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Independent review commissioned by DfE examining who gets excluded, why, and what happens to them in AP. Landmark document with 30 recommendations covering accountability, quality and off-rolling.

Now closed. A DfE consultation seeking views on proposals to improve quality, safety and oversight of unregistered alternative provision in England. Key proposals include time-limiting placements, introducing mandatory national standards, establishing local authority-led quality assurance frameworks, and creating a national registration and inspection regime for providers delivering Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS) to children not on school admission registers. The consultation reinforces the principle that alternative provision should function as a targeted intervention, not a long-term destination, for vulnerable pupils.

A government consultation document setting out the case for wholesale reform of England's SEND and alternative provision system. It identifies three core challenges: poor outcomes for children and young people with SEND, negative experiences navigating the system, and financial unsustainability despite rising investment. The Review proposes breaking a "vicious cycle" of late intervention through national SEND standards, reformed EHC plan processes, strengthened local partnerships, a more integrated role for alternative provision, and clearer accountability — aiming to build a consistent, confident, and financially viable national system.

The government's statutory improvement plan setting out its vision for reforming the SEND and Alternative Provision system in England. Organised around National Standards, workforce development, accountability, and financial sustainability, it aims to ensure children and young people receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

A parliamentary research briefing examining the sharp post-pandemic rise in school suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. It presents key exclusion statistics, identifies the most at-risk pupil groups — including those with SEND, FSM eligibility and complex needs — and summarises recent research and government policy responses.

A parliamentary research briefing examining post-pandemic school absence trends in England. It covers statutory guidance, national absence data, the attainment impact of persistent absence, and government policy responses — providing MPs and education stakeholders with an authoritative, evidence-based overview of the attendance crisis.

DfE published a consultation on strengthening protections in non-school alternative provision. It asked for feedback on the government’s proposals to introduce: <ol> <li><span style="font-size: 1rem;">time-limits on the duration of placements in non-school alternative provision settings</span></li> <li>a strengthened role for local authorities in the quality assurance of non-school alternative provision</li> <li>new national standards that would be applicable to all types of non-school alternative provision</li> </ol>

This handbook sets out Ofsted’s policies and procedures for carrying out inspections under section 97 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 (the 2008 Act) and investigating criminal offences under section 96 of the 2008 Act.  It should be used with the Department for Education (DfE)’s ‘Policy statement: prosecuting unregistered independent schools’.

This blog looks at the way Ofsted inspects education in schools and the further education and skills sector specifically within AP.  Alternative provider (AP) settings provide education for pupils with complex needs that can’t typically be met in mainstream schools. APs rightly differ from mainstream schools – they serve different purposes and have different objectives. When we inspect an AP, we know that we will see different curriculum approaches that reflect the specific needs of the pupils. And we know that we may see some very challenging behaviour.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have jointly published a new framework and handbook for inspecting arrangements in the local area for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). As part of the new area SEND inspection arrangements, Ofsted and CQC will carry out a series of thematic visits each academic year.

Major 2024 thematic review finding significant concerns about quality, safeguarding, commissioning and lack of exit strategies in AP. Widely described as a damning assessment of the sector.

This publication provides non-statutory guidance from the Department for Education. It has been produced to help proprietors of independent schools and others understand the way in which the Department for Education carries out its role of regulating independent schools in England.