8. Debate: Stage 4 of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:20 pm on 12 December 2017.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 6:20, 12 December 2017

Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for her opening statement today in this important debate? I share with her the ambition that we should have an additional learning needs system that meets the needs of children and young people across Wales, and that deals with some of the deficiencies in the current special educational needs system, which are all too apparent from much of the casework that we receive as Assembly Members. I think it goes without saying that I think there were still some other improvements that could have been made to the Bill, and that's why I tabled amendments at Stage 3, particularly around the national health service and its redress system not fitting completely and discretely within the new ALN system that will emerge as a result of this Bill. 

But that said, I think that this Bill is something that we as Welsh Conservatives want to commend. It is something that we want to see implemented as soon as possible so that we can have that system, which some people are already benefiting from because of the pilots that were initiated by the previous portfolio holder. And I want to pay tribute to the previous portfolio holder for the way that he engaged with the committee during Stages 1 and 2, and also for the way that he gave us access to some of his officials as well from time to time, and the discussions that they had with me and my office in helping to develop our thinking as well in terms of the way that the Bill was taken forward. 

I was very pleased indeed to see the Welsh Government accept recommendations and amendments around ensuring that the UN conventions on the rights of the child and disabled persons were embedded into the face of this legislation, and I'm looking forward to seeing this new system up and running as soon as possible. You made references to the scrutiny process and how that has helped to improve this Bill. Can I say that I was really pleased with the response of the Welsh Government to the concerns that I raised in the committee at Stage 2 in relation to young people who are detained for mental health reasons, and making sure that we still will have adequate provision for those young people should they have additional learning needs? And I was very grateful for the engagement and the assurances that you've given us through the amendments that have now been made that their needs will not be overlooked. 

And just finally, I am a little bit disappointed, obviously, that at such a late stage the reference to the UK Government's order has only just been picked up. I do think that it brings into question, really, just how departments here are checking what's going on at Westminster and the implications that that might have here for us in the National Assembly, and indeed for the things that the Welsh Government are doing. I can hear people rumbling in the Chamber at those comments, but I think from our discussion on Friday, Cabinet Secretary, you appreciate that this is a point that needs to be made and, indeed, you share some of those concerns. So, I think it is important that where things are taking place at Westminster that may have implications for our legislation, that we pick those up as soon as possible. This one can be rescued—that's why we're supporting Stage 4 today, and we very much hope that this Bill will make a difference to the lives of people across the whole of Wales.