Agenda item

This report provides an update on the Local Authority’s work to improve the quality, consistency, and oversight of Alternative Provision (AP) for children and young people who are unable to access mainstream education.

In response to national policy direction and local priorities, the Council is developing a three-tier model of AP that promotes early intervention, targeted support, and specialist provision. The model is designed to reduce exclusions, improve outcomes, and ensure that AP is used as a short-term, purposeful intervention rather than a long-term destination.

The report outlines the rationale for change, the options considered, and the preferred approach. It also sets out the implications of the proposed model in relation to sustainability, public health, legal compliance, workforce development, and commissioning. The report is presented for information only and provides an overview of progress to date and the next steps in implementation.

The Director of Education and Skills presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report provided an update on the Local Authority’s work to improve the quality, consistency, and oversight of Alternative Provision (AP) for children and young people who were unable to access mainstream education.

In response to national policy direction and local priorities, the Council was developing a three-tier model of AP that promoted early intervention, targeted support, and specialist provision. The model was designed to reduce exclusions, improve outcomes, and ensure that AP was used as a short-term, purposeful intervention rather than a long-term destination.

The report outlined the rationale for change, the options considered, and the preferred approach. It also set out the implications of the proposed model in relation to sustainability, public health, legal compliance, workforce development, and commissioning. The report was presented for information only and provided an overview of progress to date and the next steps in implementation.

The Committee discussed the report, including:

• A member queried the spike in AP placements in Years 7–11 and was informed that this reflected curriculum challenges, mental health issues, and delays in accessing specialist placements.
• Concerns were raised about younger learners in AP and the nature of their provision, which the Committee was advised included therapeutic packages and tutoring.
• Questions were asked about unregistered AP providers, with officers confirming that a new Dorset-wide quality assurance framework was being launched to ensure consistency and oversight.
• The Committee was informed that a multi-agency AP panel had been established to assess individual placements and monitor value for money.
• Tracking of individual children in AP had improved through the use of Welfare Call system and dedicated teams within the SEND service.
• A member raised concerns about attendance rates in AP, which stood at 50% for registered providers, and officers explained the rationale for using Welfare Call to monitor attendance.
• Clarification was provided on the composition of the AP panel and AP working group, which included schools, health, colleges, and parent carer forums.
• The Committee discussed the routes into AP, including exclusions and EHCPs, and officers agreed to provide further data on this breakdown. ACTION.
• It was noted that 81% of children in AP had EHCPs, which was not unusual nationally, but the overall number of children in AP was high.
• Questions were raised about the safeguarding and quality audit for AP providers, with officers confirming it was reported to the Education Quality and Performance Board.
• The Committee discussed the implementation of a three-tier AP model and the collaboration required across schools, the local authority, and health partners.
• Officers described engagement with headteachers, trust CEOs, and external trusts to support the AP model and reduce costs.
• The Committee asked about monitoring and quality assurance processes for AP placements, including visits and feedback from children and families.
• It was confirmed that the children’s rights and engagement team would be involved in developing these processes.

RECOMMENDED that the Committee support:

a.    the progress made in developing a three-tier model of AP in line with national guidance and local strategic priorities.

b.    the preferred model and the rationale for its selection, as set out in the options appraisal.

c.     the next steps in implementation, including further stakeholder engagement, development of service specifications, and alignment with wider SEND and inclusion reforms.

Voting: Nem. Con