Commentary on Sections of the Act Part 2 – Additional Learning Needs Participation, United Nations conventions and access to information Section 9 - Advice and information
25.Section 9 requires local authorities to ensure that those who have an interest in the operation of the new ALN system (including children, children’s parents and young people) are provided with information and advice about ALN and the system provided for by the Act. In doing so local authorities must have regard to the principle that the information and advice is provided in an impartial manner. Local authorities must also make the availability of information and advice services, dispute avoidance and resolution services, and independent advocacy services, known to schools and others. In turn, governing bodies, when informed of these matters, have a duty to make them known to their pupils, pupils’ parents and case friends or their students (subsections (4) and (5)). The ALN code may impose further requirements related to advice and information (see section 4(5)).