School is the best place for most children to learn, but for some children, an education outside of school can be the most appropriate option.

Education outside of school, when it is arranged by LAs or schools, is called alternative provision. It can range from pupil referral units (PRUs) and further education colleges to voluntary or private-sector projects.

'Alternative provision', 'alternative education' and 'alternative education provision' are all ways to describe provision for pupils outside mainstream and special school. This provision can include the following:

  • Provision directly managed by LAs.
  • Pupil referral units (PRUs): These are a type of school that are established and run by LAs specifically for pupils who cannot attend a mainstream or special school. All PRUs have a Teacher in Charge, similar to a mainstream school's headteacher, and a management committee, which acts like a school's governing body. From 1 February 2008, all PRUs must have a management committee that is established according to regulations and guidance.
  • LA provision run by their pupil referral services, such as hospital schools, hospital and home teaching services, tuition centres, e-learning centres, boarding schools and others: these are sometimes registered as PRUs in their own right.
  • Provision which is brokered or arranged by a LA, school or group of schools, such as placements in FE colleges, extended work experience, projects provided by the voluntary or private sector, or through multi-agency initiatives (such as the Youth Service).

The Department has produced guidance for LAs and schools on commissioning alternative provision, as well as more general guidance on all aspects of PRUs and alternative provision.

Alternative provision and Local Authorities (LAs)

Under section 19 of the Education Act 1996, LAs have a duty to provide suitable education for children of compulsory school age who cannot attend school - because of illness or exclusion, for example.

The law defines suitable education as 'efficient education suitable to the age, ability, aptitude and to any special educational needs (SEN)', the child (or young person) may have. LAs in consultation with parents must decide what is suitable education for each particular child, and have regard to the Department guidance and the efficient use of resources.

LAs cannot decide that they will not arrange any education for pupils out of school who are resident within their area. Although the type of arrangements will vary, depending on local circumstances and policies, there are minimum standards that all LAs are expected to meet. This is particularly important when making arrangements for pupils in vulnerable groups or for pupils whose previous family, social or educational experience has been difficult. This may mean taking additional steps to ensure that the individual needs of pupils are met or providing access to appropriate support services.

The LA's duty to provide suitable education may be met by contracting out education to the voluntary or private sector, including independent schools and work-based learning providers. However, the LA remains accountable for the quality of education. It should satisfy itself that the quality of provision is of a good standard and it should establish robust systems to monitor the arrangements. LAs also need to ensure that any outside body which they commission to provide education meets all required standards for health and safety, including appropriate Criminal Records Bureau checks for any staff that have contact with children.

Alternative provision and schools

Schools can arrange alternative provision for their pupils as part of their wider strategies for reducing exclusions. For pupils who are disengaged or disaffected, or otherwise at risk of exclusion, alternative provision can help improve motivation and address problems that could lead to them being excluded. This can include spending some time in a PRU, placements in FE colleges, vocational training or projects run by the voluntary or private sectors.

Just as with LAs, schools must ensure that any education which they commission from outside bodies is of high quality, and ensure that robust systems are in place for monitoring the provision. They must ensure that health and safety requirements are complied with, including that all staff working with children have appropriate criminal records bureau checks.