Common queries about the annual review of the statement (Wales)

Changes to the education system in Wales

A new system of support for children with additional learning needs (ALN), called the ALN framework, was introduced on 1 September 2021 to replace the existing special educational needs (SEN system).

Statements of SEN and annual reviews are part of the old system of support for children with ALN and are being phased out from now until Summer 2024.

If your child starts to receive support in education for the first time after 1 September 2021, their support will come under the ALN framework. They will receive support through an Independent Development Plan (IDP) and not a statement of SEN.

If your child is currently receiving support through a Statement of SEN because they received it before 1 September, this will continue in place, with annual reviews, until it is transferred to an IDP.

The information on this page might be useful until that point.

The school have said they will exclude my daughter if her behaviour doesn’t improve. She has a statement but I think she may need more help in lessons.

You can discuss your concerns at the next annual review meeting. Ask the school when this is due – it should be around the same time of year as the last one. If the situation is urgent you should ask the local authority to arrange an early or emergency review.

My son’s school told me that the annual review meeting is next week. I need more time to prepare for this. I would also like the educational psychologist to be there, but she isn’t free next week.

The annual review timescales and procedures must be followed by law. These are set out in the SEN Code of Practice. The headteacher must invite parents and professionals, and ask for reports. These must be shared at least two weeks in advance. Ask the school to rearrange the meeting for a later date and to invite the educational psychologist to attend.

I attended my son’s annual review meeting yesterday. I don’t think I mentioned all my concerns about his progress. Is it too late to do this now?

Put your views in writing as soon as you can. You can ask the school to include your views in their report to the local authority (LA). If the report has already gone to the LA, send your views to them directly and ask the LA to consider them together with the school’s report.

We asked for changes to be made to our daughter’s statement at the annual review meeting. We now have the final statement but none of the changes have been made. Is there anything we can do?

You can appeal to the SEN tribunal if the local authority does not amend the statement after the annual review. You can appeal about the description of your child’s special educational needs in part 2, the extra help in part 3 and the school named in part 4.