Alternative provision

Alternative provision is a place where children and young people can go to learn, when they are finding it hard to go to their school. 

Watch our short video that tells you more about alterative provisions:

This is extra money that schools can apply for. It an be used to help pay for a short time in AP and to give the child / young person extra help when they are in school.  The aim is to help the child return to their normal class, as soon as they are ready.

• If a child is at risk of exclusion, or finding going to school hard, teachers and the SENDCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) can suggest it.
• The school fills in a top-up funding form and gives it to the Alternative Provision panel.

Schools can spend it on things like:

• A small group or 1:1 lessons off-site (at another school or place to learn).
• Work activities, support with feelings and to help with behaviour.
• Usually, it supports a short time away from class, to help the child feel better and then come back to school.

We check how children and young people are getting on after 13 and 26 weeks.

Not exactly. This funding is short-term help to get back into school. An EHCP is ongoing, long-term support for children with more complex needs.

• Ask the school SENDCo or your child’s class teacher to explain more about it.