Alternative provision

When using alternative providers, the following must be considered:

• if they do not hold a DfE number they must not offer full-time education to more than four pupils
• all four pupils must not have an Education Health and Care Plan and must not be a Child in Care
• they must not offer full-time education to any pupil with an Education Health and Care plan or to any Child in Care
• those that do not hold a DfE number cannot offer roll status

Whilst there is no legal definition of full-time education, an alternative provider is considered to be offering full-time education if it is intended to provide, or does provide, all, or substantially all, of a pupil's education.

Generally, any alternative provision offering more than 18 hours per week is likely to be providing full-time education.

For further information on national standards for good alternative provision, visit Alternative Provision – Statutory Guidance for local authorities on the GOV.UK website.