The Solihull Single Panel for local authority commissioned alternative interventions and provisions

Alternative Provision (AP) creates additional places for mainstream school leaders and staff to address challenging behaviour earlier and re-engage pupils in education. The national expectation is that AP is an intervention rather than a long-term destination and should be used by schools for short-term placements with a view to re-integrating pupils as soon as possible.

The national expectation is that schools use alternative provisions as interventions rather than as long-term destinations. 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 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 an alternative intervention or 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

If the panel recommends an intervention or provision, 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

Referrals for the Single Panel need to be submitted by midday on the Thursday before the panel meeting. Numbers for each panel are capped at 15. Panel meetings take place on Thursdays from 1.00pm to 4.00pm and do not take place during the school holidays.

Panel dates

Deadline for submission (midday)

Date of Panel                                        

2024-25 academic year
3 July10 July
2025-26 academic year
18 September25 September
2 October9 October
16 October23 October
6 November13 November
20 November27 November
4 December11 December
18 December8 January
15 January22 January
29 January5 February
12 February26 February
5 March12 March
19 March26 March
16 April23 April
30 April7 May
14 May21 May
4 June11 June
18 June25 June

AP Pathways in Solihull

You can view the AP Pathways we have commissioned for Solihull.