According to the DfE publication Alternative Education, Statutory guidance for local authorities, the definition of alternative provision is:

• education arranged by local authorities for pupils who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would otherwise receive suitable education
• education arranged by schools for pupils on fixed period exclusion
• pupils being directed by schools to off-site provision to improve their behaviour

When a student is at risk of permanent exclusion or would benefit from support outside of the school setting, schools can commission alternative provision to try to prevent exclusions, or to re-engage students in their education. 

The LBBD Alternative Provision Framework supports schools to carefully consider which providers can meet the needs of their students, including the quality and safety of the provision, costs and value for money.

Effective Alternative Provision (AP):

• identifies and meets the specific personal, social and academic needs of students in order to help them to overcome any barriers to attainment
• improves student motivation and self-confidence, attendance and engagement with education
• provides clearly defined objectives, including the next steps following the placement such as reintegration into mainstream education, further education, training or employment (DfE 2013).

The LBBD AP Compliance process aims to provide rigorous quality assurance to ensure that the various Alternative Provisions are achieving their objectives and that students are making progress and benefiting. In this way, we aim to sustain equality and equity for all students.