Alternative provision
Alternative provision is for pupils who would not otherwise receive a suitable education.
This may be due to:
- exclusion, illness or behaviour
- the pupil is unable to access full-time mainstream education
- a full-time mainstream offer is not suitable
The local authority or the school can commission alternative provision for pupils.
Schools remain responsible for safeguarding of a pupil in alternative provision.
Alternative Provision Strategic Plan
The Alternative Provision Strategic Plan [1.3 MB] [docx]sets out our ambition for children who need to access alternative provision and will be used to ensure alternative provision in East Sussex delivers positive educational and progression outcomes for young people. It will also ensure that the significant resources the local authority and educational settings commit to alternative provision are joined up across the system and that children and young people get the right support at the right time.
How to commission alternative provision
Find a suitable provider
To find providers, we recommend that schools use the:
Alternative provision directory | East Sussex 1Space
The Alternative Provision Directory Policy sets out how the Directory should be used. It explains the responsibilities relating to the commissioning of alternative provision places listed on the Directory, and the quality assurance framework that supports the Directory.
All the providers listed meet East Sussex County Council’s specification.
The Council carries out annual reviews on providers listed on the Directory to ensure they continue to meet expected standards on safeguarding and legality of operation. Prior to commissioning a provider, schools should complete their own quality assurance, as they have a duty to ensure that any alternative provision they commission is of high quality and that pupils are safe as described in Keeping Children Safe in Education.
The directory lists Ofsted registered providers. It also includes those not inspected by Ofsted, such as tutors and online learning providers.
Raising a concern about a provider
Immediately email APCommissioning@eastsussex.gov.uk if there are any concerns about:
- safeguarding
- health and safety
- quality of teaching and learning
Please see the concerns and complaint procedure. [70.6 KB] [docx]
How providers join the directory
A provider who wants to join the directory should contact the Alternative Provision Commissioning Team:
