Welsh Government have just produced statistics on Special Educational Needs/Additional Learning Needs (SEN/ALN) provision across all Counties in Wales. The position for Powys shows that in 2024-25 the budgeted expenditure on ALN provision was £18.7million and is set to increase to £24million in 2025-26. According to the figures, around a third of this expenditure is non-delegated so that goes to the central Education Service not directly to schools.
Since 2021, the Liberal Democrats and Labour have formed the administration at Powys County Council and have been in charge of Schools. In just a few short years, there has been significant deterioration in education standards across County [Note: as evidenced in recent Estyn reports], increases in the number of children highlighted as needing ALN provision, increases in the number of pupils who cannot attend mainstream Schools.
An Estyn follow up report in 2022 was positive in respect of ALN provision in Powys. It said “The ALN Team has brought about swift improvements in its work at the same time as supporting Schools with the ALN transformation agenda”. This reflected the work and progress made by the previous Independent/Conservative led administration at Powys County Council.
However, the most recent Estyn report into the Lib Dem/Labour run County Council in 2025 was damning. The report said “Frequent leadership changes in Powys have weakened the strategic direction of ALN services, delaying progress against key priorities and reducing overall effectiveness…inconsistent strategic evaluation and weak long-term planning hinder the ability to provide effective high quality ALN services across the County”. The Lib Dems/Labour run Council produced their own Strategic Plan in 2024 but Estyn stated that this strategy has “insufficient detail on how priorities will be funded, and goals and outcomes are not specific enough…Although the Strategic Plan was co-written with partners, Schools were not part of this process”.
Many Schools in Powys have ALN numbers way above the national average in Wales of 11.1%. The Estyn Report 2025 figures looking at Powys as a whole, showed an average 19.6% of pupils aged 5 to 15 with SEN/ALN requirements. Looking at specific Schools that were inspected in the past twelve months across the County, 7 out of 12 have well in excess of the average. At least three primary schools have figures in excess of 45% of pupils with SEN/ALN.
James Evans MS said:
“Many parents contact me to say they cannot get the ALN provision their child needs. Schools and teachers are not able to access adequate funding or support, and Personal Education Plans are often not forthcoming or out of date. In the meantime, these children are being forgotten by Powys County Council and losing valuable education time. Let me be clear – this is failure from the top at Powys. Teachers, staff, parents are doing all they can in difficult circumstances, but they are not getting the support from the Leaders at Powys County Council”
“I am hearing of School exclusions from Reception classes at Primary School because the Schools are not being supported with resources and additional staff to help these children. What future will these excluded children have? Staff in Schools are doing all they can in very difficult circumstances. I am aware of many instances where health professionals, Educational Psychologists and teachers have clearly identified children that need additional support but this is rejected by the ALN team in County who say these children do not meet the criteria”.
“Estyn has called out their Strategic Plan as lacking. With some primary schools in Powys exceeding 45% of pupil numbers with SEN/ALN – this is reaching a crisis point and urgent action is needed now! The Chief Executive, Emma Palmer, is leading an Accelerated Improvement Board to drive change and improvement but this is not happening at a quick enough pace. There is a clear need for alternative provision from an early age for children who cannot thrive in mainstream settings”.
