A new report prepared by Arad Research for the Welsh Government is now available. The Analysis of Child Poverty Lived Experience Responses and Evidence Review brings together insights collected through feedback from respondents to the Welsh Government’s child poverty lived experience engagement exercise, alongside a review of existing evidence. These insights reflect the experiences of families and children living in poverty across Wales.

The findings from this report help inform the Welsh Government’s ongoing work to tackle child poverty and contribute to the Child Poverty Strategy for Wales Progress Report.

Read the full report here

Arad’s latest report on the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system has been published, summarising the findings of a survey of professionals from education, local authorities and local health boards. The survey gathered views on the ALN system, with findings presented across several themes: knowledge and understanding, workforce support, the role of ALNCo, planning and provision, collaboration, and any implementation barriers. For more details, you can read the full report at Evaluation of the Additional Learning Needs system: survey of practitioners and professionals | GOV.WALES

Welsh Government has published a qualitative study on equity and inclusion in the Curriculum for Wales produced by Arad and Cardiff Metropolitan University as part of our Formative Evaluation of the Curriculum for Wales. The report aims to provide answers to two overarching research questions:

• How is Curriculum for Wales guidance being implemented in practice to support equity and inclusion?

• How are settings and practitioners supported to enact the Curriculum for Wales in a way that supports equity and inclusion?

The report forms part of a series of qualitative studies examining specific aspects of the Curriculum for Wales, undertaken by Arad and our academic partners. The other studies focused on health and wellbeing, education other than at school (EOTAS), and curriculum and assessment design and pedagogy.

Welsh Government has published a qualitative study on the Health and Well-being area of learning and experience in the Curriculum for Wales, produced by Arad and Cardiff Metropolitan University as part of our Formative Evaluation of the Curriculum for Wales. The report aims to provide answers to two overarching research questions:

• How is Curriculum for Wales guidance in relation to the Health and Well-being Area being implemented in practice?

• How are settings and practitioners supported to enact the Health and Well-being Area as part of the Curriculum for Wales?

The report forms part of a series of qualitative studies examining specific aspects of the Curriculum for Wales, undertaken by Arad and our academic partners. The other studies focused on equity and inclusion, education other than at school (EOTAS), and curriculum and assessment design and pedagogy.

Welsh Government has published a qualitative study on realising the Curriculum for Wales in Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) provision including Pupil Referral Units (PRU), produced by Arad and Bangor University as part of our Formative Evaluation of the Curriculum for Wales. The research sought to address two central aims in relation to EOTAS provision:

• to understand how Curriculum for Wales guidance is being implemented in practice

• to explore how providers of EOTAS are supported to enact Curriculum for Wales

The report forms part of a series of qualitative studies examining specific aspects of the Curriculum for Wales, undertaken by Arad and our academic partners. The other studies focused on equity and inclusion, health and wellbeing, and curriculum and assessment design and pedagogy.

Welsh Government has published a qualitative study on curriculum and assessment design and pedagogy, produced by Arad and the University of Stirling as part of our Formative Evaluation of the Curriculum for Wales. The report aims to provide answers to two overarching research questions:

• How is Curriculum for Wales guidance in relation to curriculum and assessment design and pedagogy being implemented in practice?

• How are settings and practitioners supported to enact curriculum and assessment design and pedagogical approaches as part of Curriculum for Wales?

The report forms part of a series of qualitative studies examining specific aspects of the Curriculum for Wales, undertaken by Arad and our academic partners. The other studies focused on equity and inclusion, health and wellbeing, and education other than at school (EOTAS).

A report by Arad exploring parents’ and carers’ views on the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system has been published by the Welsh Government.

The report summarises the findings of a survey of parents and carers conducted as part of a 4-year evaluation of the ALN system.

The survey was carried out in March and April 2025 and explored parents and carers views on a number of topics including:

• Individual Development Plans

• information and guidance on the ALN system

• identification of ALN

• person-centred planning meetings

• Additional Learning Provision (ALP)

• satisfaction with the ALN system