ALN Made Simple

ALN Code Deep Dives

Chapter-by-chapter guidance, checklists, reflections and case studies.

Turn the Code into action.

This hub breaks each chapter of the Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales (2021) into a practical, ALNCo-ready toolkit you can actually use in school. Each Deep Dive helps you translate statutory guidance into clear next steps — with non-negotiable actions, strong-practice checklists, reflective prompts, leadership considerations, and case studies to pressure-test your approach.

Plain-English chapter overviewA clear explanation of what the chapter is really saying — without the fluff.
Must implement checklistThe non-negotiable actions schools need in place, linked back to the chapter.
Key steps to considerStrong-practice steps that help you move from "compliant" to "confident".
Reflection questions for ALNCosThought-provoking prompts to help you spot gaps and tighten consistency.
Leading across the schoolPractical guidance on systems, roles, routines and whole-school alignment.
Case studies (accordion-ready)Realistic scenarios with decision prompts and "what good looks like".
Professional Standards lens (Wales)Chapter-linked prompts across Pedagogy, Leadership, Professional Learning, Collaboration and Innovation.
1
Skim the overviewGet the "big idea" and the chapter's purpose in under 90 seconds.
2
Work the Must implement listSpot what's missing and identify your immediate compliance risks.
3
Choose 3 reflection questionsUse them to sense-check your school's practice and consistency.
4
Use a case study with your teamPressure-test decisions and agree what "good" looks like in your setting.
5
Capture actions and reviewLog next steps, assign ownership, and revisit at your next cycle/check-in.
INCLUDED

Inside every Deep Dive

Plain-English chapter overviewA clear explanation of what the chapter is really saying — without the fluff.
Must implement checklistThe non-negotiable actions schools need in place, linked back to the chapter.
Key steps to considerStrong-practice steps that help you move from "compliant" to "confident".
Reflection questions for ALNCosThought-provoking prompts to help you spot gaps and tighten consistency.
Leading across the schoolPractical guidance on systems, roles, routines and whole-school alignment.
Case studies (accordion-ready)Realistic scenarios with decision prompts and "what good looks like".
Professional Standards lens (Wales)Chapter-linked prompts across Pedagogy, Leadership, Professional Learning, Collaboration and Innovation.
WORKFLOW

A simple 5-step routine

1
Skim the overviewGet the "big idea" and the chapter's purpose in under 90 seconds.
2
Work the Must implement listSpot what's missing and identify your immediate compliance risks.
3
Choose 3 reflection questionsUse them to sense-check your school's practice and consistency.
4
Use a case study with your teamPressure-test decisions and agree what "good" looks like in your setting.
5
Capture actions and reviewLog next steps, assign ownership, and revisit at your next cycle/check-in.
Mapped to the Professional Standards (Wales)
PedagogyLeadershipProfessional LearningCollaborationInnovation
PedagogyLeadershipInnovationProfessional LearningCollaboration

Browse by chapter.

Pick a chapter to open the full Deep Dive page — with checklists, reflection prompts, leadership guidance and case studies.

33 chapters • Annex templates • Built for ALNCos

Foundations of the ALN system7 items
Chapter 1Free

Introduction

What the Code is, how to use it, and how the system fits together.

View Deep Dive →
Chapter 2Pro (AI)

The definition of ALN and ALP

Clarifying definitions so decisions and support are consistent.

View Deep Dive →
Chapter 3Pro (AI)

Principles of the Code

The principles that should drive decisions and practice.

Coming soon
Chapter 4Pro (AI)

Involving and supporting children, their parents and young people

Participation, voice, and meaningful involvement.

Coming soon
Chapter 5Pro (AI)

Duties on local authorities and NHS bodies to have regard to UNCRC and UNCRPD

Rights-based duties and what "due regard" looks like in practice.

Coming soon
Chapter 6Pro (AI)

Advice and information about ALN and the ALN system

What good advice/info arrangements should cover.

Coming soon
Chapter 7Pro (AI)

Reviewing arrangements for children and young people with ALN

Checking your system works and fixing what doesn't.

