What is Alternative Provision?
Alternative Provision (AP) is: 'education arranged by local authorities for pupils who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; education arranged by schools for pupils on a fixed period exclusion; and pupils being directed by schools to off-site provision to improve their behaviour'. (Alternative Provision Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities. DfE January 2013).
The needs of most children and young people can be met through mainstream provision, with a small proportion with the most complex needs requiring specialist support. This enables them to progress in their learning, going onto their next step towards a settled adulthood. Some children and young people however need education or training arranged outside a mainstream or specialist setting because otherwise they would not receive suitable education or training. This can be for a number of reasons:
- Pupils who are permanently excluded
- Children and young people who have medical and mental health needs
- Pupils at risk of suspension, on a fixed period suspension or directed by schools to offsite provision to support behavioural and emotional challenges
- Young people 16 - 25 with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or other vulnerabilities needing additional support to progress to a settled adulthood
- Children and young people unable to cope with a full-time curriculum, missing out on education or who find themselves marginalised from mainstream schools because of behavioural or other challenges.
