SCG non-registered Alternative Provision:
Why choose us?
The Department for Education’s latest guidance on Alternative Provision brings welcome clarity around the use of unregistered providers.
We have created a dedicated team who have a wealth of experience in creating and delivering outcome focused programmes and interventions, that are accessible and tailored to meet the needs of the learners.
The updated guidance recognises the valuable role unregistered providers can play while ensuring appropriate safeguards and operating procedures are in place.
With our careful planning and due diligence, schools, colleges, local authorities and parent/carers can feel confident in the services we provide.
New figures reveal that Sports Coaching Group has delivered almost 340 Alternative Provision (AP) education sessions between March 2026 and the end of July 2026.
Read more about this here.
Within that, each student’s timetable is shaped around their individual needs, so no two programmes look the same.
Many young people benefit from work that goes beyond the traditional curriculum, particularly when they need support with mental health, confidence, behaviour, or emotional regulation.
For this reason, we run several part‑time programmes focused on wellbeing and personal development.
A full-day with us typically blends workshops with practical, hands‑on activities, all planned around what each young person requires.
This can include structured tasks, physical activity, mentoring, routine‑building, or skills‑based sessions.
Our AP is based at Sportszone in Sandbach and combines structured sports coaching with SEMH support and personalised programmes.
It’s particularly well‑suited to pupils who thrive through movement‑based learning and small‑group environments.
Sessions prioritise safety, positive routines, and re‑engagement with education, all aligned with school plans and SMART outcomes.
Here are the stepping stones to what we offer:
· Clear communication from your initial referral to review;
· High quality flexible approach to achieving progress and outcomes;
· Experienced staff providing a safe and inclusive environment;
· Robust policies and procedures;
· Consistent informative updates;
· Secure access to attendance.
Unregistered alternative provision refers to provision that is not a registered school or college.
We can offer flexible opportunities for pupils, whilst operating within specific parameters to remain legally unregistered.
The DfE states: “Local authorities and schools CAN arrange alternative provision in settings which are not schools or colleges.”
Unregistered providers can only give a student a maximum of 16 hours of provision per week.
The updated guidance emphasises that commissioners (schools or local authorities) retain full safeguarding duties when placing pupils with unregistered providers.
You must:
Obtain written confirmation of appropriate staff safeguarding checks;
Ensure robust systems for monitoring attendance;
Maintain records of all site locations pupils may attend;
Know where pupils are during school hours;
Follow up promptly on any unexplained absences.
Many areas now use quality assurance frameworks for unregistered provision, with local authorities, schools and providers working together.
We are quality assured by Cheshire East Council to read more on this click here.
Heere are some of the standards we adhere to:
Define clear local standards;
Assess providers against safeguarding requirements;
Review accommodation quality;
Evaluate education provision;
Enable providers to demonstrate compliance before commissioning;
Best Practice for Schools.
These are our guidelines when working with unregistered providers:
Conduct thorough due diligence before placement;
Document all safeguarding arrangements;
Maintain regular oversight of pupil progress;
Keep accurate attendance records;
Review placements frequently;
Ensure clear communication channels.
The updated guidance recognises the valuable role unregistered providers can play while ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place.
The key is striking the right balance between flexibility and oversight.
With careful planning and due diligence, schools should feel confident in working with unregistered providers who meet standards and operate within legal parameters, while maintaining robust monitoring systems to ensure pupil safety and educational progress.
When properly managed, unregistered alternative provision can:
Provide specialist support tailored to individual needs;
Offer flexibility in meeting pupil requirements;
Complement mainstream education;
Help re-engage disaffected learners;
Support successful reintegration.
The student management system we use is DCPro Alternative Provision.
It is transforming how schools, local authorities and education providers manage students in alternative settings, offering a streamlined, cloud-based solution for attendance, timetabling and progress tracking.
Designed with flexibility and efficiency in mind, the platform brings together key areas of student management into one central system.
It supports a wide range of cohorts, including SEND, EOTAS, permanently excluded (PEX), children missing education (CME) and looked after children (LAC), helping organisations stay informed and responsive at all times.
At its core, DCPro enables real-time attendance tracking, allowing tutors and providers to log updates instantly via mobile or desktop.
