The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, to discuss significant proposals regarding Additional Learner Needs (ALN) provision and the Home to School Transport Policy, alongside reviewing the five-year Youth Strategy. Key decisions included progressing plans to expand specialist educational places for learners with ALN, with only minor objections raised regarding parking at Greenhill School. The committee also reviewed a refreshed Home to School Transport Policy, noting no substantive changes to eligibility or provision, and discussed the five-year Youth Strategy, highlighting the importance of participation, inclusion, and workforce development.

Additional Learner Needs (ALN) Phase 1 Determination

The committee undertook pre-decision scrutiny of proposals to expand and realign Additional Learner Needs (ALN) provision across Cardiff. The plans, which aim to create an additional 334 specialist places by Autumn 2026, with further places by 2032, were largely supported. The proposals include establishing new Specialist Resource Bases (SRBs) at various primary and secondary schools, including Welsh-medium provision, and increasing capacity at several special schools.

The main point of contention during the consultation was the proposed increase in capacity at Greenhill Special School¹, which received three objections primarily concerning parking issues at the temporary site at The Court School in Llanishen. Officers noted that while Greenhill School would continue to have peripatetic use of facilities like the pavilion at Archer Road, the parking concerns would be monitored and mitigated as part of the planning process.

Concerns were raised about the potential shortfall of 500-600 places if the data on learner needs was entirely accurate, and the committee requested an update on plans to address this, potentially as part of Phase 2 of the ALN expansion. The financial implications were discussed, with confirmation that costs would be met from the wider education budget and that Welsh Government funding for SRB places was progressing positively.

The committee welcomed the recruitment of approximately 100 additional staff to meet the needs of the expanded provision, noting the comprehensive training provided. Discussions also touched upon the diversity of the workforce and ongoing work with DARPL to address this. The impact of the training programmes and the strategy for capturing their effectiveness were highlighted, with a pilot project across 17 settings planned. The establishment of an inclusion board was noted, with a request for information on its membership. It was clarified that none of the new places created in Phase 1 were intended for out-of-county returners, though a three-to-five-year plan is in place to bring children back into Cardiff provision.

Home to School Transport Policy

The committee reviewed the refreshed Home to School Transport Policy, which aims to improve accessibility and transparency for families, schools, and stakeholders. Councillor Sarah Murray, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Education, stated that the policy had not been refreshed for nine years and the current document sought to align with current legislation and practice.

No substantive changes to eligibility or provision were proposed. Key enhancements include an updated ALN framework, clearer guidance for Education Other Than at School (EOTAS) learners and children looked after, and a requirement for annual entitlement reviews. A strategic shift towards promoting travel independence, particularly for learners approaching school leaving age, was emphasised, with enhanced support for independent travel training. Safeguarding arrangements were also strengthened within the policy.

Concerns were raised regarding safeguarding, particularly the ability for students to report safety issues directly if they felt uncomfortable speaking to parents. Officers confirmed they were testing a solution called 'My Concern' to increase learners' ability to report independently. The definition of a safe route and how the council works with partners like the police to address community safety issues was discussed, with a commitment to provide parents with risk assessments for specific routes upon request. The committee expressed concern that the emphasis on independence might disproportionately affect children in certain parts of the city, and that the council's route assessment methodology might not always align with children's lived experiences. This led to a discussion about the need for further work in conjunction with officers and community safety partnerships.

The policy's shift from an appeals process to a right to review was clarified as a simplification for parents, not a reduction in their rights. The challenges of fuel cost increases and the realism of savings targets were acknowledged. The committee also discussed the annual assessment of transport entitlement, particularly for ALN learners, and the potential anxiety this could cause parents, with a commitment to address this through improved communication. The definition of safe routes and the council's liaison with police on community safety were also discussed, with a recognition that this might require separate, detailed work.

Five-Year Youth Strategy

The committee undertook a short scrutiny of the proposed five-year Youth Strategy for Cardiff. Councillor Sarah Merry, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Education, acknowledged the significant work undertaken, particularly by Councillor Bradbury who had steered the strategy's development. The strategy focuses on key priorities including participation, inclusion, strengthening the Welsh language, targeted support, safeguarding, wellbeing, workforce development, and partnership working. Crucially, these priorities have been shaped directly by young people themselves.

James Healan, Principal Youth Officer, presented the strategy, highlighting that it builds upon a previous five-year plan and aligns with new Welsh legislation requiring local authorities to submit a five-year strategic framework plan. He apologised for the extensive appendices, explaining they were necessary to circumvent word limits for the submission to Welsh Government. The strategy aims to create a Youth Partnership Board for governance and oversight, building on the existing Youth Action Group model. Consultation with young people is ongoing, with efforts to reach those who do not typically engage with services.

Key themes discussed included the need for greater emphasis on groups such as music, drama, and sports, and their impact on young people's lives. It was clarified that the strategic plan is focused on youth work itself, not the myriad of other support services available. Confidence was expressed that the strategy is evidence-based, with extensive data and consultation feedback provided to Welsh Government.

Concerns were raised about challenges in reaching younger children and those with disabilities, as well as a perceived drop-off in engagement as children get older. The geographical spread of consultation responses and the potential reasons behind it were discussed. The importance of closing the feedback loop to young people was repeatedly stressed, with ongoing work to improve tracking and reporting mechanisms.

Discussions also covered workforce development, including recruitment from local communities and the challenges posed by qualification requirements. The strategy's aim to prepare young people for employment was highlighted, with details provided on existing frameworks and initiatives to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The committee also noted the support available for care-experienced children regarding employment and work experience, and the potential to extend this to other vulnerable groups. Finally, the lack of BSL interpreters and the sufficiency of Level 1 and 2 BSL training for significantly hearing-impaired pupils were raised, alongside the need for greater disability awareness and the inclusion of young people with disabilities in all groups.

The committee resolved to send comments, observations, and recommendations to the relevant Cabinet Member.