What is alternative provision?
What is alternative provision?
In its Arranging Alternative Provision guidance (Arranging Alternative Provision - guide for LAs and schools), the Department for Education (DfE) defines alternative provision 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.
It goes on to say that:
All children, regardless of circumstance or setting, should expect to receive a good education. Commissioners responsible for arranging alternative provision should ensure that it is good quality, registered where appropriate, and delivered by high quality staff with suitable training, experience and safeguarding checks.
Alternative provision must be suitable to the child’s age, ability and aptitude, and any SEN they have.
Placements into alternative provision should always be made with the child’s reintegration back into mainstream education or move onto a sustained post[1]16 destination in mind.
Where a child has an EHC plan, the local authority will usually name an educational institution for them to attend. It is not common practice, but local authorities can name an alternative provision on an EHC plan. However, alternative provision should not be used as a substitute for special school provision simply because there is insufficient capacity in local SEN provision.
Provision should also support the child to overcome their individual barriers to attainment and achievement, giving equal consideration to their pastoral needs, and enabling them to thrive and prosper in the education system.
Provision should address a child’s physical or mental health needs as well as personal, social and emotional needs, alongside their educational needs. For example, ensuring that the child feels like they belong to their home school community, and are able to stay in contact with classmates, and where reasonably practicable have access to the same opportunities enjoyed by their peers.
The DfE’s guidance relates to local authorities’ statutory duties under section 19 of the Education Act 1996. S.19(1) states that local authorities must arrange suitable and (normally) full-time education for children of compulsory school age who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not receive suitable education without such provision being arranged. This duty is referred to as ‘the s.19 duty’ throughout this guidance.
You can download Wigan Council’s Section 19 Policy below.