Coming soon
Key statutory roles3 items
Chapter 8Pro (AI)

Role of the Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCo)

The ALNCo role, expectations, and requirements.

Coming soon
Chapter 9Pro (AI)

Role of the Designated Education Clinical Lead Officer (DECLO)

The health link role and how it supports education.

Coming soon
Chapter 10Pro (AI)

Role of the Early Years Additional Learning Needs Lead Officer

Early years leadership and coordination.

Coming soon
Duties by setting and learner group9 items
Chapter 11Pro (AI)

Duties on local authorities for children under compulsory school age not at a maintained school in Wales

Early identification and duties beyond school rolls.

Coming soon
Chapter 12Pro (AI)

Duties on maintained schools and local authorities for children at maintained schools in Wales

Core school/LA duties for pupils on roll.

Coming soon
Chapter 13Pro (AI)

Duties on local authorities for children of compulsory school age not at a maintained school

Duties where the child isn't on a maintained school roll.

Coming soon
Chapter 14Pro (AI)

Duties in relation to Looked After Children

Specific requirements for learners who are looked after.

Coming soon
Chapter 15Pro (AI)

Duties on maintained schools and local authorities for young people at maintained schools

Young people's entitlements and duties in school settings.

Coming soon
Chapter 16Pro (AI)

Duties on FEIs and local authorities for young people at an FEI

Duties in further education contexts.

Coming soon
Chapter 17Pro (AI)

Duties on local authorities for young people not at a maintained school or FEI

Duties where the young person isn't in school/FEI.

Coming soon
Chapter 18Pro (AI)

Children and young people in specific circumstances

Cross-border and other specific contexts (including EOTAS).

Coming soon
Chapter 19Pro (AI)

Children and young people subject to detention orders

Duties where detention orders apply.

Coming soon
Identification, collaboration and meetings3 items
Chapter 20Pro (AI)

Identifying ALN and deciding upon the ALP required

Evidence, decisions, and what the graduated response looks like.

Coming soon
Chapter 21Pro (AI)

Multi-Agency Working

Requests for help/info and joint working expectations.

Coming soon
Chapter 22Pro (AI)

Meetings about ALN and IDPs

Good practice principles and meeting purposes.

Coming soon
IDPs: content, review, transition and change7 items
Chapter 23Pro (AI)

Preparing and maintaining an IDP, and its content

IDP structure and what needs capturing.

Coming soon
Chapter 24Pro (AI)

Preparing and maintaining an IDP for a looked after child, and its content

Looked-after-specific IDP requirements.

Coming soon
Chapter 25Pro (AI)

Review and revision of IDPs

Review cycles, conclusions, and next steps.

Coming soon
Chapter 26Pro (AI)

Local authority reconsiderations and taking over responsibility for IDPs

When and how LAs reconsider/take over.

Coming soon
Chapter 27Pro (AI)

Planning for and supporting transition

Transition planning that actually works.

Coming soon
Chapter 28Pro (AI)

Transfer of responsibility for maintaining an IDP

How responsibility transfers and what follows.

Coming soon
Chapter 29Pro (AI)

Ceasing to maintain an IDP

When plans end and what must happen around that.

Coming soon
Capacity, disagreement resolution and appeals4 items
Chapter 30Pro (AI)

Case friends for children who lack capacity

Support where children can't exercise rights independently.

Coming soon
Chapter 31Pro (AI)

Representatives for young people, and parents of children, lacking mental capacity

Representation and capacity considerations.

Coming soon
Chapter 32Pro (AI)

Avoiding and resolving disagreements and independent advocacy services

Early resolution routes and advocacy.

Coming soon
Chapter 33Pro (AI)

Appeals and applications to the Education Tribunal for Wales

Tribunal routes, what can be appealed, and process essentials.

Coming soon
Handy reference forms (Annexes)3 items
Annex APro (AI)

IDP standard form

The standard template for Individual Development Plans.

Coming soon
Annex BPro (AI)

IDP standard form for a looked after child

Template adapted for looked after children requirements.

Coming soon
Annex CPro (AI)

Non-mandatory form for ALP to be secured by an NHS body

Optional form for NHS-secured additional learning provision.

Coming soon