This ensures accurate, up-to-date records and supports faster safeguarding and welfare responses where needed.
The system also offers adaptable timetabling, making it easy to create and adjust schedules around individual student needs.
Integration with existing school management information systems helps reduce duplication and keeps data flowing seamlessly between platforms.
Progress monitoring is another key strength.
Staff can track academic performance alongside pastoral development, set personalised targets and measure outcomes over time.
This holistic view supports more informed decision-making and better long-term planning for each learner.
In addition, DCPro provides detailed reporting tools, enabling users to filter data by school, provider or cohort.
Virtual school functionality also allows for more focused oversight of specific groups, improving accountability across the board.
Referral and placement management is built into the system, simplifying the process of allocating students to appropriate provisions and managing transitions, including permanent exclusions.
With mobile accessibility on both Android and iOS, the platform ensures that staff can stay connected and manage responsibilities on the go.
By centralising data, enhancing transparency and supporting the needs of vulnerable learners, DCPro Alternative Provision is helping education providers deliver more effective, joined-up support in an increasingly complex landscape.
About Charlie:
“I joined Emphasis CIC and Sports Coaching Group in 2024 as Commercial Director, with a strong focus on growth, partnerships and creating sustainable opportunities across sport and education.
“Since joining the organisation, I have played a key role in strengthening commercial relationships, supporting new projects, and helping drive forward initiatives that expand participation opportunities for young people and communities.
“This has included growing our Alternative Provision services.
“My work centres around building long-term partnerships that not only support organisational growth but also enhance the impact of programmes delivered on the ground.
“During my spare time I play golf and in the past I have been heavily involved in cricket including being chairman of a local cricket club.”
About Joe:
“I’ve worked in youth engagement and mentoring for around five years, and I’m genuinely passionate about supporting young people who don’t always thrive in traditional mainstream education.
“I believe every child deserves an environment that’s tailored to their individual needs, where they can feel motivated, understood, and able to succeed.
“I use sport as a vehicle to build engagement, confidence, and positive routines, helping young people reconnect with learning in a way that feels right for them.
“Outside of work, I’m a huge sports enthusiast and spend most weekends playing padel, golf, and cricket.
“I also love socialising with family and friends and really appreciate the simple, everyday moments in life.”
Qualifications:
Youth Mental Health First Aid trained;
Level 3 Designated Safeguard Lead;
UEFA C License FA;
Level 2 ECB Cricket;
Prevent Training;
Advanced Safeguarding Children Awareness;
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion;
GDPR Training.
About Dan:
“I’m passionate about helping young people build confidence, feel that they are supported, and that they recognise their own potential through sport.
“I wanted to work in Alternative Provision because I believe every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed in an environment where they feel understood, valued, and supported.
“The most rewarding part of my role is seeing young people grow in confidence and achieve things they may not have believed were possible especially in sport.
“With my help, I hope young people leave with greater self-belief, resilience, and better confidence to move forward positively.
“Outside of work, I enjoy playing cricket and Padel and love spending time with family and friends and making the most of everyday.”
About Sam:
“I have worked across education for 3+ years, gaining experience in more than 60+ schools across Cheshire/Staffordshire.
I work within Alternative Provision because I want to help create meaningful change in the lives of the students we support. Our AP provides an opportunity to offer young people new perspectives, develop positive mindsets and help them recognise their own potential.
For me, Alternative Provision is about more than simply education. It allows students to step back, see the bigger picture and discover lessons that extend beyond the classroom. Through building positive relationships, creating new experiences and providing the right support, we aim to help young people make real lasting and meaningful changes for themselves and their futures.”
About Sportscape Education:
We work in partnership with Sportscape Education to provide accreddited qualifications within our Alternative Provision services.
These include stand alone qualifications through 1st 4 Sport and Leadership Skills Foundation.
We’re proud of this partnership to be able to offer accredited qualifications to our students.
View Sportscape Education website here.
Every young person has the potential to succeed.
Sometimes, they simply need the right environment, the right support and someone who believes in them.
At Sports Coaching Group, our Alternative Provision (AP) programme is designed to do exactly that.
