Commentary on Sections of the Act Part 2 – Additional Learning Needs Key terms Section 3 - Additional learning provision
14.Section 3 defines the meaning of ‘additional learning provision’ (ALP), which itself forms part of the definition of ALN in section 2. This definition is very similar to the definition of ‘special educational provision’ found in the 1996 Act but in particular widens the definition by reference to mainstream institutions in the further education sector in Wales (mainstream FEIs) because, unlike the ALN definition, it applies in relation to young people who are students at such institutions. Mainstream FEIs are defined in section 99.
15.The definition of ALP included in the Act has been made by reference to a child’s age, with a slightly different definition operating in relation to children under the age of three (compared to children under the age of two in the 1996 Act). This reflects the fact that for children under the age of three there is no formal educational provision made by the state. Regulations under this section allow the Welsh Ministers to replace the references to the age of three with references to a different age.