Types of Alternative Provision
Alternative Provision can take many different forms, depending on the individual needs of the child. It is important the school or Local Authority service commissioning the provision is clear on whether the provision is a registered school with a DfE number, or an unregistered setting as this will have considerations regarding how many hours a pupil can access the provision. In all cases, the provision should be both efficient in its delivery of education and suitable to the child's age, ability, and aptitude; and to any special educational needs they may have.
Please refer to Hillingdon's AP Guidance 24-25 (PDF, 280 KB) for examples of registered and unregistered Alternative Provisions.
Introducing a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) will create a competitive environment for suppliers and ongoing assurance on value for money whilst also ensuring a breadth of provision will be available to best meet the needs of a diverse and fluid cohort of children and young people.
In terms of process, bids were evaluated against the criteria and methodology detailed within our ITT and specification documentation.
Successful suppliers have met the minimum quality requirements for admission onto the DPS.
Contracts have been awarded to the successful providers listed below and are categorised into different 'lots' depending on the provision that can be provided.
Lot Categories and Providers (PDF, 298 KB)
All teams within the Council must now use the providers on the DPS when seeking a placement in an alternative provision for a child or young person. A provider that is not on the DPS can only be sourced if none of these providers are able to meet the requirements of the request or meet the needs of the child.
The DPS allows for new entrants to join at any time, subject to them completing and passing the relevant qualification criteria. This ensures that there will be sufficient provision available to meet the needs of children and young people and will support high compliance standards. This also enables market development opportunities to keep up with changing demands pressure, and service development
Referral Process
