Alternative Provision Settings 2023-01-16
2023-01-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question stems from concerns about the quality and effectiveness of alternative provision (AP) settings for children who face barriers to learning or have medical needs. There is a specific concern that AP should not become a 'dumping ground' for difficult pupils excluded from mainstream schools.
What steps her Department is taking to help improve outcomes in alternative provision settings?
Our ambitious AP reforms aim to provide the right support for children with medical needs or behaviour barriers at the right time. The Minister acknowledges some poor outcomes in certain settings but expresses excitement about proposals that will transform AP and ensure better quality. She is open to further discussion on this topic.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask regarding ensuring high-quality teaching and welfare support was not directly addressed with concrete actions or timelines.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concerns about alternative provision being a dumping ground for difficult pupils, lacking high-quality teaching and welfare support. The Youth Justice Board has highlighted the need for improvement in AP standards.
Many of the children I have met in the youth justice system have been excluded from mainstream schools and instead sent to alternative provision. Standards are often very good, but sadly that is far from always the case. What action is the Minister taking to ensure that alternative provision is not a dumping ground for difficult pupils who mainstream schools want to exclude?
The Minister acknowledges the concern about poor outcomes in some AP settings but expresses excitement about upcoming proposals that will transform AP. She is open to discussing these reforms further with the questioner.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions or commitments to prevent AP from becoming a dumping ground for difficult pupils were not provided.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A constituent with a son diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma needs online tuition but cannot get it from the local college due to funding limitations. This highlights the need for additional revenue funding for colleges to provide necessary support.
Funding for alternative provision for children who are unwell peters out after the age of 16. There was no mention of colleges in last November's autumn statement. I spoke to a constituent in Devon this morning whose son has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and is unable to get the online tuition he needs from our local college. When will colleges receive additional revenue funding so they are able to afford alternative provision for children diagnosed with illnesses like my constituent?
As part of the reforms, a bespoke national AP framework is being developed that includes looking at standards and sustainable post-16 destinations. The Minister expresses willingness to discuss further with the hon. Gentleman upon proposal publication.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific timeline or amount for additional revenue funding was not provided, only an indication of future discussions.
Response accuracy