Alternative provision is a category of education designed for pupils who are unable to attend a mainstream school — whether because of a fixed-term exclusion, a long-term health need, or a complex social situation. As a parent, knowing what alternative provision exists and how to access it can make a critical difference when your child's education is at risk.
What counts as alternative provision?
The term "alternative provision" (often abbreviated to AP) covers a wide range of educational settings and arrangements that sit outside the mainstream school system. The defining feature is that the pupil receives their education in a setting or format that is not the usual school timetable.
The law requires local authorities and schools to arrange suitable full-time (or part-time where full-time would be inappropriate) education for pupils who cannot attend school because of:
- A fixed-period or permanent exclusion
- A long-term medical condition or mental health need
- A criminal justice or care order
- Persistent non-attendance where medical or social factors are identified
- An exceptionally complex SEND profile that cannot be met in a mainstream school
A pupil who is simply absent without authorisation does not automatically qualify for alternative provision — the trigger is a formal decision by the school or local authority that mainstream attendance is not possible or appropriate.
What types of alternative provision exist?
The landscape of alternative provision is deliberately varied because the needs of pupils who cannot attend mainstream school are very different:
| Type | Description | Typical users |
|---|---|---|
| Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) | A maintained school specifically for pupils who cannot attend mainstream school | Excluded pupils; pupils with complex behavioural or emotional needs |
| Hospital school or home tuition | Teaching delivered in hospital or at home | Pupils with long-term medical conditions |
| Alternative provision free school or academy | An independently run alternative setting with academy status | Similar to PRU; often more specialised |
| Part-time college placement | GCSE or vocational courses at an FE college | Older pupils (Year 10–11) with a vocational focus |
| Therapeutic or specialist centre | Provision combining education with therapeutic support | Pupils with significant mental health or trauma needs |
| Independent alternative provision | Private or voluntary-sector providers commissioned by schools or the LA | Flexible; varies widely in quality and approach |
Many pupils in alternative provision are placed there by the school rather than choosing it — and the quality of provision varies significantly between local authorities and providers.
Why might a child be placed in alternative provision?
The most common reasons for alternative provision placements in secondary school are:
- Permanent exclusion — a child who has been permanently excluded from their school is the legal responsibility of the local authority, which must arrange appropriate education from the sixth day of exclusion onwards
- Fixed-term exclusion — the school must arrange education from the sixth day of any fixed-term exclusion lasting more than five consecutive days
- Medical need — a pupil with a physical or mental health condition that prevents attendance at school; the LA must arrange provision
- Direction off-site for behaviour intervention — some schools send pupils to an AP setting on a part-time basis while they remain on the school roll, as a managed move or intervention
- Awaiting a new school place — a pupil who has been permanently excluded and is waiting for a new mainstream school to be identified
Who is responsible for organising alternative provision?
Responsibility depends on the situation:
- For permanently excluded pupils — the local authority is responsible from day six of exclusion
- For pupils directed off-site while still on roll — the school retains responsibility and funds the placement from its own budget
- For medically absent pupils — the local authority has a duty to provide education after a specified period of absence (typically 15 days in most authorities, though this is not uniform)
Parents should receive written confirmation of who is responsible for their child's education and what provision has been arranged. If this information is not forthcoming, request it from the school in writing.
What rights do parents have when their child is in alternative provision?
Parents have several important rights:
- To be informed within one school day if a fixed-term exclusion is imposed, and again if it extends beyond five days
- To make representations to the school governors if a fixed-term exclusion exceeds five days, or against a permanent exclusion
- To receive a description of the alternative provision being arranged, including its name, address, and contact details
- To request an independent review panel if a permanent exclusion is upheld by the governing body
- To have any EHCP provision maintained in the AP setting — a pupil's EHCP does not stop being operative simply because they move to an AP placement
How is quality in alternative provision monitored?
The quality of AP settings varies widely and has been a focus of national concern. Ofsted inspects AP academies and PRUs under the Education Inspection Framework and publishes reports. However, many AP providers — particularly independent ones commissioned by schools — are not subject to Ofsted inspection in the same way.
Parents should ask to see any inspection reports for the proposed AP setting. For commissioned independent providers, ask the school or local authority what quality assurance checks they have carried out. A legitimate AP provider should be transparent about outcomes data, staffing qualifications, and any complaints or safeguarding history.
Frequently asked questions
How long does alternative provision typically last?
This depends entirely on the reason for the placement. Pupils excluded on a permanent basis may spend a term or more in a PRU before a new mainstream school is identified. Pupils with a short-term medical need might be in home tuition for a few weeks. There is no fixed duration — the aim is to return the pupil to mainstream education as quickly as their situation allows.
Can my child still sit GCSEs while in alternative provision?
Yes. AP settings are expected to prepare pupils for appropriate qualifications, and most PRUs and AP academies enter pupils for GCSEs or equivalent vocational qualifications. However, the subject range available in AP is often narrower than a mainstream school can offer. If your child has specific GCSE subject requirements for post-16 plans, raise this explicitly with the AP setting and the local authority.
What if I am unhappy with the alternative provision that has been arranged?
First, raise concerns directly with the AP setting and the school (if your child is still on roll). If you believe the provision is inadequate or unsafe, you can contact the local authority's SEN and Inclusion team, the Regional Director's office, or — for safeguarding concerns — the local authority's Designated Officer (LADO). If your child has an EHCP, the EHCP annual review process also provides a formal opportunity to challenge whether the provision is appropriate.
Does my child have to attend the alternative provision that has been arranged?
If a child is permanently excluded and the local authority has arranged AP from day six, attendance at that provision is expected and recorded in the same way as mainstream school attendance. Parents cannot simply decline AP that has been formally arranged. If the specific placement is unsuitable, challenge it through the proper channels rather than withdrawing your child, as unilateral non-attendance creates further complications for the child's educational record.
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