Snap Cymru Manifesto 2026
OUR VISION
A Wales where every child and young person, regardless of need, background or circumstance receives the right support, at the right time, in the right way.
A Wales where families are listened to, respected and empowered.
A Wales where equality of access to education is a lived reality.
For 40 years, SNAP Cymru has stood by families, schools and professionals to make this vision achievable. As Wales approaches the 2026 election, we set out the changes needed to protect and strengthen children’s rights and ensure the new ALN system succeeds.
1. Put Children and Families at the Centre of ALN Reform
The ALN system will only work if families are involved at every stage.
We call for:
Early, accessible and independent ALN advocacy and advice services for all families.
Transparent decision-making and consistent communication from schools and local authorities.
Strengthened rights for children and young people to participate in decisions about their education.
Investment in specialist family support roles that prevent crisis, conflict and exclusion.
2. Protect and Prioritise Early Intervention
Early intervention saves money, prevents escalation, and improves outcomes for children and families.
We ask parties to commit to:
Funding early intervention as a statutory necessity, not an optional extra.
Ensuring ALNCo and educational psychology capacity meets demand.
Expanding behaviour support, wellbeing programmes and family-school partnership models.
Protecting and properly funding specialist, third sector advocacy, mediation and disagreement resolution services.
3. Ensure Fair, Sustainable Funding for ALN Support
The financial pressures on Local Authorities and schools risk undermining ALN transformation.
We call for:
A long-term ALN funding settlement that reflects the true cost of meeting need.
A review of funding formulas to ensure that high-need learners receive timely support.
Investment in inclusive practice so mainstream schools can genuinely meet diverse needs.
Greater transparency and accountability in how ALN budgets are allocated and spent.
4. Strengthen the Workforce around the Child
Wales needs a skilled and stable workforce to deliver ALN reform
We ask for:
A national workforce plan for ALN, including recruitment, training and retention.
Guaranteed protected time for ALNCos.
Training in neurodiversity, trauma-informed practice and family engagement for all school staff.
Recognition of the third sector’s specialist expertise and its contribution to the wider workforce.
5. Champion Rights, Inclusion & Equity
Every child has the right to learn, thrive and belong We call for:
A commitment to reducing all kinds of exclusions, particularly for learners with ALN and disabilities.
Strengthened monitoring of poverty linked barriers and disability discrimination in education.
Cross government work on ALN, linking education, health, social care and early years services.
A national drive to reduce child poverty, recognising its direct link to ALN and disabilities.
6. Value and Properly Sustain the Third Sector
Charities are central to delivering Wales’ ALN ambitions, yet many of us face financial distress. Welsh Government says in its Code of Practice for funding the third sector that ‘Public bodies should provide funding that reflects the full cost of delivering services, including overheads, to avoid underfunding and ensure long-term viability of third sector organisations.’ We recommend:
Multiyear funding agreements for essential third-sector services.
Fair, transparent commissioning processes.
Recognition of independent specialist advocacy, advice, casework and mediation as core components of the ALN system, not optional extras.
Collaboration between government, local authorities and third-sector organisations to deliver consistent ALN support across Wales.
That public bodies take into account the ‘Third Sector Scheme: COP for funding the third sector’ when commissioning services.
7. A National Commitment to CoProduction
Solutions work best when we truly work together.
SNAP Cymru calls on all political parties to commit to:
Involving children, young people and families in policy design.
Working closely with the third sector to understand frontline realities.
Ensuring accountability structures reflect real lived experience, from children, families and those working with them.
OUR ASK
SNAP Cymru invites every party, candidate and policymaker to work with us to build an ALN system that is sustainable, compassionate and effective.
We will continue to:
Support families, children and young people across Wales
Advocate for fairness, inclusion and early intervention
Provide independent, evidence-based advocacy advice and casework
Work collaboratively with schools, local authorities and government.
BUT WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT SUSTAINED POLITICAL COMMITMENT AND FAIR FUNDING.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!