Alternative Provision

Alternative Provision

Alternative Provision is defined by the Department for Education as

Education arranged by local authorities for children of compulsory school age who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; alternative provision can also be used by schools for children on a suspension (fixed period exclusion); and for children being directed by schools to offsite provision to receive education intended to improve their behaviour."

In York this offer is met by the local authority a three tier model of Universal, Targeted and Exceptional Provision. The local authority works with the following to provide Alternative Provision:

• Internal Alternative Provision within schools
• Alternative Provision within Multi Academy Trusts
• A directory of Local Authority quality assured Non-school Alternative Provisions
• Danesgate Community (our Pupil Referral Unit)
• Inspire Independent Special School (part of Excel Trust)
• Medical Needs Provision

City of York Council has identified a range of independent Non-school settings that offer Alternative Provision. Whilst these are unregistered settings (not registered as schools) the local authority has completed Quality Assurance exercises that satisfies them that the provision is suitably safe and secure. This information is shared with schools so they can make their own assessment. Where appropriate, affordable and possible schools can choose to commission from this list of providers in partnership with the family, provider and any other involved agency.

Schools can use such provision to try to prevent exclusions, or to re-engage pupils in their education. Schools may consider whether children and young people who are not making expected progress in mainstream school due to behavioural issues, short- or long-term illness, special educational needs, mental health needs or school exclusion and suspension may be a suitable referral for Alternative Provision.

It's expected that schools will refer pupils to Alternative Provision very rarely, and only where the setting can offer something that the school cannot, and only where the additional financial cost and time out of school is appropriate and proportionate to the presenting need, and where the school can see that it may benefit the situation positively.

With a core aim to advance pupil development in a setting different to the traditional classroom, Alternative Provision can offer much smaller pupil numbers and allows children and young people the opportunity to experience a different environment.

Alternative provision can be delivered in several different settings, including but not limited to:

• sports programmes
• online learning offers
• outdoor learning environments
• work experience placements
• vocational and practical settings, such as bike mechanics

Effective Alternative Provision gives young people the personalised education and support they need to overcome challenges, improve their wellbeing, achieve their goals, and successfully reintegrate back into mainstream school or move on to the next stage of education, training or employment.