends on the decision-maker and subject.

Dispute resolution

Every local authority must provide arrangements to help avoid and resolve ALN disagreements. Using dispute resolution does not remove a right to appeal where an appeal right exists.

School decisions and reconsideration

A parent cannot generally appeal a maintained school’s ALN decision directly to ETW. If the school decision or school-maintained IDP remains disputed, ask the responsible local authority to reconsider it first.

Appeals to ETW

Children, parents and young people can appeal specified decisions made by a local authority or further-education institution. Appeal rights can include decisions about ALN, the description of ALN, ALP, whether provision should be in Welsh, a named school or college, or certain decisions about maintaining or ending an IDP.

Get the written decision

Before acting, obtain the written decision and check the appeal information it contains. Tribunal time limits and procedure matter, so use the current ETW guidance for the particular decision.