Committee publication · Correspondence · 15 April 2026
Correspondence from Wrexham County Borough Council, relating to cross-border education, dated 12 March
From: Welsh Affairs Committee
Summary
Wrexham County Borough Council outlines systemic challenges in cross-border education for learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN). The council identifies misalignments between Welsh and English statutory frameworks, gaps in health service coordination, delays in plan updates, and funding recoupment difficulties affecting schools serving cross-border pupil populations.
Key findings
- Welsh ALNET provides statutory plans to all children with ALN regardless of severity; English EHCPs only issued to those with 'most significant need', creating systemic disparity for cross-border learners.
- Health services refuse assessments and referrals where child residency and school location differ, leaving schools without clinical support (e.g., speech and language therapy).
- English local authorities fail to respond to school requests for EHCP plan reviews and amendments despite repeated contact, creating safeguarding and provision gaps.
- Welsh schools cannot access English health services for English-resident pupils; English health services won't refer to Welsh counterparts, trapping schools in dual-jurisdiction limbo.
- Funding recoupment from English LAs remains unresolved despite prior agreements; Belonging Regulations not updated post-ALN legislation implementation, causing continued funding confusion.
Tone
FactualTopics
education-policycross-border-governanceadditional-learning-needspublic-healtheducation-funding
Key actors
Wrexham County Borough Council, Welsh Affairs Committee, Education authorities (English local authorities), Health Boards (Wales and England), Cross-border schools
Notable line
“Discrepancy between statutory plans and severity of need. Under the Welsh ALNET all children …”
Key Quotes
“Schools on the border have to have a clear understanding of ALN/SEN legislation which provides a significant challenge to ALNCOs.”
“Under the Welsh ALNET all children, regardless of severity of ALN are entitled to a statutory plan whereas only children who are resident in England with the most significant need are in receipt of an EHCP.”
“… the Health Board will not accept a referral to assess and provide advice to the school if the English school, despite the child being resident in Wales.”
“Communication with English Loal Authorities can be limited or challenging.”
“The Belonging Regulations have not been reviewed and amended following the implementation of new ALN legislation in Wales which can lead to confusion around funding of provision.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