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Alternative provision

Please use this link to apply for alternative provision. 

Apply for Alternative Provision

 

Alternative Provision is defined as:

'Education arranged by local authorities for children of compulsory school age who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; alternative provision can also be used by schools for children on a suspension (fixed period exclusion); and for children being directed by schools to offsite provision to receive education intended to improve their behaviour.'

(Arranging alternative provision: A guide for local authorities and schools, 2025)

You can read more about types of alternative provision on Southwak's Local Offer.

 

Applying for Alternative Provision

The Southwark Alternative Provision Panel considers requests for education support for children and young people of compulsory school age who are unable to access suitable full-time education because of exclusion, illness, or other exceptional circumstances.

The panel brings together professionals from education, health, and support services to consider whether the Local Authority has a duty to arrange alternative provision and whether any additional support may be required.

Before making a referral, please ensure that:

  • available support and reasonable adjustments have been explored
  • the views of the child or young person and their parent or carer have been considered
  • relevant evidence is provided to support the request

How we use the information you provide

We use the information submitted as part of an application to understand:

  • the barriers affecting the child or young person's access to education
  • what support has already been put in place
  • the impact on attendance, engagement, and learning
  • whether alternative provision is required under section 19 of the Education Act 1996
  • what additional support may help the child or young person access education

What we are not asking you to do

The panel will decide whether the child or young person meets the criteria for support through alternative provision. Referrers do not need to recommend a specific educational placement or type of provision.

 

Please use this link to submit a request for alternative provision. Apply for Alternative Provision

 

Provide health information about a child's school attendance

If you’re a health professional involved in the care of a child in Southwark whose health is affecting their school attendance, we may need your opinion to help us arrange suitable education for them.

Tell us how the child's health needs affect their access to education.  

How we use your answers

We use your answers to understand:

  • the child's health needs
  • how their health affects their attendance and learning
  • what support has already been considered
  • whether there are signs the child may be ready to return to school
  • whether the barriers to attendance are mainly about health, special educational needs or disability (SEND), the school environment, or a combination of these

Under section 19 of the Education Act 1996, we have a duty to arrange suitable education for children who cannot attend school because of illness, exclusion or other exceptional circumstances. Please ensure a copy of the form is sent to child’s school.

What we are not asking you to do

We decide whether a child is eligible for support under section 19. You do not need to recommend a particular type of alternative provision or an educational placement.

Alternative Provision s19 Panel Terms of Reference

The Alternative Provision s19 Panel Terms of Reference provide information about:

  • the purpose of the panel
  • referral criteria
  • the evidence required to support requests
  • how decisions are made
  • the roles and responsibilities of professionals involved in the process

The Terms of Reference are available in the page resources and should be read before submitting an application for alternative provision.

 

 

Southwark's secondary Pupil Referral Unit is SILS (Southwark Inclusive Learning Service).

A PRU is a type of school for children who are unable to be educated in a mainstream school. Pupils are often referred if they need greater care and support than their school can provide. Pupils may be registered solely with the PRU or be dual registered, attending both their mainstream school and the PRU on a part-time basis. PRUs tend to be staffed by highly qualified and experienced teachers, who have expertise in dealing with SEN (special educational needs), emotional and behavioural difficulties.  Southwark's secondary PRU

silsschools.org