5. How will the proposed Additional Learning Needs (Wales) Bill support pupils with the most complex learning and medical needs in our special education schools? OAQ(5)0016(EDU)[R]

We want to transform the expectations, experiences and outcomes for all learners, including those in special schools. The forthcoming introduction of the additional learning needs and education tribunal (Wales) Bill will be a key milestone in the transformation journey that is already under way.

The Minister will be aware of the excellent work done by the special needs school Trinity Fields, which is in the Caerphilly constituency, led by the headteacher, Ian Elliott, and his fantastic staff. I declare an interest here as a governor of that organisation. Like many of us in the Chamber, and the school’s leadership, we are in support of the principles of the additional learning needs Bill and what it seeks to achieve, but, at present, the school is only responsible for pupils with additional learning needs up to the age of 19. With that in mind, can you let me know how the Welsh Government will use this Bill in order to ensure the full commitment of the national health service and the health boards to provide the resources and services for pupils with complex additional learning needs up to the age of 25?

Thank you. I am, of course, very aware of the work that is done by you as a governor and by others at Trinity Fields. I’m also aware that the school has been recognised by Estyn in the annual report as having sector-leading practice, and I think that that is something to celebrate again. It’s fantastic to see the work that is being done by schools up and down Wales.

The Cabinet Secretary did reply to an earlier question, saying that the additional learning needs Bill will be published in due course and will provide an opportunity, then, for us to debate and discuss how we deliver and how we ensure that we have the right statutory framework to underpin the delivery of this work. I can assure the Member for Caerphilly that we will ensure that the transition from education into adulthood is better planned and supported, and I would be more than happy to continue to have that conversation, both in terms of the legislation that we will be drafting and putting before the National Assembly, but also in terms of how that support is delivered outside of the statutory framework.

Angela Burns.

Thank you, acting Deputy Presiding Officer. Minister, in the previous—[Interruption.]

Acting?

I beg your pardon. [Laughter.]

It’s quite all right.

Please accept my apologies.

No, it’s quite all right. I can act if you want me to, but you wouldn’t like to see me act. Go on.

Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. My apologies.

Minister, could you just confirm for us, in terms of the consultation that was undertaken by the previous Welsh Government on the additional learning needs Bill—? I know the previous education Minister did say he’d go back out consultation again. There was no element asking parents and carers what they thought about the transportation of their wards, their children, to additional learning schools or special schools, because, as you know, there are few of them in Wales and young people have to travel huge distances. For a child who is already severely disadvantaged, either mentally or physically or both, that journey in and of itself can be an enormous stress and strain and add hours to their day. I wonder if you’ll be taking further feedback on that so you might be able to incorporate a provision or some statement or guidance on that very issue in the proposed additional learning needs Bill.

I’m certainly happy to do that. I published last week the Government’s response to a consultation on the draft Bill. Now, if the Member doesn’t believe that we fully covered those areas, then I’d be grateful if she could write to me and I will certainly do so. But, in terms of the overall point raised, of course, by the question, I do agree absolutely that we do need to take a holistic approach to the policy and not simply an approach that determines and dictates what happens in the classroom without recognising the wider support necessary to provide a full educational experience for those children. So, if the Member or any other Members do not believe that we’ve fully covered those points in the response, then I’d be happy to do so.

I will say that the First Minister announced last week that this Bill will form a part of the first year of our legislative programme. We are looking at the moment at a timescale for that, and I will make a statement to the National Assembly as soon as possible, when we are able to understand what the timescale will be and when we’ll be able to publish the legislation. So, Members will have an opportunity then to look again at this matter.