On March 20 2023, Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language, issued a written statement announcing that the implementation of the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) reform was to be extended for compulsory school-aged pupils. The Minister explained that:

…over the last six months, ALNCos, local authorities, special schools, head teachers, third sector providers and other education practitioners have told us that more time is needed to embed effective change. They have highlighted the increasing pressures created by responding for example, to the enduring impacts of the pandemic on children and young people requiring support due to their social and emotional issues, whilst at the same time moving children and young people from the SEN system to the new ALN system. I have therefore determined there is a need for more time to deliver the changes and improvements through the ALN reforms.  

Consequently, children who were due to move to the ALN system between September 2023 and August 2024, will now move to the ALN system between September 2023 and August 2025. Details of which year groups will be involved can be found here.

However, the plans previously announced for post-16 pupils remain unchanged.