Information about Alternative Provision in Brighton & Hove.
Alternative Provision can be a successful education option for pupils who need support to increase educational engagement. It can also help pupils gain confidence in themselves and their abilities.
The Department for Education defines Alternative Provision as follows:
“Education arranged by local authorities for children of compulsory school age who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; alternative provision can also be used by schools for children on a suspension (fixed period exclusion); and for children being directed by schools to off-site provision to receive education intended to improve their behaviour.”
Alternative Provision is an intervention, not a destination. Placements into alternative provision must be made with consideration for the child’s reintegration back into mainstream education or move onto a sustained post-16 destination.
Schools are responsible for arranging suitable full-time education from the sixth (or earlier) school day of a suspension for any child of compulsory school age. Schools may also direct children off-site for education to help improve their behaviour.
Alternative Provision packages are designed to meet individual needs and can take place in a range of off-site settings, such as vocational training centres, therapeutic environments, farm schools, or tutoring hubs. These settings offer targeted interventions that support a child’s learning, wellbeing, and personal development.
Alternative provision settings may also deliver outreach support within mainstream schools through targeted interventions to improve children’s behaviour, engagement with learning or attendance, and to reduce preventable exclusions.
Alternative Provision providers may be registered or unregistered.
Registered providers are institutions that are officially recognised and regulated by Ofsted, such as Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), academies, independent schools, and hospital schools. These providers must meet specific standards and are subject to inspections.
Unregistered alternative provision providers are not part of a national registration scheme or Ofsted inspection framework. They include diverse settings like tutoring companies, farm schools, vocational training courses, and therapeutic support services. While they can offer flexible and bespoke education for vulnerable children, their use requires careful oversight to ensure quality and safety.
The Local Authority is responsible for ensuring that Alternative Provision (AP) is of high quality, appropriately registered where required, and delivered by well-trained and experienced staff who have undergone suitable safeguarding checks. Go to The Government's website to find out more.
Good commissioning practice involves identifying the most effective arrangements for Alternative Provision in the area and ensuring providers offer a diverse and high-quality curriculum tailored to meet students' needs. To support these practices, Brighton & Hove City Council has established a centralised quality assurance framework. This framework must be completed by providers who wish to be listed on the Alternative Provision (AP) Directory.
The AP Directory is a comprehensive list of quality-assured local providers (and those who are in the process of completing the quality assurance framework), including registered and unregistered alternative provisions. Providers are assessed against clear, locally defined standards covering safeguarding, health and safety, quality of accommodation, and the education offered. This framework enables unregistered providers to demonstrate compliance with these standards, ensuring their services can be safely and effectively used by schools and the local authority.
The purpose of the directory is to ensure schools in our city have access to diverse and high-quality Alternative Provision (AP) providers who offer:
View the Brighton & Hove City Council AP Directory.
Contact the AP Commissioner, Katie Rowe to discuss: