How to Request an IDP in Wales
Part of the Learn Without Limits CIC IDP Series
Under the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018, every child or young person with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) is entitled to an Individual Development Plan (IDP).
But parents often tell us they feel confused about when to request an IDP, how to do it, and which support level they should be asking for. Schools sometimes talk about “universal provision”, “IEPs” or “IHPs”, and it isn’t always obvious how these fit into the ALN system.
This guide sets out the legal position clearly — including the critical point that support must be based on educational needs, NOT diagnosis — and includes a legally correct IDP request letter for both schools and local authorities.
1. Support Is Based on Needs, Not Diagnosis (The Law Is Unambiguous)
Schools sometimes tell parents:
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“We can’t give support without a diagnosis.”
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“We are waiting for CAMHS/paediatrics before we can open an IDP.”
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“We don’t have evidence until you get a report.”
This is unlawful.
Exact Legal Quotation:
The ALN Code for Wales 2021 states:
“A person has ALN if he or she has a learning difficulty or disability arising from a barrier to learning or participation, regardless of whether a diagnosis has been made.”
— ALN Code for Wales 2021, Paragraph 2.4
This is one of the most important legal protections parents have.
What this means in practice
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A diagnosis is not required for support.
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Waiting lists cannot be used as a reason to delay an IDP.
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Schools must base decisions on needs observed in the classroom, transitions, regulation, communication, sensory access, or learning progress.
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Parents’ evidence carries full legal weight.
ALN is triggered by educational need — not paperwork.
2. Universal Provision, IEPs, IHPs — What’s What?
Universal Provision
Support that every school must provide from their own resources, including:
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Differentiated teaching
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Reasonable adjustments (Equality Act 2010)
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Sensory/communication strategies
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EBSA support
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Behaviour/regulation approaches
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Short-term intervention groups
Universal Provision is not ALN. If needs persist despite it — or if the needs are significant at the outset — the child is likely to require an IDP.
IEP – Individual Education Plan
Not a statutory document under the ALN Act.
Schools may use them internally, but they cannot replace an IDP.
IHP – Individual Healthcare Plan
For medical needs only.
Not educational.
An IHP cannot substitute for an IDP when the child also has learning, sensory, communication, or regulation difficulties.
3. Home–School Communication Book: A Critical Piece of Evidence
A daily or weekly communication book is one of the most effective ways to gather evidence for ALN decision-making. It is particularly important when:
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Behaviour differs between home and school
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A child masks at school
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Regulation challenges emerge after school
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Fatigue, meltdowns, or shutdowns occur later in the day
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Homework, sleep, eating, or anxiety deteriorate after school
A communication book helps identify patterns, triggers, and unseen needs.
Use the book to record:
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Dysregulation after school
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Emotional crashes
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Behaviour linked to transitions
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Sleep and eating patterns
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Recovery time needed
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Episodes pointing to sensory overload or masking
Schools must consider all evidence, including that provided by parents. The ALN Code explicitly states that a child's needs must be understood across environments, not just in the classroom.
⬇ Below is the link to our article on masking.
https://learnwithoutlimitscic.blogspot.com/2025/11/why-so-many-disabled-children-mask-at.html
4. Who Can Request an IDP?
Under Section 21 of the ALN Act, an IDP request can be made by:
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A parent
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A young person (over 16)
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A school
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A local authority
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A health body (e.g., speech therapy, CAMHS, paediatrics)
The request must be considered within statutory timeframes.
5. When to Apply to the School vs the Local Authority
A. If the child is ON ROLL at a school
➡️ Your request must go to the school first.
The school ALNCo decides whether the child has ALN and whether an IDP is required.
If the school refuses or delays, parents then apply to the local authority.
B. You can apply DIRECTLY to the Local Authority when:
1. The child is Electively Home Educated (EHE)
LA is responsible for ALN decisions.
2. The child is not currently on roll
For example:
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Placement breakdown
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Deregistered
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Permanently excluded
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Transition between settings
3. The learner is in FE college
LAs handle IDPs for post-16 learners.
4. The school has refused, delayed, or stated they cannot meet need
Parents may go directly to the LA for a statutory decision.
6. What to Include in an IDP Request
You do not need a diagnosis.
You do not need professional reports.
You do not need proof beyond doubt.
Under the Act, you only need to demonstrate that your child may have ALN.
Include:
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Examples of difficulties
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Universal Provision attempted
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Home evidence (communication book, dysregulation patterns, masking)
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Any reports you have (optional)
7. IDP Request Templates
📄 TEMPLATE 1 — Request to SCHOOL
Subject: Request for ALN Consideration and IDP (Section 21, ALN Act 2018)
Dear [Headteacher/ALNCo],
I am making a formal request under Section 21 of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 for my child, [Name, DOB, Year], to be considered for an Individual Development Plan (IDP).
Under the ALN Code, identification of ALN is based on educational needs, not diagnosis. The Code states:
“A person has ALN… regardless of whether a diagnosis has been made.”
— ALN Code for Wales 2021, para 2.4
My reasons for believing my child has ALN include:
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[Insert needs/difficulties]
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[Impact on learning, well-being, regulation, sensory access, behaviour]
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[Universal Provision already attempted]
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[Patterns recorded via home–school communication book]
Please confirm:
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When the ALN consideration process will begin
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The statutory decision date
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The date of the next meeting
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
📄 TEMPLATE 2 — Request to LOCAL AUTHORITY
Subject: Request for ALN Consideration and IDP (Section 21, ALN Act 2018)
Dear [LA ALN Team],
I am requesting that the LA consider whether my child, [Name, DOB], has Additional Learning Needs and requires an IDP.
I am applying directly to the LA because:
☐ My child is Electively Home Educated (EHE)
☐ My child is not on roll
☐ My child is in FE
☐ The school has refused or is unable to meet need
☐ Other reason: _________
As the ALN Code states:
“A person has ALN… regardless of whether a diagnosis has been made.”
— ALN Code for Wales 2021, para 2.4
My request is based on observed educational needs, including:
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[Insert details]
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[Home evidence / communication book patterns]
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[Impact on learning, regulation, participation]
Please confirm the initiation date and statutory timeframe.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
___________________________________________________________________________________
When to Request an IDP (Including Statutory Timescales)
| Situation | Request To | Legal Basis | Statutory Timescale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child on roll at a mainstream or special school | School | ALN Act s.21 | 35 school days for the school to decide whether the child has ALN and whether an IDP is required. |
| Electively Home Educated (EHE) | Local Authority | ALN Code Ch.10 | 12 weeks (LA must reach a decision on ALN and produce an IDP if needed). |
| Child has no school place (excluded, deregistered, between settings) | Local Authority | ALN Act | 12 weeks for an ALN decision and IDP completion. |
| Learner in Further Education (16–25) | Local Authority | ALN Act & Code | 12 weeks for ALN decision and IDP production. |
| School refuses or delays and parent escalates | Local Authority | ALN Code Ch.12 | LA must respond “without delay” and complete the ALN decision and IDP within 12 weeks. |
| Needs clearly beyond school resources (e.g., specialist placement needed) | Local Authority | ALN Code | 12 weeks, unless an exception under the Code applies (rare). |
Notes for Accuracy
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35 school days applies only to school-led IDP consideration.
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12 weeks applies to all LA-led cases (EHE, FE, no placement, escalations, complex needs).
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Holidays pause the 35-day school clock but do not pause the 12-week LA clock unless a statutory exception is met.
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The LA must act “without delay” when taking over from a school (Code 12.25).
