Unregulated alternative provision templates

This page aims to provide all schools and commissioners of unregulated alternative provision with the information required to ensure that pupils are placed safely and effectively.

These templates for unregulated alternative provision (AP) have been produced collaboratively with the local authority, school and unregulated alternative provision colleagues.

The aim in producing the templates is to:

Provide guidance to schools/commissioners who are unused to arranging off-site provision
Provide a consistent approach for AP providers and schools/commissioners
Ensure that appropriate checks are made relevant to statutory guidance
Ensure that schools/commissioners understand their responsibilities when commissioning unregulated alternative provision
As far as possible, ensure the safeguarding of all young people accessing unregulated alternative provision

The templates have all been created in Word documents so that they can be edited by schools, commissioners, or unregulated alternative provision settings as necessary. The documents have been numbered deliberately so that they are electronically stored in the order in which they should be used. All settings are responsible for ensuring that their own General Data Protection Regulation [GDPR] policies are followed if using these documents.

NOTE: Schools are reminded to check the Ofsted inspection handbook paragraphs relevant to alternative provision placements, as shared in the Norfolk County Council Unregulated Alternative Provision Directory 2024 (PDF, 4 MB), as needed in the relevant stages.

00 Model Policy for the Commissioning of Unregulated Alternative Provision (Word doc, 105 KB)

This Model Policy should be downloaded and tailored to each individual school. It contains the templates below as appendices. The templates can also be downloaded and adapted individually, by schools and/or unregulated alternative provision settings.

01 Pre-placement visit record: (Word doc, 105 KB)

This checklist is designed to be used pre-placement. New placements should not be agreed without an initial visit taking place. If a school seeks to place more than one young person at the same AP setting within the school year, only one pre-placement visit may be required. However, pre-placement checks are advised on at least an annual basis.

Schools/commissioners are responsible for carrying out their own checks and must ensure the safeguarding of all placements. Schools/commissioners may adapt the checklist to comply with internal policies if required.

Remember to check the Ofsted inspection handbook paragraphs relevant to alternative provision placements, per the directory link above.

02 Initial Referral and Admissions: (Word doc, 67 KB)

This form is divided into 2 parts. Section A is an initial referral form, to be sent to the Alternative Provision before any placement has been agreed. Section B should only be completed once a placement has been agreed. Section B also contains a Risk Assessment.

Where relevant, there are notes in italics to guide completion of the form. These can be deleted on completion.

Remember to check the Ofsted inspection handbook paragraphs relevant to alternative provision placements, per the directory link above.

03 Pre-placement baseline: (PDF, 74 KB)

This document provides links to potential baseline assessments for SEMH and or well-being.

As these are protected by copyright, the forms for these organisations have not been adapted. Schools and commissioners can access some of the assessments free of charge (though an initial registration may be required).

Schools and commissioners may already have an in-house system for measuring and tracking social and or emotional development; these can of course be used.

04 Learner Code of Conduct agreement: (Word doc, 44 KB)

This form should be completed prior to a placement starting. It can be adapted to suit the AP setting or school's or commissioner's own Behaviour Policy.

05 Alternative Provision Progress visit record: (Word doc, 46 KB)

Schools and commissioners should be carrying out visits to the young person(s) during the placement. On occasion, these should be unannounced.

Schools and commissioners may attach evidence to progress reports, eg, copies of certificates, photographs of work achieved etc. These may then contribute to an EHCP review or PEP, for example.

Remember to check the Ofsted inspection handbook paragraphs relevant to alternative provision placements, per the directory link above.

06 Mid or End of placement evaluation: (Word doc, 52 KB)

Schools and commissioners may use this form to carry out mid-placement and end-of-placement evaluations. Mid-placement evaluations may be completed during a progress visit (see "05 Alternative Provision Progress visit record").

07 Safer recruitment written confirmation template (Word doc, 70 KB)

This template can be used by school commissioners to seek written confirmation of safer recruitment checks from unregulated alternative providers that they (the provider) has, in line with the government guidance on keeping children safe in education, (paragraph 334) carried out appropriate checks on all staff and volunteers.