Alternative Provision

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This information describes what Alternative Provision is, as well as providing a regularly updated list of Alternative Provision placements.

What is Alternative Provision

• Local authorities are responsible for arranging suitable education for permanently
  excluded pupils, and for other pupils who – because of illness or other reasons –
  would not receive suitable education without such arrangements being made.
• Governing bodies of schools are responsible for arranging suitable full-time education
  from the sixth day of a fixed period exclusion.
• Schools may also direct pupils off-site for education, to help improve their behaviour.
• Statutory guidance sets out the Government’s expectations of local authorities and
  maintained schools who commission alternative provision and pupil referral units. The
  Government expects those who are not legally required to have regard to the statutory
  guidance to still use it as a guide to good practice.

Children with SEN who are in Alternative Provision

Government guidance(Schools guide on the 0 to 25 SEND Code of Practice) says that Local Authorities should make arrangements for the suitable education of a child of compulsory school age, that would otherwise miss out on education. The Education Act 1996 defines suitable education as:
“efficient education suitable to (his) age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs (he) may have”.

This education should be full-time, unless the Local Authority agree that for health reasons(mental of physical), fewer hours would be in the child’s best interests. However, “full-time” education is not defined in law.

Where a child is experiencing Barriers to Attendance, the school they are on roll at can commission Alternative Provision. If the child does not have an EHCP, then the provider of Alternative Provision should use the Graduated Response to support the child’s needs.
Where a child has an EHCP, then the Alternative Provision provided must be in line with the needs and provisions identified by the EHCP.

BCP Council Accredited list of AP Providers

BCP Council Alternative Provision Policy includes a description of what they feel good Alternative Provision looks like, when they will commission it, and more. It also describes their list of “accredited providers”. These are private providers of Alternative Provision that the Local Authority are satisfied are Ofsted registered(where appropriate), who have staff with suitable training, experience, and safeguarding checks.

BCP Council does not currently share their list, which is updated monthly, but you may ask your EHCCo for the names of provision that meets your needs.

Further links and resources