PARENTS and carers are set to give their views on changes to additional learning needs (ALN) provision in Powys.

Meetings with parents, carers and other stakeholders will start in January as Powys County Council looks to see how the service can be developed for some of our most vulnerable residents.

Councillor Myfanwy Alexander, cabinet member with responsibility for education, said: “We are determined to improve the support we offer to our most vulnerable learners and their families and to this extent are undertaking a wide ranging review of additional learning needs, including the provision in the specialist centres. We welcome the views and experiences of learners and their families as we seek to shape the service for the future."

The council has already started informal discussions with internal and external partners, and as part of this parents will be invited to meetings to have informal discussions about their experiences of specialist centre provision.

Childcare provision will be offered to those who wish to attend these meetings.

Parents and carers are being contacted and invited to attend the focus groups. For those who are not able to attend, an online (and offline) questionnaire will be made available – details of this will be announced shortly.

This engagement work in January will be followed by a formal consultation process later in the year – once the council has been able to carefully consider feedback from these early meetings.

Cllr Rachel Powell, cabinet member for children services, said: “We can easily underestimate the importance of direct engagement with families and young people, where those young people have ALN. These young people and families are very aware of their own needs and possible solutions.

“I genuinely welcome all views and very much look forward to understanding the perceived barriers but also to be able to influence a change of systems and support mechanisms for the future.”