Policy Statement

The London Borough of Waltham Forest is committed to ensuring that every child receives suitable, high-quality education in the most appropriate setting to meet their individual needs. Mainstream education remains the preferred outcome wherever this is appropriate and compatible with meeting those needs.

Where a child's needs cannot be met successfully through inclusive practice, Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP), reasonable adjustments and targeted intervention within a mainstream school, attendance at Alternative Provision may be considered through the Council's Inclusion Panel as part of the borough's graduated approach to inclusion.

Alternative Provision should be a planned, purposeful and regularly reviewed intervention that supports children to make progress academically, socially and emotionally, while preparing them, wherever appropriate, for successful reintegration into mainstream education.

Purpose

This section explains the role of Alternative Provision within Waltham Forest's graduated approach to inclusion. It describes the purpose of Alternative Provision, the governance arrangements for determining attendance, and the relationship between Alternative Provision and the Fair Access Protocol.

Scope of this Section

This section covers:

• the purpose of Alternative Provision;
• the Council's graduated approach to inclusion;
• governance arrangements for attendance at Alternative Provision;
• monitoring and review; and
• planning for reintegration into mainstream education. 

This section does not cover:

• Fair Access Panel decisions regarding mainstream placements;
• the commissioning or operational management of Alternative Provision;
• statutory exclusion procedures; or
• the detailed operational arrangements contained within the Council's Inclusion Framework. 

Statutory Context

Alternative Provision forms part of the Council's wider arrangements for ensuring that children receive suitable education where mainstream provision is not currently the most appropriate means of meeting their needs.

The Council will exercise its statutory responsibilities in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance while maintaining a strong commitment to inclusion, educational progress and positive outcomes for children.

Waltham Forest's Graduated Approach

The Council will normally expect consideration to be given to:

• high-quality inclusive practice;
• Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP);
• reasonable adjustments;
• targeted intervention;
• multi-agency support; and
• enhanced inclusion strategies, 

before attendance at Alternative Provision is considered, unless the child's circumstances require a more immediate intervention.

Attendance at Alternative Provision should always be based upon an assessment of the child's individual needs and the professional judgement of those involved.

Purpose of Alternative Provision

Alternative Provision is intended to:

• provide appropriate education where mainstream provision is not currently the most suitable option;
• address identified barriers to learning and engagement;
• support improvements in attendance, behaviour and wellbeing;
• provide targeted intervention;
• promote educational progress; and
• prepare children, wherever appropriate, for successful reintegration into mainstream education. 

Alternative Provision should not be regarded as a long-term destination where a return to mainstream education remains appropriate and achievable.

Governance Arrangements

Monitoring and Review

Attendance at Alternative Provision should be reviewed regularly to ensure that:

• the provision remains appropriate;
• educational progress is being made;
• attendance and engagement are improving;
• support remains proportionate to need;
• longer-term educational planning is progressing; and
• opportunities for reintegration are identified at the earliest appropriate opportunity. 

Reviews should involve the child, parents or carers, the Alternative Provision setting, the referring school and relevant professionals.

Planning for Reintegration

Planning for reintegration should begin from the point attendance at Alternative Provision is agreed, wherever reintegration to mainstream education is considered an appropriate long-term outcome.

Reintegration planning should:

• identify clear educational objectives;
• consider the support required for successful transition;
• involve the child and parents or carers;
• include relevant professionals and receiving schools where appropriate; and
• be reviewed regularly throughout the period of attendance. 

Where a new mainstream school placement is required, consideration may subsequently be given to referral through the Fair Access Protocol in accordance with Sections 12 and 13 of this Protocol.

Expected Outcomes of Alternative Provision

Attendance at Alternative Provision should be supported by clear, measurable objectives that are regularly reviewed.

Wherever appropriate, the intended outcomes should include one or more of the following:

• improved engagement with education;
• improved attendance and participation;
• improved emotional wellbeing and resilience;
• improved behaviour, self-regulation and readiness to learn;
• progress against agreed educational and personal development objectives;
• successful participation in targeted interventions;
• increased readiness for reintegration into mainstream education, where appropriate; and
• improved long-term educational, social and emotional outcomes. 

Progress against these outcomes should inform review meetings and future educational planning.

Attendance at Alternative Provision should be viewed as part of a planned educational pathway, with clear objectives, regular review and a focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for the child, rather than as a destination in itself. 

Figure 11.1 — Alternative Provision Within the Inclusion Continuum

Mainstream Education
↓
Inclusive Practice
↓
Ordinarily Available Provision
↓
Targeted Intervention
↓
Inclusion Panel
↓
Attendance at Alternative Provision
↓
Regular Review
↓
Reintegration Planning
↓
Section 12 — Reintegration from Alternative Provision

Key Practice Points

• Alternative Provision is a planned educational intervention.
• Mainstream education remains the preferred outcome wherever appropriate.
• Attendance at Alternative Provision should be regularly reviewed.
• Reintegration planning should begin from the outset.
• The Inclusion Panel determines attendance at Alternative Provision.
• The Fair Access Panel becomes involved only where a new mainstream placement is subsequently required under the Fair Access Protocol. 

Governance Note

This section should be read alongside:

• Section 2 — Council's Key Principles;
• Section 7 — Children with Challenging Behaviour;
• Section 10 — Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions;
• Section 12 — Reintegration from Alternative Provision;
• Section 13 — Allocation of Mainstream Places; and
• Section 19 — Fair Access Panel Governance and Terms of Reference.