(UK) Wales: $314M for SPED since 2020; 'thousands' of special needs kids not in school

June 25, 2025, Herald Wales: Conwy Council and Welsh Government criticised over autistic education failings

A DAD has accused Conwy Council and the Welsh Government of failing autistic pupils, claiming vulnerable children and teenagers are being left without a good enough education across the county.

Chris Bryant claims his 16-year-old son, who attends the Pontio unit for autistic children at Ysgol Aberconwy in Conwy, has faced repeated bullying and assaults on school buses.

Chris, 53, and his wife Sarah have four children aged five, ten, 14, and 16 and live in Old Colwyn after moving from London.

Chris’ oldest child has been diagnosed with both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but is academically able.

Ysgol Aberconwy provides the main provision for autism in Conwy county, with its Pontio and Tegfan units – although Ysgol Gogarth in Llandudno also provides education for children with even greater needs.

But Chris said Conwy Council initially refused to provide dedicated school transport from Old Colwyn to the Conwy school for Chris’ son, who wants to return for his A-levels in September.

Chris says the family had to fight Conwy Council before it agreed to provide school transport, as Welsh Government legislation only requires councils to provide this up to age 16 – unlike in England, where it continues until 18. . . .

The Welsh Government said they have significantly increased investment to support children with additional learning needs. . . .

 “There are thousands of children in Wales who are not in school because their needs are not being met, and these are the most vulnerable kids, the ones with disabilities. . . .

 “The council or Welsh Government aren’t providing for children with special needs especially those with ADHD and autism. This combined type is particularly hard to provide for,” said Chris. . . .

A spokeswoman for Conwy Council’s Education Service said: “Over a third of the Council’s budget is spent on Education and Schools, and we fund a relatively wide and extensive range of Additional Learning Provision (ALP). . . .

A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “Our national mission commits to breaking down barriers for all learners.

“Since 2020, we have significantly increased investment with more than £150m [$205M]  to support ALN implementation as well as providing £80m [$109M] capital funding to local authorities to improve facilities and infrastructure for learners with ALN. . . .