The development of Additional Learning Provision through Specialist Resources Bases in Caerphilly Borough

The current demand for additional learning needs (ALN) provision as identified through panel process, consultation with schools and Local Authority staff, scrutiny of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and scrutiny of data shows that there is a need for an increased number of specialist resource bases (SRBs) attached to mainstream schools across the County Borough, and therefore the number of places for children with additional learning needs (ALN) within specialist provision.

Why are we consulting?

The consultation is asking for views regarding the development of provision linked to specific schools.

For this proposal, our consultation process must follow the Welsh Government Statutory guidance as set out in the School Organisation Code 2018.

Ways to give your views

The formal consultation process begins on Monday 2nd June 2025.

In keeping in line with mirroring the processes for maintained school proposals, a minimum of a 42 day consultation period will be undertaken to give sufficient time for feedback to be gained.

The closing date for responses to this consultation is midnight on Sunday 13th July 2025.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to consider any responses received after this date.

If you would like to comment on the proposal, you can do this by:

• Completing the online response form on the Council’s website
• Complete a printed response form and return via post - c/o Sustainable Communities for Learning Team, Directorate of Education and Corporate Services, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Penallta House, Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach CF82 7PG
• Email your comments to 21stCenturySchools@caerphilly.gov.uk

If you would like this information in any other format, for example large print, or help with interpretation in a different language, please contact us on 01443 864817 21stCenturySchools@caerphilly.gov.uk so that the necessary arrangements can be made to provide this service.

Next Steps

Following consultation, Cabinet will receive a Consultation Report which will outline the proposal and all the comments received from the public during the consultation period. At this stage, the members can decide whether to proceed with the proposal, make changes to the proposal or not to proceed with the proposal.

Should Cabinet decide to proceed with the proposal, a Statutory Notice will be published providing a 28 day notice period for objections. The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 provides that anyone wishing to make objections to a school organisation proposal has the opportunity to do so. To be considered as statutory objections, objections must be made in writing and sent to the Council within the 28-day period.

Cabinet will then consider the outcome of the Statutory Notice at a future meeting and determine whether to implement the proposal having given due consideration to all the information provided.