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Alternative Provision

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Overview

When your child is unable to attend school for an extended period, it can be a difficult and uncertain time. This may be due to:

This page explains the support that may be available through Alternative Provision (AP). AP ensures children with long-term barriers to attendance can continue learning in a way that meets their needs.

AP is typically a short-term arrangement for school-age children. It may also apply to early years and post-16 learners with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Its goal is to help children overcome barriers to learning and return, full-time to a suitable educational setting.

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

What is Alternative Provision (AP)

AP is education arranged for children of statutory school age (5 to 16 years) 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)

AP is one of several approaches that can support children to re-engage 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 pathway.

Progress is reviewed regularly and outcomes can include:

AP may be required for children of statutory school age (with or without an EHCP).

Arranging Alternative Provision (AP)

If your child cannot attend school due to medical needs, emotional challenges, or other reasons, they may need AP to be arranged for a period of time. Before this happens, their school are expected to make reasonable adjustments. This will be through Universally Available Provision such as changes to the:

If those adjustments are not enough, AP may be considered. Responsibility for arranging and funding AP depends on your child’s situation.

Who is Responsible for Alternative Provision (AP)

When the school is responsible 

If your child is still on the roll of a school (meaning they are officially registered as a pupil there), the school is responsible for arranging and funding AP. This may apply if:

If your child has an EHCP the school remains responsible for supporting them on the days they are not attending AP. If they are receiving SEN Support (but don’t have an EHCP), the school arranges AP with involvement from the SENCo.

When the council is responsible

East Sussex County Council will make suitable arrangements for children not on the roll of a school, in discussion with parent / carers.

If your child has an EHCP and is not on the roll of a school, parent / carers should contact Assessment and Planning (A&P). This will begin with an initial discussion about their child’s needs.

If your child has been permanently excluded from their school, the Inclusion and Alternative Provision team will get in touch with you. This will take place once we have received the notification from the school. This team will explain the next steps to parent and carers and support the family through this process.

Types of Alternative Provision (AP)

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

Department for Education (DfE) Registered Providers

Some providers (schools, colleges, and some online providers) are registered with the DfE to deliver education for children and young people. These providers are inspected by Ofsted. Providers must register as independent schools 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. This means they must follow strict rules to support children’s learning and wellbeing.

Some online providers of education are registered with the (DfE) online accreditation scheme. This aims to reassure children, parents and local authorities of the quality of education and safeguarding arrangements offered by online providers of full-time education.

The online accreditation scheme is open to providers that:

Non-School Alternative Provision

Many settings do not need to register with the DfE, as they do not meet the required thresholds of operating as independent schools, or as accredited online providers. 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.

Because they are not registered with the DfE, 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 (AP) 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 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.

You can view the AP listings on East Sussex 1Space.

Additional Help and Support

If you’re concerned that your child’s needs aren’t being fully recognised, there are several ways to seek help. This includes concerns around attendance, access to education, or reasonable adjustments.

You should start with your child’s school. In the first instance, speak to the:

Schools are expected to work with families and make reasonable adjustments before considering AP.

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.

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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