The role of Alternative Provision is to provide children and young people with another education setting that may suit their current needs, that provides:

• Early and short-term intervention to support pupils in their school or in placements between schools and AP;
• Education in the local community;
• Pupil centred interventions to ensure engagement in a curriculum that is appropriate and includes core subjects;
• Flexible support, according to need and which considers the whole child within their family context;
• Opportunities for pupils to develop positive relationships, build resilience and emotional wellbeing;
• Range of approaches, strategies, and skills to enable pupils to reintegrate into mainstream school as soon as possible.

Alternative Provision is for children and young people who are:

• Vulnerable to permanent exclusion.
• Permanently excluded and need an education setting until the pupil is placed in a new school or setting.
• In need of targeted and specific in/outreach support and early intervention.
• Struggling to have their needs met in the current setting and the AP can temporarily meet the needs while other provision is being sourced.

In order to complete this referral, you will need:

• Evidence of parent/carer consent. 
• The voice of the child or young person and parent/carer.
• Supporting documentation on assessments and/or interventions and their impact.
• Current risk assessment(s).
• A named designated Professional Lead and their contact details. This individual will be responsible for the referral and monitoring progress throughout the placement.

If you have any queries or questions about this referral form, please contact [email protected].

Alternative Provision Strategy 2026–2030

This Alternative Provision Strategy 2026–2030 sets out Suffolk’s commitment to ensuring that every child and young person can access the right support, in the right place, at the right time. It provides a clear, evidence-informed framework for strengthening early intervention, improving inclusion, and delivering high-quality, needs-led provision across all tiers of the Alternative Provision system. Developed in partnership with schools and wider stakeholders the Strategy outlines how Suffolk will build a coherent, sustainable, and ambitious approach to Alternative Provision—one that prioritises early support, promotes reintegration wherever possible, and enables all children and young people to thrive, learn, and achieve positive futures.

Read the SCC AP Strategy 2026 – 2030.

Referral forms

Alternative Provision Referral Form
Consent Form
Risk Assessment