Specialist provision
Page updated on: 24/07/2025
A specialist placement is an educational provision designed to support children and young people whose additional learning needs (ALN) cannot be fully met in a mainstream school. Most of our specialist placements are attached to mainstream schools, which support inclusion while providing a tailored environment and support.
The Inclusion Panel that determines all placements meets weekly. The panel is made up of Inclusion Officers, Educational and Child Psychologists, ALN Co-ordinators, and Headteachers. If a child meets the criteria for a specialist placement, the Inclusion Panel will offer a place in the location closest available to the capacity child's home.
If it has been suggested by a professional that a learner needs to attend a specialist setting and you wish to discuss this further, please email ALNQueries@carmarthenshire.gov.uk to speak to a family liaison officer.
This is a short term placement for children aged 3-7 years (Foundation Learning) with general or specific developmental delay, undergoing assessment. The child will have been seen by an Educational and Child Psychologist and following base line assessments from a range of agencies including health, a recommendation may be made that the child requires a period of observation and assessment to identify long term needs.
For children whose speech, language and communication needs require a specialist setting; children have access to mainstream experiences and opportunities in the host school. There must be agreement between Speech and Language Service professionals and the Educational and Child Psychologist that the child has speech / developmental language disorder i.e difficulty as well as delayed language development.
This is a placement for children and young people with long term, severe or complex needs. Evidence should include being on/below 1st centile.
- Canolfan yr Enfys Foundation Learning to year 6
- Myrddin Foundation Learning to Year 6
- Canolfan y Felin Foundation Learning to year 6. Severe learning difficulty provision only.
- Canolfan Elfed Year 7 to 11+
- Canolfan Amanwy Year 7 to 11+
- Heol Goffa Foundation Learning to Year 11+
- Canolfan Nantgaredig Foundation Learning to Year 6. Welsh medium provision.
- Canolfan yr Eithin Year 7 to 11+. Welsh medium provision.
This is a placement for children who have a diagnosis of Autism and experience the greatest difficulty in engaging with others. The child has persistent, complex, profound and long-term needs in the area of Autistic Spectrum Conditions. It will be expected that all reasonable steps have been taken to support a placement in mainstream and that these have not been successful.
- Canolfan Myrddin Foundation Learning to Year 6
- Pwll Foundation Learning to Year 6
- Canolfan y Goleudy Foundation Learning to Year 6
- Canolfan yr Enfys Foundation Learning to Year 6
- Canolfan y Bedol Foundation Learning to Year 6
- Canolfan y Fesen Foundation Learning to Year 6
- Canolfan Penygaer Foundation Learning to Year 6
- Canolfan Cothi Key Years 7 to 11+
- Canolfan Elfed Years 7 to 11+
- Canolfan y Môr Years 7 to 11+
- Canolfan Nantgaredig Foundation Learning to Year 6. Welsh medium provision.
- Canolfan yr Eithin Years 7 to 11+. Welsh medium provision
This is placement for children or young people who have severe or profound deafness and/or Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder which has a severe impact on auditory function.
Placements for children with persistent, complex, profound, and long-term needs in the area of social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH). It will be expected that all reasonable steps have been taken to support a placement in mainstream prior to a request for a placement.
- Canolfan Bro Tywi Foundation learning to Year 6
- Carmarthenshire Secondary Teaching and Learning Centre (Carmarthen/Burry Port) Year 7 to 11
- Carmarthenshire Secondary Teaching and Learning Centre Canolfan y Gors Year 7 to 11
