How are Alternative Provision placements arranged? Who can apply?

A directory shows you what exists. It does not mean you can apply to everything in it. Different kinds of provision are arranged in different ways, and the route into a place is often decided by who is paying for it.

The Department for Education's alternative provision guidance describes two main arrangers. Local authorities arrange education for pupils who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education. Schools also arrange education away from the school site, for example for a pupil who is suspended or whose behaviour needs support. So in many cases the school or the local authority makes the arrangement, not the parent.

In practice that gives four broad routes:

• The school arranges (commissions) a place for a pupil on its roll.
• The local authority arranges a place, for example after a permanent exclusion or where a child cannot attend because of illness.
• The local authority arranges and funds provision as part of a child's Education, Health and Care Plan.
• A family arranges and pays for provision itself, where a provider accepts direct enquiries.

Which of these applies to a particular provider is something only the provider can confirm. Some work only when a school or local authority commissions them. Some also work with families directly. Some do both. Provider type alone does not tell you: a provider of a given type may or may not take direct enquiries.

How to read "how placements are arranged" on ap directory

On each provider page we show who the provider has said it accepts referrals or enquiries from, but only where there is evidence. The line tells you whether that came from the provider itself or from the provider's own website. If we have no evidence, the page says "Not yet confirmed" and does not guess. We do not assume a route from the type of provider.

What to do next

If you are a parent, your child's school or your local authority is usually the right first conversation, because they arrange or fund most placements. Ask them what options they can arrange, and whether a provider you have found could be considered. If you are looking at independent or online provision for your own family, contact the provider directly and ask the questions in our checklist. Use the contact options on the provider page. AP Directory does not take enquiries on providers' behalf.

This guide is general information. It is not advice about your child's circumstances. Your local authority, and your local SENDIASS service for SEND questions, can explain the options that apply to you.