Alternative Provision (AP) creates extra places for mainstream school leaders and staff to address challenging behaviour earlier and re-engage pupils in education.
The national expectation is that schools use AP an intervention rather than a long-term destination. Placements should be short-term, with a view to re-integrating pupils as soon as possible.
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan explains what steps the the Government are taking to make sure more children and young people with SEND or in AP get the support they need.
What the Single Panel decides
Once a referral has been made, the Single Panel has two decisions to make:
1. is alternative provision required? and, if so
2. which of the following is the most appropriate intervention:
- Solihull Multi-Academy Trust main site and Daylesford Academy (excluding Saturn and Mercury)
- Refresh
- Triple Crown Centre
- The Elms
- Cedars
- High Needs Pathway
- AV1 robots
- Home tutoring
If the Panel recommends AP, they will decide, informed by the school referral, the expected outcomes of the intervention, and the review and monitoring arrangements.
Reviews should take place at least every 6-8 weeks, considering:
- the progress of the child towards the agreed outcomes
- any changes required to reflect changing circumstances
- what’s required to ensure the child succeeds in returning to mainstream education or other appropriate educational setting as soon as they are able
Once the Panel makes a decision, schools are responsible for liaising with alternative provisions and parents.
Referrals for the Single Panel need to be submitted by 12 midday on the Thursday before the panel meeting. Panel meetings take place on Thursdays from 1.00pm to 4.00pm and do not take place during the school holidays.
Panel dates
The dates for 2024-25 are as follows:
| Deadline for submission (midday) | Date of Panel |
|---|---|
| 12 September | 19 September |
| 26 September | 3 October |
| 10 October | 17 October |
| 7 November | 14 November |
| 21 November | 28 November |
| 5 December | 12 December |
| 2 January | 9 January |
| 16 January | 23 January |
| 30 January | 6 February |
| 27 January | 6 March |
| 13 March | 20 March |
| 27 March | 3 April |
| 24 April | 1 May |
| 8 May | 15 May |
| 5 June | 12 June |
| 19 June | 26 June |
| 3 July | 10 July |
AP Pathways in Solihull
You can view the AP Pathways we have commissioned for Solihull.