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PRACTICAL GUIDANCE

Wales: ALN, individual development plans and education appeals

Understand the Welsh ALN and IDP route, Education Tribunal for Wales, preparation and advice without mixing in English EHCP statistics.

Court Guide · Sources checked 13 September 2026

Use the Welsh system

Wales uses additional learning needs and individual development plans. The English SEND Tribunal and EHC-plan statistics on other pages do not apply to a Welsh IDP. Identify who made the decision and use the Welsh decision letter and current guidance.

Check discussion, reconsideration and appeal routes

Ask the school or local authority to explain the decision and the available disagreement-resolution or reconsideration process. The Education Tribunal for Wales deals with matters within its statutory remit. Check which decisions can be appealed, who can appeal and the applicable time limit.

Prepare the relevant material

Keep the decision, IDP, assessment and professional information, correspondence and the learner’s views. Write a short account of the disagreement and the outcome sought. Ask about Welsh-language communication, access requirements and how evidence should be submitted.

Sources and next steps

General information, not advice on an individual case. Follow current official instructions and seek qualified advice about legal decisions.