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, LA’s and parent/carers can feel confident in the services we provide.
· 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
