Referral conversation checklist
Preparing to talk to an alternative provision provider, a school or a local authority? Tick off the questions as you go, add notes, and print or save the checklist as a PDF to take to the meeting.
Alternative provision: referral conversation checklist
AP Directory · printed . Questions to ask — not legal advice and not an official referral form.
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Ticks and notes are saved only in this browser and are never sent to AP Directory. Please don’t write a child’s name, date of birth, diagnosis or other identifying details in the notes.
About the provision
Based on: Questions to ask an alternative provision provider · A SENCO's guide to commissioning Alternative Provision
Attendance and timetable
Based on: Questions to ask an alternative provision provider · A SENCO's guide to commissioning Alternative Provision
Safeguarding
A directory listing is not a safeguarding approval. Ask to see the documents.
Based on: Questions to ask an alternative provision provider · A SENCO's guide to commissioning Alternative Provision
Curriculum and qualifications
Based on: Questions to ask an alternative provision provider · A SENCO's guide to commissioning Alternative Provision · Exclusion and reintegration: what happens next
Accessibility and support
Based on: Questions to ask an alternative provision provider · What is Alternative Provision? A plain-English guide
Transport and travel
Based on: What is Alternative Provision? A plain-English guide
Communication
Based on: Questions to ask an alternative provision provider · A SENCO's guide to commissioning Alternative Provision
Fees and funding
Based on: Questions to ask an alternative provision provider · A SENCO's guide to commissioning Alternative Provision · How alternative provision placements are arranged
Review, reintegration and next steps
Based on: A SENCO's guide to commissioning Alternative Provision · Exclusion and reintegration: what happens next · Questions to ask an alternative provision provider
Before agreeing
Based on: Questions to ask an alternative provision provider · A parent's guide to finding the right provision
Prompts drawn from AP Directory’s guides, which reference the DfE statutory guidance: Alternative provision (GOV.UK). This checklist is not legal advice, not an official referral form and does not list statutory duties. Inclusion in AP Directory is not an endorsement or safeguarding approval.
Where these questions come from
The prompts are taken from our reviewed guides — especially questions to ask an alternative provision provider and a SENCO’s guide to commissioning AP. Choose “schools and professionals” to add due-diligence prompts for commissioners. For formal duties, read the DfE statutory guidance and ask your local authority.
Looking for providers? Try the guided search and keep a shortlist to compare listings.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this an official referral form?
- No. It is a list of questions to help you prepare. Referrals are made through the school, local authority or provider's own process.
- Does every question have to be answered before a placement?
- No. The checklist does not set out legal requirements. Some questions matter more in some situations; use the ones that help you, and ask your school or local authority about formal requirements.
- Where are my ticks and notes stored?
- Only in your own browser's local storage. Nothing is sent to AP Directory, and you can clear it with Reset. Avoid writing a child's name or identifying details in the notes.