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Alternative Provision

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Overview

This page has been created to ensure that parents or carers clearly understand:

What is Alternative Provision

AP is education arranged for children of statutory school age (5 to 16) who cannot access suitable full-time education in school and need to access AP for part of their learning. . This may be due to:

AP ensures children continue learning in a way that meets their needs. This may mean they need extra support, or for the education to be delivered in a different way, to help them achieve their potential. Timely recognition and response are key to maintaining access to education.

You can find out more about AP by reading the statutory guidance on the Government website:

Purpose of Alternative Provision

AP is one of several approaches that can support children in re-engaging with education. When accessing AP most children remain on the roll of their school. Re-engagement could mean returning to school or moving on to a suitable post-16 pathway.

AP may be required for children of statutory school age (with or without an Education, Health and Care Plan). For early years and post-16 learners, AP may be provided if they have an EHCP and their needs require it. 

Decisions about AP are made by the school and / or the Local Authority council as the ‘responsible body’. There are opportunities for parents / carers and, where appropriate, the child or young person to contribute towards planning and reviews. Families can participate through processes such as:

These forums allow parents to raise concerns, suggest adjustments, and help shape their child's support.

While parents / carers are encouraged to share their views, AP is not a service that can be directly requested / demanded by families. The decision to arrange AP rests with the school or the Council. It is based on assessed need and in-line with statutory duties.

Types of Alternative Provision

AP can be delivered in different types of settings, which fall into two categories:

Non-School Alternative Provision (Department for Education registered providers)

Some providers must register as independent schools. This is a legal requirement if they offer full-time education to:

These providers must meet the Independent School Standards. They are inspected by Ofsted or another regulatory body. This helps ensure that are safe, well-managed, and provide a good quality of education.

In short, registered providers are legally recognised as schools. This means they must follow strict rules to support children’s learning and wellbeing.

A provider is not required to register as an independent school if they offer

Non-School Alternative Provision

These settings are not schools or college and do not need to register. They may include:

Some of these providers offer a tailored approached that may not be available in mainstream settings. They may specialise in supporting neurodivergent children or those with complex communication needs.

Unregistered providers are often used for:

Because they are not registered school, they are not inspected by Ofsted in the same way. However, they can still offer high-quality, safe, and supportive education.

It is the responsibility of the school or Local Authority arranging the AP to ensure sure the setting is:

This is regardless of whether the provider is or is not registered. It includes:

If you are using a Personal Budget to arrange AP yourself, you are responsible for checking the provider is suitable and safe.

Alternative Provision in East Sussex

The AP directory (on 1Space) in East Sussex provides information for schools when considering AP for their pupils. The providers listed have met our minimum standards on safety and legality of operation. However, schools are still required to carry out their own quality assurance and safeguarding checks.

Parents / carers are asked not to contact providers to discuss a placement. The school is the commissioner of any alternative provision placement. Access to AP is very limited due to funding constraints, and placements are not guaranteed. If you have concerns about your child’s current education, it’s important to:

Before any AP placement is considered, the school must complete a risk assessment. This is to ensure the provision is safe and effective for your child’s needs. Individual schools make funding decisions. The AP is usually available for a limited time only, with the aim of reintegrating your child back into school. Parents are encouraged to work together with school staff to explore all available options.

To see alternative provisions in East Sussex, please visit the directory on 1Space:

Additional Help and Support

Amaze SENDIASS

Amaze SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) are a local charity. They offer free, independent, and impartial advice for all matters relating to SEND. Contact Amaze SENDIASS by:

Visit the Amaze SENDIASS web page.

East Sussex Local Offer directory of services

You can visit our SEND-specific online directory, hosted on East Sussex 1Space. The directory lists many different services both throughout the county and online. Services cover many topics, including:

Visit the East Sussex Local Offer directory.

Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms

We explain some of the terms used on this website on our page, Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms.

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