Non-School Alternative Provision Directory
The Non-School Alternative Providers listed below have been quality assured by Shropshire Council.
However, schools and other educational settings are responsible for ensuring that pupils accessing alternative provision (AP) are safe and able to learn and achieve. In line with the DfE’s 2025 statutory guidance, before commissioning an AP provider, schools must carry out appropriate quality assurance checks and confirm that providers are not operating as unregistered independent schools.
According to the law, if a provider offers:
- full-time education to five or more children,
- full-time education to one child with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), or
- full-time education to one looked after child,
Then the provider must be registered as an independent school. State-maintained schools must not commission AP from such providers until registration is confirmed. Where there are concerns that providers are acting as unregistered schools, this must be reported.
Ofsted's school inspection framework highlights that when pupils attend off-site AP, inspectors will evaluate how well these placements keep pupils safe and promote their progress. Inspectors will visit a sample of providers and will want to understand how settings ensure the safety of pupils who attend multiple or part-time placements.
DfE guidance stipulates that “Schools should always inform the local authority when they commission a placement in alternative provision for a child to ensure the local authority maintains oversight of sufficiency and safeguarding.” There will be a link coming soon for schools to inform Shropshire Council when alternative provision is commissioned for a child; in the meantime if you have any queries please contact Laura Goodall at Outshine (laura.goodall@shropshire.gov.uk).
Although the Local Authority undertakes an initial quality assurance process, school leaders should note that the school retains ultimate responsibility for any child on its roll. It should not be taken as any form of endorsement of any provider.
It is imperative that schools confirm both safeguarding arrangements and the quality of education with the provider. A template is available for schools to complete these checks; please contact eqa@shropshire.gov.uk for a copy.
For more information and advice about the use of AP linked to support prevention of suspension/exclusion or in connection with Section 19 please see the Education Access Service pages.
If you are an alternative provider wishing to be included in the directory, please email Laura.Goodall@shropshire.gov.uk
For further details, refer to the latest DfE statutory guidance: