Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Alternative Provision Settings

Monday 16 January 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department is implementing reforms to improve outcomes for children in alternative provision settings.
  • The Minister acknowledges concerns about poor outcomes in some alternative provision settings and is excited about upcoming proposals to transform them.
  • The Department is developing a national framework for alternative provision that will address standards and sustainable post-16 education options.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rob Butler
Education
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.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to help improve outcomes in alternative provision settings?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding ensuring high-quality teaching and welfare support was not directly addressed with concrete actions or timelines.

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Q2 Rob Butler
Crime & Law Enforcement Education
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or commitments to prevent AP from becoming a dumping ground for difficult pupils were not provided.

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Q3 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Education
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline or amount for additional revenue funding was not provided, only an indication of future discussions.

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