23/11/2023

Members of the public are invited to share their views on comprehensive proposals to enhance and increase Additional Learning Needs provision in Cardiff which could see more than 200 new places provided city-wide.

In July, Cardiff Council's Cabinet agreed to proceed with two public consultations on a range of plans to address the increased demand for specialist placements for primary, secondary and special schools, acknowledging the growing population of learners with complex learning needs, autism spectrum conditions and emotional health and wellbeing needs.

Complex Learning needs and autism provision:To meet theincreasing demand for Specialist Resource Base (SRB) places for primary learners with Complex Learning Needs and/or Autism the Council is proposing toestablish a Specialist Resource Base (SRB) at the following schools from September 2024, in existing school buildings:

• 20 place SRB at Coed Glas Primary School
• 20 place SRB at Greenway Primary School
• 20 place SRB at Severn Primary School

For more information and to have your say please visit:Complex learning needs and autism provision (cardiff.gov.uk)

Emotional Health and Wellbeing provision:To meet the increasing demand for primary and secondary aged learners with emotional health and wellbeing needs the Council is proposing

to establish a Specialist Resource Base (SRB) at the following schools from September 2024, in existing school buildings:

• 8 place SRB at Baden Powell Primary School from September 2024
• 8 place SRB at Fairwater Primary School. This would replace the existing wellbeing class. 
• a 16 place SRB at Herbert Thompson Primary School
• a 16 place SRB at Lakeside Primary School. This would replace the existing wellbeing class. 
• 8 place SRB at Springwood Primary School. This would replace the existing wellbeing class. 
• 8 place SRB at Ysgol Gymraeg Pwll Coch. This would replace the existing wellbeing class.
• a 20 place SRB at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr

For more information and to have your say please visit:Emotional health and wellbeing provision (cardiff.gov.uk)

A series of in person and online drop-in sessions and public meetings are scheduled. Please visitAdditional Learning Needs (ALN) provision (cardiff.gov.uk)for more information.

The consultations close on 19^thJanuary 2024.

Cardiff Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "We fully understand that as the complexity oflearners' needs grow there is a necessary requirement for increased specialist provision across the city and significant progress is being made to grow the support, skills and inclusive facilities available in schools.For example,Cardiff's Pupil Referral Unit is being expanded, increasing its capacity to 180 places to support learners with a range of emotional health and wellbeing needs.

"The latest plans we are consulting on, will provide a phased increase in places which aim to foster an inclusive approach to address the unique requirements of learners with additional learning needs, with a focus on enhancing capacity and delivering an innovative curriculum through suitable provision.

"Importance is placed on early identification, research-based intervention, accessible school buildings and strong multi-agency partnerships, which together can ensure that no learner is left behind and is provided with equal opportunities to thrive."

The Pupil Referral Unit is being expanded as a single establishment for learners aged 11-18 across two sites including the current Cefn Road site in Mynachdy and for a temporarily basis, on part of the site formerly occupied by Fitzalan High School.

From September 2027 the provision will move to new-build accommodation on part of the site currently occupied by Willows High School, and in new provision at Oak House, St Mellons.