Committee publication · Correspondence · 14 May 2026
Correspondence from Monmouthshire County Council in relation to cross-border education
From: Welsh Affairs Committee
Summary
Monmouthshire County Council raises concerns about cross-border education between England and Wales, highlighting misalignment between English SEND and Welsh ALN legislative frameworks. The council identifies challenges in statutory planning, funding responsibilities, health service coordination, and transitions for children educated in one country while resident in another, plus risks of informal exclusion practices.
Key findings
- Differences between English SEND and Welsh ALN legislative frameworks create significant barriers around statutory planning, funding, and consultation on Education, Health and Care Plans for cross-border learners
- Securing health services (speech and language therapy, occupational therapy) for children educated in Wales but resident in England is difficult due to commissioning and service boundary issues
- Complications arise for children looked after, pupils requiring EOTAS provision, and during transitions where education, social care, and health systems do not align between nations
- Increasing numbers of pupils are being directed to Monmouthshire schools from across the border for behavioural concerns, raising risks of informal exclusion and placing pressure on local provision
- Cross-border families and schools must navigate two distinct systems, creating administrative complexity, risking inequity, and negatively affecting educational continuity
Tone
CriticalTopics
education-policycross-border-servicesadditional-learning-needshealth-services
Key actors
County Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, Monmouthshire County Council, Welsh Affairs Committee
Notable line
“… cross-border education requires families, schools, and local authorities to navigate two distinct systems. This creates administrative complexity, risks inequity for learners, and can negatively affect educational continuity.”
Key Quotes
“From an inclusion and additional learning needs perspective, differences between the English SEND and Welsh ALN legislative frameworks are a significant issue.”
“Securing health input for learners educated in Wales but resident in England, such as speech and language therapy and occupational therapy, can be particularly difficult due to commissioning and service boundary issues.”
“Greater clarity on responsibilities, improved cross-border collaboration—particularly in ALN and health services—and more consistent transitional guidance would significantly improve outcomes for children and young people.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