Working alongside schools, local authorities and virtual schools, we use sport, mentoring and positive relationships to help young people overcome barriers, improve wellbeing and re-engage with learning.
One recent success story perfectly demonstrates the life-changing impact that personalised Alternative Provision can have.
Building trust through sport
When Charles joined Sports Coaching Group’s Alternative Provision programme in January 2026 through Sefton Virtual School, he arrived with little confidence and understandably found it difficult to engage.
Rather than placing pressure on academic outcomes from day one, our experienced coaches focused on building trust.
Through weekly sessions involving running, boxing, padel, fitness training and a variety of sporting activities, Charles gradually became more comfortable, began engaging with coaches and developed a positive routine.
Sport became more than just physical activity, it became the foundation for meaningful conversations, positive relationships and personal growth.
Supporting mental wellbeing
Like many young people accessing Alternative Provision, Charles had experienced significant challenges with his mental health.
As his confidence in our coaching team grew, he felt able to speak openly about his experiences and the difficulties he had faced.
Our coaches provided a safe, non-judgemental environment where discussions happened naturally alongside physical activity.
Together, they explored healthy coping strategies including exercise, goal setting, breathing techniques and emotional regulation.
This combination of mentoring and movement became a powerful tool in helping Charles develop resilience and confidence.
Discovering new confidence
Over the following months, Charles’ transformation became increasingly clear.
He pushed himself physically, progressing from struggling through longer runs to completing challenging hill climbs without hesitation.
He committed to regular gym sessions outside of his coaching programme and embraced new sports including basketball, cricket, tennis and boccia.
More importantly, he began setting his own goals.
Instead of simply attending sessions, he became fully invested in his own development, asking questions, seeking advice and taking ownership of his future.
Looking ahead with purpose
One of the greatest successes of Alternative Provision is helping young people rediscover ambition.
As Charles’ confidence grew, conversations naturally shifted from the challenges he faced each day to what he wanted to achieve in the future.
He spoke positively about returning to college, discussed career opportunities and developed a clear ambition to pursue a plumbing apprenticeship.
This growing sense of purpose reflected just how far he had progressed.
A journey measured by more than attendance
Throughout the six-month programme, Charles attended 35 out of 39 sessions, achieving an impressive 89.7% attendance rate.
His commitment was matched by remarkable personal development.
By the end of the programme, he had:
One of the programme’s defining moments came during the final weeks when Charles successfully completed a run to the summit of The Cloud, in Cheshire.
For many, it would simply be a fitness challenge.
For Charles, it symbolised six months of determination, resilience and personal growth.
The difference Alternative Provision can make
Every referral into Sports Coaching Group’s Alternative Provision programme is unique.
Some young people need help rebuilding confidence.
Others require additional emotional support, positive role models or a different way of engaging with education.
Our experienced coaches work alongside schools, virtual schools and local authorities to create personalised programmes that combine sport, mentoring and wellbeing support to help young people achieve meaningful, lasting outcomes.
Charles’ journey is a reminder that Alternative Provision isn’t simply about providing somewhere different to learn.
It’s about helping young people believe in themselves again.
It’s about creating opportunities where barriers once existed.
And it’s about giving every young person the confidence, resilience and life skills they need to build a brighter future.
If your school, academy, local authority or virtual school is looking for a trusted Alternative Provision partner, Sports Coaching Group can provide bespoke programmes that inspire engagement, improve wellbeing and help young people reach their full potential.
To find out more about our Alternative Provision services, contact [email protected] and discover how we can support the young people in your care.
Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education programmes help young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to manage everyday life.
They cover topics such as health and wellbeing, relationships, personal safety and financial awareness, supporting pupils to make informed decisions and become responsible members of society.
The 5 Ways to Wellbeing is a comprehensive six-week programme specifically designed to explore and implement the core pillars of mental health.
Chair-based exercise is an effective form of low-impact physical activity that allows people to stay active while remaining safely supported.
By performing gentle movements while seated, individuals can improve strength, flexibility and circulation without placing strain on the joints.
This type of exercise is particularly beneficial for older adults or those with limited mobility, helping to maintain independence, boost confidence and support overall physical and mental wellbeing.
