What is an IDP?

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What is an IDP (Individual Development Plan)?

An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a personalised plan used in Wales for children and young people with Additional Learning Needs (ALN). It replaces Statements of SEN, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and Learning and Skills Plans under the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018.

How is an IDP Different from an EHCP?

Feature	IDP (Wales)	EHCP (England)
Who qualifies?	Any child/young person with ALN	Only those with significant SEN requiring extra support
Who creates it?	Schools, colleges, or local authorities	Local authority after assessment
Legal status?	Legally binding	Legally binding
Age range?	0-25 years	0-25 years
Diagnosis needed?	No – based on needs, not diagnosis	No – based on needs, not diagnosis

How to Get an IDP for Your Child

1️⃣ Talk to the School or College

• If you think your child has ALN, speak to the teacher or ALNCo (Additional Learning Needs Coordinator).

• The school may create a School IDP if they can meet your child’s needs.

2️⃣ Request an IDP from the Local Authority

• If the school cannot provide the right support, you can request a Local Authority (LA) IDP.

• The LA must assess your child and decide whether they need an IDP.

3️⃣ Assessment and Decision

• Evidence is gathered from teachers, educational psychologists, speech & language therapists, etc.

• If the LA agrees, they will create a legally binding IDP.

4️⃣ Review and Appeals

• IDPs are reviewed annually.

• If you disagree with the school or LA’s decision, you can appeal to the Education Tribunal for Wales.

How to Request an IDP (Individual Development Plan) in Wales

If you believe your child has Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and requires an Individual Development Plan (IDP), follow these steps:

1. Speak to the School or College

• Step 1: Contact your child’s teacher or Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo).

• Step 2: Explain your child’s difficulties and request an assessment for ALN.

• Step 3: The school will gather evidence (e.g., progress reports, teacher observations, specialist input).

💡 Outcome:

• If the school can provide the necessary support, they may create a School IDP.

• If the school cannot meet your child’s needs, they will refer the case to the Local Authority (LA).

2. Request an IDP from the Local Authority (LA)

If the school refuses to assess or does not provide enough support, you can apply directly to the Local Authority’s ALN department.

📌 How to Apply:

• Write a formal request to the LA (you can send it via email or post).

• Include:

  ✅ Your child’s name, age, and school

  ✅ A description of their difficulties (learning, communication, behaviour, etc.)

  ✅ Any supporting reports from school, doctors, therapists such as: Board certified Behaviour Analysts, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Educational psychologists

  ✅ Your request for a statutory IDP assessment under the ALN Act 2018

3. The Local Authority’s Decision (Within 35 Days)

• The LA must decide within 35 school days whether your child has ALN and needs an IDP.

• They will gather input from:

  ✔ The school

  ✔ Educational psychologists

  ✔ Therapists (e.g., Board Certified Behaviour Analysts, speech and language, occupational therapy)

  ✔ Medical professionals

4. IDP Creation and Review

• If the LA agrees, they will create a legally binding IDP outlining:

  ✅ Your child’s ALN and specific needs

  ✅ What support and interventions will be provided

  ✅ Who is responsible for delivering the support

• IDPs are reviewed annually, but you can request a review earlier if needed.

5. What if the School or LA Refuses an IDP?

🚨 You Can Appeal

• If your child is refused an IDP or you disagree with its contents, you can:

  1. Request mediation with the LA.

  2. Appeal to the Education Tribunal for Wales.

🔹 Support services like SNAP Cymru or your local Parent Partnership Service can help with appeals.

Here’s a template request letter you can use to apply for an Individual Development Plan (IDP) 

for your child. You can customise it to fit your situation.

📌 Template Request Letter for an IDP

[Your Name][Your Address][Your Email][Your Phone Number][Date]

SEND/ALN Department[Local Authority Name][Local Authority Address]

Subject: Request for an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for [Child’s Name]

Dear [Local Authority ALN Team],

I am writing to formally request an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is [age] years old and currently attends [School Name].

Reason for Request

I believe my child has Additional Learning Needs (ALN) that require extra support beyond what the school is currently providing. [Child’s Name] experiences difficulties with [briefly describe their challenges, e.g., communication, learning, sensory issues, behaviour, emotional regulation].

Although the school has implemented some support strategies, I feel these are not sufficient, and my child requires a legally binding IDP to ensure their needs are met.

Evidence of My Child’s Needs

I have attached supporting evidence, including:

✅ School reports detailing academic and behavioural challenges

✅ Professional assessments (e.g., Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, educational psychologist, speech & language therapist, occupational therapist)

✅ Letters from medical professionals (if applicable)

✅ My own observations as a parent

[If your child is awaiting an assessment, mention this, e.g.: My child is currently on the waiting list for an autism/ADHD assessment, and their difficulties significantly impact their education.]

Request for an IDP Needs Assessment

Under the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018, I request that the Local Authority carries out an assessment to determine my child’s ALN and creates an IDP if needed.

As stated in the Act, the Local Authority has 35 school days to make a decision. I would appreciate confirmation of receipt of this request and a timeline for the next steps.

Please let me know if you require further information. I look forward to your response.

Kind regards,

[Your Full Name][Your Contact Information]

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