Quality assurance

There is a quality assurance process for alternative provision. This supports schools to secure high-quality provision for pupils.

Keeping children safe in education is everyone’s responsibility.

The quality assurance process

Providers apply to the Alternative Provision Commissioning Team.  

They complete a form and provide supporting certificates and policies.

The local authority quality assures the applications and policies. Successful providers appear in the Alternative provision directory | East Sussex 1Space.

Stage 1 – the application

The local authority compliance checks include:

  • details of the provider and main contact
  • registration with the Department for Education and Ofsted
  • description of curriculum offer (such as GCSEs and short courses)
  • financial and insurance checks
  • polices, process and risk assessments
  • safeguarding arrangements and Designated Safeguarding Lead contact
  • safer recruitment processes and single central record
  • equality and diversity or inclusive practice
  • health and safety arrangements and lead competent person

We discuss unsuccessful applications with the provider and advise them how to reapply. Successful applications progress to stage 2.

Stage 2 - Quality assurance

We visit the provider to complete a quality assurance visit and make these checks:

  • Compliance details supplied by the provider are correct.
  • Relevant insurance is in place.
  • Health and safety checks of the site or provision.
  • Safeguarding processes are in place.
  • Relevant policies and procedures are available for the visit.
  • Staff are available to discuss the curriculum offer and accreditation, where appropriate.
  • Where relevant, risk assessments are available for the visit.

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