Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. Members will be aware that, in response to numerous reports into the shortfalls of the current system, this Government introduced new legislation in 2016 that paved the way for a much-improved system for supporting children and young people with additional learning needs. This ambitious legislation was co-constructed with key stakeholders and tested through the Bill scrutiny process by Members of the Senedd. The Additional Learning Needs and Educational Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018, otherwise known as the ALN Act, became an Act of law in January 2018 and is the centrepiece of the wider ALN transformation programme.

Since 2018, I've been working with stakeholders to help shape the ALN code and draft regulations setting out how the new system will work in practice. In September, I announced that the timeline for starting roll-out of the new ALN system remains unchanged, and that the statutory roles of the additional learning needs co-ordinator—the ALNCO; the designated educational clinical lead officer—the DECLO; and the early years additional learning needs lead officers—the EYALNCOs—will still commence in January 2021. This will enable the rest of the new system to proceed on a phased basis from September 2021.

Earlier this month, I approved the Order that will allow for the commencement of these statutory roles from 4 January 2021, and to support this I'm pleased to present an important set of regulations that mark a key milestone in the ALN reforms in Wales, the draft ALNCO regulations. These regulations will help raise standards and the co-ordination of education provision, and promote a whole-school approach to those with ALN by prescribing the qualifications and experience an ALNCO must have. They set out clear tasks that an ALNCO must undertake, which will ensure that our statutory bodies take a consistent approach in designating the role, as well as enabling the delivery of improved educational provision for children and young people with ALN.

To support ALNCOs, I'm providing funding for additional training as part of an ALN national professional training programme. Work is under way to develop a specific professional learning offer for ALNCOs to enable them to provide a strategic leadership role, acting as the first port of call for professional advice and guidance for others.

The draft ALNCO regulations were laid in the Senedd on 3 November and with the support of Members today will come into force at the same time as the ALNCO role commences on 4 January 2021. Passing these regulations will represent a significant step forward in the delivery of our new ALN system in Wales and will go some way towards improving the life chances of our learners with additional learning needs. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer.