Alternative provision is education provided outside of a traditional school setting.
It can be used in different ways, for example as a short-term intervention, as extra support alongside school, or when a child cannot attend school due to needs such as health reasons. It may also be used to help prevent exclusion.
Alternative provision should always aim to either support a return to mainstream school or help identify a suitable regulated setting.
It can be a positive option for some children and young people, particularly when targeted support is needed to help them re-engage with learning. It is usually arranged by a school if they are unable to fully meet a child or young person’s needs in their usual setting. In some cases, the Local Authority (LA) may arrange this, typically when the child or young person is not on a school roll.
It’s important to know that not all alternative provision is regulated or inspected in the same way as schools. Only pupil referral units (PRUs) and alternative provision free schools are routinely inspected.
Only if they are a PRU or AP free school.
Many alternative provision providers are unregulated. This means they do not have to follow the same rules as schools, including:
Some providers may say they are on a voluntary register. This is not the same as being formally regulated or inspected and does not guarantee quality.
Only if they are a PRU or AP free school.
Many alternative provision providers are unregulated. This means they do not have to follow the same rules as schools, including:
Some providers may say they are on a voluntary register. This is not the same as being formally regulated or inspected and does not guarantee quality.
No.
A directory helps you explore options, but it does not mean:
Whoever is commissioning the AP must always carry out their own checks.
No.
A directory helps you explore options, but it does not mean:
Whoever is commissioning the AP must always carry out their own checks.
This depends on who is commissioning the Alternative Provision.
The school:
If your child attends Alternative Provision and is on roll at a school, that school remains responsible for them. This includes making sure they are safe and that the provision is suitable.
This is set out in law and national safeguarding guidance:
Because of this, schools must carry out checks before placing a child and may choose to work with providers they already know and have assurances about.
The Local Authority:
A Local Authority (LA) is the local council who is responsible for services in your area, including education, children’s services, and support for families. In Hampshire this is Hampshire County Council.
If the Local Authority, commissions the Alternative Provision they are responsible for your child’s safety and wellbeing, which means the LA will only use provision it has checked and deemed suitable.
For detailed procedures on LA and school responsibilities, refer to the statutory Arranging Alternative Provision Guidance published by the Department for Education.
This depends on who is commissioning the Alternative Provision.
The school:
If your child attends Alternative Provision and is on roll at a school, that school remains responsible for them. This includes making sure they are safe and that the provision is suitable.
This is set out in law and national safeguarding guidance:
Because of this, schools must carry out checks before placing a child and may choose to work with providers they already know and have assurances about.
The Local Authority:
A Local Authority (LA) is the local council who is responsible for services in your area, including education, children’s services, and support for families. In Hampshire this is Hampshire County Council.
If the Local Authority, commissions the Alternative Provision they are responsible for your child’s safety and wellbeing, which means the LA will only use provision it has checked and deemed suitable.
For detailed procedures on LA and school responsibilities, refer to the statutory Arranging Alternative Provision Guidance published by the Department for Education.
As a parent or carer, you can share your views and preferences about Alternative Provision if it has been agreed that this will be put in place for your child, however, the final decision is made by the school or Local Authority, as they remain responsible for your child’s education and safety during school hours.
You would only be able to choose a provider yourself if you are arranging and funding this privately, outside of school hours or through an Education Other Than in School or College (EOTISC) provision which is only agreed if the appropriate legal threshold is met.
As a parent or carer, you can share your views and preferences about Alternative Provision if it has been agreed that this will be put in place for your child, however, the final decision is made by the school or Local Authority, as they remain responsible for your child’s education and safety during school hours.
You would only be able to choose a provider yourself if you are arranging and funding this privately, outside of school hours or through an Education Other Than in School or College (EOTISC) provision which is only agreed if the appropriate legal threshold is met.
The alternative provision you wanted, may not have been one the school felt was safe or suitable. If your child attends Alternative Provision and is on roll at a school, their school remains responsibility for them. This includes making sure they are safe and that the provision is suitable. Because of this, schools (and the Local Authority, where they are commissioning provision) must carry out checks before placing a child, and they usually work with providers they already know and trust.
The alternative provision you wanted, may not have been one the school felt was safe or suitable. If your child attends Alternative Provision and is on roll at a school, their school remains responsibility for them. This includes making sure they are safe and that the provision is suitable. Because of this, schools (and the Local Authority, where they are commissioning provision) must carry out checks before placing a child, and they usually work with providers they already know and trust.
No.
The only registered types of alternative provision are:
Most alternative provision is not regulated in the same way as schools. This means:
Because of this, it is important to ask questions and check what is in place.
No.
The only registered types of alternative provision are:
Most alternative provision is not regulated in the same way as schools. This means:
Because of this, it is important to ask questions and check what is in place.
Some providers describe themselves in ways that make them sound like schools.
This can sometimes be misleading.
Always check:
Some providers describe themselves in ways that make them sound like schools.
This can sometimes be misleading.
Always check:
In most cases, no.
Children and young people are usually best supported in a regulated school environment during school hours wherever possible.
Alternative provision is more commonly used:
Unless it is a registered PRU or AP free school, it should not normally replace a full-time school education.
If your child is on the roll of a school, the school remains responsible for them. Speak to the school or SEN team before making decisions.
In most cases, no.
Children and young people are usually best supported in a regulated school environment during school hours wherever possible.
Alternative provision is more commonly used:
Unless it is a registered PRU or AP free school, it should not normally replace a full-time school education.
If your child is on the roll of a school, the school remains responsible for them. Speak to the school or SEN team before making decisions.
Education will usually be arranged by your EHC Coordinator or Special Needs Officer (SNO).
They will:
You can suggest providers, but the Local Authority will need to ensure they are appropriate, as they retain safeguarding responsibility.
Education will usually be arranged by your EHC Coordinator or Special Needs Officer (SNO).
They will:
You can suggest providers, but the Local Authority will need to ensure they are appropriate, as they retain safeguarding responsibility.
If a child does not have a school place, the Local Authority will arrange suitable education as soon as possible. This may not be in a school/college immediately due to the unavailability of suitable provision.
Alternative provision may be used to provide education, often as an interim arrangement while a longer-term placement is identified.
If a child does not have a school place, the Local Authority will arrange suitable education as soon as possible. This may not be in a school/college immediately due to the unavailability of suitable provision.
Alternative provision may be used to provide education, often as an interim arrangement while a longer-term placement is identified.
No, it is not the same.
Education Otherwise Than In School is only agreed when a child or young person meets the legal test set out in Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Meeting the test relies on specific legal criteria:
If this legal test is met and EOTIS is agreed, you can find provisions that you can suggest to build a package of support for your child or young person on our directory. Our advice is to start small, meet your child or young person where they are and add to the package once they are ready to engage with something additional.
No, it is not the same.
Education Otherwise Than In School is only agreed when a child or young person meets the legal test set out in Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Meeting the test relies on specific legal criteria:
If this legal test is met and EOTIS is agreed, you can find provisions that you can suggest to build a package of support for your child or young person on our directory. Our advice is to start small, meet your child or young person where they are and add to the package once they are ready to engage with something additional.
If absence is long-term or repeated, schools may request proof that your child is unwell and unable to attend school as this is a key part of their safeguarding duties. Keep copies of any appointment letters or medical reports.
If your child:
The school may want to draw up a support plan with you and consider whether to refer your child to the LAs specialist services.
Education for pupils who are unable to attend school because of medical needs can be provided for in the following ways:
Please discuss this with your child’s school in the first instance.
If absence is long-term or repeated, schools may request proof that your child is unwell and unable to attend school as this is a key part of their safeguarding duties. Keep copies of any appointment letters or medical reports.
If your child:
The school may want to draw up a support plan with you and consider whether to refer your child to the LAs specialist services.
Education for pupils who are unable to attend school because of medical needs can be provided for in the following ways:
Please discuss this with your child’s school in the first instance.
If you are looking for an Alternative Provision because you are home educating your child, you can use this checklist to ensure the Alternative Provision has safety measures in place. You can also use this checklist to help guide conversations with schools or the Local Authority (LA) where they are paying for the Alternative Provision.
Any provider should be able to show:
If a provider cannot show these, think carefully before using the service.
Here is a checklist that can help you assess the suitability of an Alternative Provision.
If you are looking for an Alternative Provision because you are home educating your child, you can use this checklist to ensure the Alternative Provision has safety measures in place. You can also use this checklist to help guide conversations with schools or the Local Authority (LA) where they are paying for the Alternative Provision.
Any provider should be able to show:
If a provider cannot show these, think carefully before using the service.
Here is a checklist that can help you assess the suitability of an Alternative Provision.
Provision should take place in a safe and appropriate environment.
Be cautious if:
Always ask to see where your child will be.
Provision should take place in a safe and appropriate environment.
Be cautious if:
Always ask to see where your child will be.
Children should receive a full-time education wherever possible.
While “full-time” is not strictly defined in law, it should usually be equivalent to a full school timetable.
This can be made up of:
Unregistered providers should not deliver more than 18 hours per week, or they may be considered to be acting as an unregistered school, which is illegal.
Children should receive a full-time education wherever possible.
While “full-time” is not strictly defined in law, it should usually be equivalent to a full school timetable.
This can be made up of:
Unregistered providers should not deliver more than 18 hours per week, or they may be considered to be acting as an unregistered school, which is illegal.