Provision of Alternative Learning Catalogue 2021
We are aware that at times Gloucestershire schools will need to place students in alternative provision to access short-term provision that better meets their needs. Gloucestershire County Council would remind schools that ideally provision used is Ofsted registered.
Alternative provision catalogue
This prospectus outlines unregistered provision that is available within the county. It is the responsibility of each school to quality assure the provision at regular intervals. The Ofsted framework is clear that, as part of an inspection, it is likely to contact external provisions that your school may use.
Where a school places a student with an unregistered provider, there are additional responsibilities schools should be aware of if placements are deemed full-time.
‘Full-time’ is not defined in law but it is suggested a child should be placed in such a provision for no more than 15 hours with 18 hours as the maximum limit.
An unregistered setting is deemed to be an independent school if it is providing full time education to five or more children and/or to one or more students with an EHCP or who are Looked After.
School leaders are reminded that if a school places a child full-time in an unregistered independent school, this is an illegal provision.
Further details can be found on the unregistered schools handbook. If you are concerned about a provision you are using, please contact one of the people below in the inclusion service for further advice:
- Andrea.jordan@gloucestershire.gov.uk - tel: 01452 328199
- Sian.edwards@gloucestershire.gov.uk - tel: 01452 427212
- Victoria.burt@gloucestershire.gov.uk - tel: 01452 328767