Alternative Provision

The Council as the Local Authority is responsible for arranging suitable education for permanently excluded pupils and for other pupils who, because of illness or other reasons, would not receive suitable education without such an arrangement being made. This applies to:

• all children of compulsory school age (up to 16 years old)
• children who are resident in Buckinghamshire
• whether they are on roll at a school or another educational provider

The Council must also have oversight of the alternative provision for all children and young people in placements that are directly commissioned by the Council.

Full-time education for excluded pupils must:

• begin no later than the sixth day of the exclusion
• pupils in alternative provision should receive the same amount of education as they would receive in a maintained school. This is between 18 and 25 hours per week.
• Full-time can be made up of two or more part-time provisions.

Governing bodies of maintained schools have the power to direct a pupil off-site for education. This can help to improve their behaviour. They are responsible for arranging suitable full-time education from the sixth day of a permanent exclusion or suspension.

Responsibility for alternative provision used rests with the commissioner. Where schools arrange alternative provision they are the commissioner.

Progress against objectives should be frequently monitored, appropriate reviews should be built in and continuity into the next stage in the child’s life should be considered. Where reintegration to the school is an objective, there should be agreement on how to assess when the pupil is ready to return and the school should provide an appropriate package of support to assist their reintegration.